Esks.com
Another training camp is upon us here in Edmonton, and compared to years past, the mood in the City of Champions is rather reserved.
If anybody knows me best, you know I like to have fun with the fan base. This time last year when I would send out tweets indicating how close it was to training camp, the overwhelming response was dread from the fan base. Not having solid quarterbacking will do that.
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Prior to this season, fans have felt that the Eskimos have simply been adrift at sea with no plan on how to get back to land. The 2012 season seemed to be the “I’ve had enough moment” for the fan base.
The higher-ups at Commonwealth Stadium, however, were listening and responded by ending their relationship with then general manager Eric Tillman just prior to the team’s Eastern Semi-Final matchup with the Toronto Argonauts.
Their season came to an abrupt end that game, with the Green and Gold falling to the eventual Grey Cup champs 42-26. Despite the unfortunate ending, there was a sense that next year might be a better one for the Eskimos.
It didn’t take long for the top-dogs to start the process of righting the ship. They hired former player and longtime head scout Ed Hervey as the new General Manager, who announced during his introductory press conference that Kavis Reed will be returning as head coach.
Since that moment, most of the fan base has been energized and are looking forward to Sunday when the first on-field session takes place at Commonwealth.
The off-season was a very busy one for Hervey who was able to re-sign many pending free-agents. J.C. Sherritt, Marcus Howard, Grant Shaw, and Chris Thompson to name a few, and extending the contracts of Fred Stamps, T.J. Hill, and Donovan Alexander.
For a team that has struggled to gain respect in recent years; it was a clear indication of the belief the current players had in the shared vision of Hervey and Reed.
In free-agency, Hervey acted fast. Maybe too fast, as his opening move resulted in a $10,000 tampering charge from the league, but it was money well spent.
Hervey landed defensive end Odell Willis giving the Eskimos a formidable pass rush with Howard, Brandon Lang, Donny Oramasionwu, Ted Laurent, and Almondo Sewell already in the mix.
Hervey says he needs his defence to pressure the quarterback much better than they did last season.
Alright, I can’t go on anymore on without talking about the biggest move of the off-season. It was the acquisition of quarterback Mike Reilly from the B.C. Lions via trade two weeks before the start of CFL free-agency.
Hervey knew he needed to upgrade the quarterback position and didn’t want to let Reilly hit the free-agent market and enter a bidding war. Now Reilly comes into training camp in a highly publicized battle for the starter’s job with Matt Nichols.
We don’t have much of a resume from both Reilly and Nichols. Reilly was a three-year backup with the B.C. Lions, working under former CFL Most Outstanding Player Travis Lulay.
During his first start last season in October vs. the Eskimos, Reilly showed poise and confidence. Not letting an early interception get in his head, hee simply got better as the game wore on and lead the Lions to 20 point win.
He would go on to lose the next two games but people in the know who’ve watched Reilly believe he’s the real deal.
The same can be said for Nichols who’s fully recovered from a horrific dislocated ankle injury which occurred in the Eastern Semi-Final. 
Nichols is 0-2 as starter and looked better last season as a backup coming off the bench. Nichols has earned the respect of his teammates who believe they have a winner and leader in the huddle. Now Nichols has to show he can get the job done from the first snap of the game.
Nichols and Reilly look the same in stature and style. It’ll come down to who executes better in training camp and in the two pre-season games, and whether or one can truly separate himself from the other going into the regular season.
As much as the quarterback battle will be focused on, the offensive line should be getting a lot of attention as well. The only real lock is Simeon Rottier who shifts from left guard to right guard, and hopes to stay healthy this season.
The O-line has been a lightning rod for criticism for years. Hervey isn’t holding back either saying it’s time for the offensive front to start answering the questions directed at them from the critics. If they can’t protect the quarterback and move the line of scrimmage, it’s going to be another long season in Edmonton.
Hervey has shown a lack of hesitation to say what he wants to see from his team this year. A tough, nasty, skilled team that is able to dictate their style of play to the opposition.
Hervey has revamped his secondary to become bigger and tougher with additions of Marcell Young and Chris Rwabukamba. He’s added bigger bodies to his special teams through trade (Nathan Kanya) and the CFL Draft.
He says the Eskimos have been a “non-factor” for too long now. It’s hard to predict as to where the Eskimos will finish in what should be a very competitive West Division this season.
With a fan base wanting something positive and hopeful coming from their football team, it’s up to the Green and Gold to show the return of true Eskimos football is imminent.
