THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
With files from Esks.com
EDMONTON — Marcus Howard says he can hardly wait to get back to doing summersaults with the Eskimos’ D-line.
Held to just four games last year as a result of half as many thumb surgeries, the 29-year-old says his hand is getting better day by day, and that he’ll be ready to go by the time June arrives.
O-lines and especially CFL pivots, take notice: health, hunger and a recent contract extension mean the Esks’ front four is set to make full reunion.
“I am motivated,” Howard told Esks.com. “I am ready to play.”
“You know I haven’t played since July last year. I tried to come back last year and I suffered an injury to my hand again, so you know I just want to get back out there.”
Howard exploded onto the scene in 2011, recording 11 sacks in his rookie season before injuries limited his production the following season. In 2013, however, the six-foot-one, 245-pound rush end returned to his rookie form, reaching 10 sacks and 29 defensive tackles.
If the pattern continues, he’s in for another double digit sack season in 2015, one year after the Eskimos’ defensive line ascended among the CFL ranks under first-year head coach Chris Jones. Under Jones, regarded as a defensive mad scientist, the Esks’ defence placed second in the league with 55 sacks, despite Howard’s absence.
“Those guys had a great season offensively and defensively and they were so close to making it to the Grey Cup,” Howard told the team’s official website. “Hopefully I can get back and help them make a push to the Grey Cup.”
The overall turnaround under Jones combined with the aggressive high tempo the former defensive coordinator installed made it a no-brainer for Howard to sign a new contract.
“Edmonton is my home,” said Howard on the contract extension. “They’ve been loyal to me and I feel like I should be loyal to them. They stayed with me when I had a couple of injuries in the past and I’ve come back and rewarded them, and hopefully I can do the same thing next year.”
“The defence, for us it started with being disciplined,” he continued. “From day one he had a focus on being disciplined, and you got to do your own specific job. He brought that real attacking style.”
“The year before that we didn’t have that attacking style, and I feel like that attacking style really helped the defence out. I wish I could have been out there more, but hopefully I can be next year.
If Howard gets his wish and is able to contribute fully throughout 2015, look for the Eskimos to challenge for this year’s sack title.
Odell Willis and Almondo Sewell are each set to return to the Esks’ lineup after combining for 22 sacks last year, while Eddie Steele, Gregory Alexandre, Willie Jefferson and Cameron Sheffield also return after making steady contributions.
“It’s as strong as it’s ever been,” said Howard of his D-line.
