The hockey team is having a problem scoring goals and winning games and the football team is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second season in a row. It’s enough to turn even the happiest of Klondike Girls into a shrieking shrew of doom, and it would seem that she would have lots of company.
While the Oilers have at least six months to get back on track, Danny Maciocia’s Eskimos have no such luxury; in fact the season in the eyes of many is over. No mathematical equation it seems is possible that is going to lead to an Eskimo appearance in the post season. And that has many in the city calling for drastic changes to the once flagship franchise of Canadian football.
Most likely to be sacrificed to the Gods of football in Northern Alberta will be the head coach, who has watched his squad stumble down the stretch in two consecutive seasons. Despite the injury to starting quarterback Ricky Ray, which has taken him out of the line up for the rest of the season, there is no mercy rule forthcoming from the supporters of the Green and Gold.
From the radio talk shows to the newspaper columnists, the changes that are to come must include Maciocia, who despite taking the Esks to the Grey Cup two years ago. That was yesterday it seems and this is today. In the eyes of the Eskimo fan, this team has about as much chance of winning a Grey Cup anytime soon, as the Liberals have of sweeping Alberta in the next Federal election. There are those that are preaching patience, even a rival coach has sympathy for the Eskimos plight, but those sentiments it seems are few and far between.
The sin of Eskimo football besides not winning, is losing in horrible ways, self destructing on the field and seemingly becoming incapable of clawing their way back from defeat as past guardians of the game did while wearing Green and Gold.
Even worse, they were only occasionally entertaining this year, offensively struggling under a new system put in place by Jacques Chapdelaine. He joined the Eskimos as offensive co-coordinator after leaving Wally Buono’s staff in the off season. The only problem with the move was that unlike Buono’s Lions who featured great depth in most positions, the Eskimos seemed to be one bad hit away from disaster game after game.
Chapdelaine it seems was ordained to become the head coach in short order, once Maciocia was moved up into the executive offices. After this disappointing season, that prospect must seem as remote a possibility as there could be. In fact Chapdelaine, may be just as likely to be move out as is Maciocia, who surely must feel like a Dead Man Walking with every snap of the ball.
Depending on the volume of the fans and the ability of the Eskimos board and management to hear, there may be a number of vacancies coming up shortly. If the members of the Eskimo board have a radio or read a newspaper, their decisions have already been made!
While the Oilers have at least six months to get back on track, Danny Maciocia’s Eskimos have no such luxury; in fact the season in the eyes of many is over. No mathematical equation it seems is possible that is going to lead to an Eskimo appearance in the post season. And that has many in the city calling for drastic changes to the once flagship franchise of Canadian football.
Most likely to be sacrificed to the Gods of football in Northern Alberta will be the head coach, who has watched his squad stumble down the stretch in two consecutive seasons. Despite the injury to starting quarterback Ricky Ray, which has taken him out of the line up for the rest of the season, there is no mercy rule forthcoming from the supporters of the Green and Gold.
From the radio talk shows to the newspaper columnists, the changes that are to come must include Maciocia, who despite taking the Esks to the Grey Cup two years ago. That was yesterday it seems and this is today. In the eyes of the Eskimo fan, this team has about as much chance of winning a Grey Cup anytime soon, as the Liberals have of sweeping Alberta in the next Federal election. There are those that are preaching patience, even a rival coach has sympathy for the Eskimos plight, but those sentiments it seems are few and far between.
The sin of Eskimo football besides not winning, is losing in horrible ways, self destructing on the field and seemingly becoming incapable of clawing their way back from defeat as past guardians of the game did while wearing Green and Gold.
Even worse, they were only occasionally entertaining this year, offensively struggling under a new system put in place by Jacques Chapdelaine. He joined the Eskimos as offensive co-coordinator after leaving Wally Buono’s staff in the off season. The only problem with the move was that unlike Buono’s Lions who featured great depth in most positions, the Eskimos seemed to be one bad hit away from disaster game after game.
Chapdelaine it seems was ordained to become the head coach in short order, once Maciocia was moved up into the executive offices. After this disappointing season, that prospect must seem as remote a possibility as there could be. In fact Chapdelaine, may be just as likely to be move out as is Maciocia, who surely must feel like a Dead Man Walking with every snap of the ball.
Depending on the volume of the fans and the ability of the Eskimos board and management to hear, there may be a number of vacancies coming up shortly. If the members of the Eskimo board have a radio or read a newspaper, their decisions have already been made!
Don Barnes, Edmonton Journal-One embarrassing mess
Bob Stauffer, Edmonton Sun- Eski-woes extend off the field
Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun- Fall Follies a sequel
Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun- Uncomfortable shoes
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