Scouting the Esks
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/10/2009 (5844 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
RECORD: 6-6, third in the West.
On the road: 2-3
VS. the east: 3-2
OFFENSIVE RANKINGS: Overall scoring: 4th (25.9 points per game); passing: 1st (3,608 yards per game); rushing: 7th (94.2 yards per game). Defensive rankings: Overall scoring: 8th (30.8 points per game); passing: 8th (301.2 yards per game); rushing: 4th (106.2 yards per game).
TURNOVER RATIO: -11 (6th overall)
THE QB
No. 15 Ricky Ray: In his seventh season in the CFL, Ray is among the league’s top three quarterbacks with Henry Burris and Anthony Calvillo. Nicknamed Frito Ray when he first came to the CFL for his old job as delivery man on a potato-chip truck. A two-time Grey Cup champion and the second-ranked passer in the league through 12 games with 272 completions on 398 attempts for 3,416 yards and 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
Quick take: Simply one of the best. Tremendous vision and a quick release to match, Ray can dink and dunk up and down the field with precision. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he can take a pounding. Stopping Ray is easier said than done, but it’s critical to success against the Eskimos.
OFFENSIVE WEAPONRY
No. 2 Fred Stamps, SB: Stepped forward in 2008 as a receiving threat with 50 catches for 751 yards and six touchdowns and has stepped it up this year to be the No. 1 target in the Eskimos offence. Stamps has 50 catches for 831 yards and six TDs. With an average of 16.6 yards per catch, Stamps is a big-play threat and is excellent with the ball after the catch.
No. 36 Arkee Whitlock, RB: Infamously known in CFL circles for dropping a pair of sure-thing touchdown passes in his first game with the Esks this season against Montreal. Since then, he’s done lots to make people forget his rocky start with 670 yards on 127 carries and seven touchdowns. Has fumbled five times and lost four of them.
DEFENSIVE STOPPERS
No. 93 Kai Ellis, DE: The former Bomber has 47 tackles and four sacks while playing on the line. Nice mix of speed and strength. Was sent from Winnipeg to Edmonton in exchange for linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz in the off-season.
No. 47 Maurice Lloyd, LB: An impact hitter with 35 tackles and three sacks. When he’s in the game and flying around, the Eskimos are much better on defence. Smallish at 5-foot-11, 235 pounds, he can be diminished with a strong blocking running back or fullback.
THE SPECIALISTS
No. 7 Noel Prefontaine, K: Veteran kicker has hit on 20 of 24 attempts, with a long of 49 yards. Also handles punting duties and with his non-import status is the envy of most clubs.
No. 38 Tristan Jackson, KR: One of the league’s most exciting return men with 846 yards on 41 kick returns and 590 yards on 46 punt returns with one TD. Fast and shifty, always a threat.
— Lawless
