2024 Edmonton Elks

[bone]

I don't mean to pile on here. Tre has some natural, unrealized talent. And he could well be a star in this league. However...

1. Last year he was seen chumming around with the opposing team after a loss. Weird.

2. He was seen after a game having dinner on his own rather than with the team. Weird.

3. Despite being a Chris Jones draft pick, he doesn't seem to be a Chris Jones guy. Weird.

4. And now this. He refuses to go in for select plays. Weird.

I mean... this is all very weird.

He won't be on this team next year.

Yeah, I was willing to look past some of those earlier things last year, but this latest one is such a red flag (if Jones' portrayal of it is accurate) that I'd be very cautious of a team investing too heavily into this guy.

It's sounding a tiny bit like a Steamin' Willie Beamen thing going on here. Might win you a few games for a year or so while entertaining everyone and winning their hearts, but over time teammates stop playing for a guy like this.

All that said, I don't trust Jones nearly enough to completely buy what was said as 100% accurate on the radio the other day.

[Looner]

Sounds like Moncrief and Oakman are practicing with the 1's this week

[Moose Head]

Yeah, I was willing to look past some of those earlier things last year, but this latest one is such a red flag (if Jones' portrayal of it is accurate) that I'd be very cautious of a team investing too heavily into this guy.

It's sounding a tiny bit like a Steamin' Willie Beamen thing going on here. Might win you a few games for a year or so while entertaining everyone and winning their hearts, but over time teammates stop playing for a guy like this.

All that said, I don't trust Jones nearly enough to completely buy what was said as 100% accurate on the radio the other day.

I know what you mean, but has Tre come out and stated otherwise? I really don't see much reason for Jones to be dishonest about this. I may not like Jones' approach to many things, but misrepresenting this situation doesn't seem likely.

[Moose Head]

Either way, I think it's time to cut bait and get what they can for him. I don't see any scenario where he's back next year.

[Sectionq]

I don't mean to pile on here. Tre has some natural, unrealized talent. And he could well be a star in this league. However...

1. Last year he was seen chumming around with the opposing team after a loss. Weird.

2. He was seen after a game having dinner on his own rather than with the team. Weird.

3. Despite being a Chris Jones draft pick, he doesn't seem to be a Chris Jones guy. Weird.

4. And now this. He refuses to go in for select plays. Weird.

I mean... this is all very weird.

He won't be on this team next year.

The oddest thing for me is #3. Often times you see new GM's come in and for whatever reason, they don't like certain players because they weren't the ones that drafted, traded for or signed them. They aren't "their guys". But in the case of Ford, Jones drafted him! He wasn't forced too, he scouted him and CHOSE to draft him. Usually you see a GM try to shove "their guys" down the throats of the team because they want to be right about the player even if the player isn't ready. Not Ford.

[Moose Head]

It's possible Jones liked what he saw of Tre's talent but then got to see a different side of him that has nothing to do with talent. I'm just guessing. But there are red flags all over the place.

[Esks4ever]

It does suck, Tre has talent but perhaps his wins last season got to his head and now he doesn't belive he needs to season. Me first over team. He would be an easy sell to the fans as our future QB but it doesn't look like it'll get to that point.

I really hope they have a plan B thats not ride MBT till he can't do it anymore.

[Maas_12]

just now catching back up on this thread, been busy....and man.... ANOTHER thing of drama/disagreement with Ford and coaching staff ? This is getting untenable whichever side you stand on as being the truth.

I WANT this guy to succeed, i WANT to give Ford the benefit of the doubt (heck me and cousin treated him to meal after that home win last year when he ate alone!!) I HAVE MY doubts on Chris Jones as a coach overall, i question him, but this one if i had to judge, i dont see Jones as being that terrible to make those accusations. Where theres smoke constantly questioning Fords commitmment level, i start to reaaaly see the fire. Its hard not to. At least for me.

Away as a armchair GM, i saw it lots prior too. i see the body language on sidelines. u can read a lot from visuals, although u can accuse me of assuming but. I see him rarely engaged with MBT and truly wanting to learn the game. Sounds cheesy, but i dont see that focus in his eyes, quite literally , when on the sidelines trying to study alongside the ipad on plays that just happened. i see a guy sitting there for the ride and maybe doing just bare minimum to appear like he wants to know the plays that just occured.

im just armchair guy though

[Sectionq]

just now catching back up on this thread, been busy....and man.... ANOTHER thing of drama/disagreement with Ford and coaching staff ? This is getting untenable whichever side you stand on as being the truth.

I WANT this guy to succeed, i WANT to give Ford the benefit of the doubt (heck me and cousin treated him to meal after that home win last year when he ate alone!!) I HAVE MY doubts on Chris Jones as a coach overall, i question him, but this one if i had to judge, i dont see Jones as being that terrible to make those accusations. Where theres smoke constantly questioning Fords commitmment level, i start to reaaaly see the fire. Its hard not to. At least for me.

Away as a armchair GM, i saw it lots prior too. i see the body language on sidelines. u can read a lot from visuals, although u can accuse me of assuming but. I see him rarely engaged with MBT and truly wanting to learn the game. Sounds cheesy, but i dont see that focus in his eyes, quite literally , when on the sidelines trying to study alongside the ipad on plays that just happened. i see a guy sitting there for the ride and maybe doing just bare minimum to appear like he wants to know the plays that just occured.

im just armchair guy though

While I am not a Jones fans either, I just don't see him being foolish enough to tell Ford No you can't play, if he had a motivated player dying to do anything he can to help the team win. Doesn't make any sense. Even if you are worried about him passing, have him run the ball, do some option plays. He can clearly do that.

[Sectionq]

Listening to Sports 1440, former Esk Eddie Steele is on from 7-9 am on Fridays. Steele saying he was in a golf tournament with Odell Willis who did some coaching and he confirmed, they asked Ford to do packages and he said no. Which is why they brought in Prokop. What's even more crazy is supposedly Steele hadn't heard what Jones had said, Steele asked Odell on his own what was up as he was surprised Ford wasn't getting any reps.

At the end of the day, coaches want to win because their job depends on it so if a player is making plays, even in limited snaps, they generally give them more reps to see if the success can continue in an expanded role. I am not a Jones fans but it sounds like Jones isn't the one stopping Ford which is not good and I think a really, really bad look for Ford. He should be trying to get in as many reps as is presented to him.

I don't know who his agent is but his agent should be screaming at Ford for being an idiot and literally sabotaging himself. Usually coaches on any team want guys who are team guys willing to do anything asked, not ME guys that Ford sounds like he is.

Steele even said last season, Ford didn't come to camp in shape which is why they went with Cornelius out of camp and for so long. Not good at all.

[Sectionq]

I think the next 3 games, Ottawa back to back and the Ticats are must wins. To have a chance at salvaging their season, IMO, they have to win all 3. In saying that, unless your team is vastly superior in every aspect, beating a team 2 times in a row is extremely tough.

[Esks4ever]

It's possible Jones liked what he saw of Tre's talent but then got to see a different side of him that has nothing to do with talent. I'm just guessing. But there are red flags all over the place.

or liked his raw talent and athleticism and was thinking of converting him to a different position ?

[Looner]

Listening to Sports 1440, former Esk Eddie Steele is on from 7-9 am on Fridays. Steele saying he was in a golf tournament with Odell Willis who did some coaching and he confirmed, they asked Ford to do packages and he said no. Which is why they brought in Prokop. What's even more crazy is supposedly Steele hadn't heard what Jones had said, Steele asked Odell on his own what was up as he was surprised Ford wasn't getting any reps.

At the end of the day, coaches want to win because their job depends on it so if a player is making plays, even in limited snaps, they generally give them more reps to see if the success can continue in an expanded role. I am not a Jones fans but it sounds like Jones isn't the one stopping Ford which is not good and I think a really, really bad look for Ford. He should be trying to get in as many reps as is presented to him.

I don't know who his agent is but his agent should be screaming at Ford for being an idiot and literally sabotaging himself. Usually coaches on any team want guys who are team guys willing to do anything asked, not ME guys that Ford sounds like he is.

Steele even said last season, Ford didn't come to camp in shape which is why they went with Cornelius out of camp and for so long. Not good at all.

Thanks for the info, those are some HUGE red flags and actually makes sense

[Sectionq]

Thanks for the info, those are some HUGE red flags and actually makes sense

I get he wants to play more, he should! Every back up at every position should want to play more. They should be pushing the starters for playing time. That makes the back ups better and the starters. If you are a back up and are content to hardly/never play, then you shouldn't be on the team.

What's more puzzling to me is why Ford would do this. Why wouldn't you want some game reps? I get you want more but some is better than nothing. Practice is important but no matter how hard they practice, it's not like a game. The more game reps you get, generally it helps your development. On top of that, if Ford is unhappy and plans to leave, wouldn't it be to his benefit to at least play some so other teams can see you in action as much as possible to try and decide if they even want you? I am pretty sure other teams don't get to sit in on practice to see him work.

[Sectionq]

or liked his raw talent and athleticism and was thinking of converting him to a different position ?

Maybe that was it. Jones does LOVE to try and convert players to other positions just based on their size or athletic ability.