Game #18 vs the stumps

[Esks4ever]

I was surprised that Ford listed at 3, I was thinking something this morning after seeing the depth chart , is it possible that Cody and Tre had a deal that , Cody would play out this season as starter , than leave during FA and hand the reins back to Tre ??

I have no clue... its possible, but so is Ford being a dick, Killem being a dick - the comments by killem the famous " Tre has a future in the CFL" comment.

I seriously give up trying to figure out wtf is going on.....

[Esks4ever]

If that was the case, why would they not give Tre at least some reps today and split them with Snyder. This depth chart is confirmation that their intent is to extend Fajardo. The only way Ford sticks around is if Fajardo tells them to pound sand and refuses to sign.

Either that or it's Killam wanting to ensure Calgary doesn't get a home game in the playoffs and is going with who he considers his best chance to do so. But even that would be a bad sign if your coach is more concerned about sticking it to his former employer than doing what he thinks is best for the development of next year's team.

killam does still have that Calgary stink on him... just like when Wally Buano ( i know i'm misspelling it.. dont care ) was hired and IMO he did sweet **** all that benefited the Elks....

[Esks4ever]

Yeah I don't see Ford coming back under any circumstances if he's listed as the 3rd stringer and doesn't see the field in the final game. Killam's response when asked about him in a recent interview sends a crystal clear message IMO. If there was even a chance for him to stay they would be giving him starter's reps in practice and giving him the final game in its entirety to see what he's learned sitting on the bench for most of the season. Alternatively if they wanted to get rid of him they would not give him a sniff in the final game because if they did and he blows the doors off in the game then what do they do? He's done like dinner and unless he really is a cancer in the room which I doubt then I think it's a shame and might come back to bite us. The one significant difference between them is that Fajardo is a vocal rah rah guy that appears to make him a great leader and I think that Killam really likes that while Ford seems pretty quiet which I don't think MK is a fan of at least not at the QB position as you don't see a lot of those. The last quiet guy I can remember that was a successful QB in this league was Ricky Ray.

Just spitballing...... Maybe Killam being a rookie head coach doesn't want the warts that would come with a young inexperienced QB during his first year as HC... he has enough to do/learn and went with Cody because Cody can coach himself

[cmbuk]

Every season we have this Ford vs whoever
then Ford vs the staff

etc etc

we genuinely spend a lot of time talking about potential…

whatever the reasons are that Ford can’t win or keep a starting spot here will eventually come to light

personally I really hope synder gets a half tomorrow regardless
I’d be happy with a qtr and I’m happy Calhoun is getting a start

[bone]

Every season we have this Ford vs whoever
then Ford vs the staff

etc etc

we genuinely spend a lot of time talking about potential…

whatever the reasons are that Ford can’t win or keep a starting spot here will eventually come to light

personally I really hope synder gets a half tomorrow regardless
I’d be happy with a qtr and I’m happy Calhoun is getting a start

Even though I've been floating the Ford thing, I agree that I'd like to see Snyder tonight. The only part I'm not big on is bothering to play Cody at all unless it's to set him up for a performance bonus that he's really close to, which would be a nice gesture.

edit to add
Looking at the ones in this article, https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/c...edmonton-elks/ the only one I think that could apply is the single game bonus of $3500 for 51% of the snaps as he already hit the 10 game mark and can't hit the 15 game one and all the other ones are already settled.

If it's only about giving him an extra $3500, I'm sure they could find a way to add that to the next contract as a signing bonus so they should be using this opportunity to get a look at Snyder and maybe giving Ford some snaps against a Calgary team that's going to want to win to keep the chance of home field advantage in the semi-final alive.

[Esks4ever]

Every season we have this Ford vs whoever
then Ford vs the staff

etc etc

we genuinely spend a lot of time talking about potential…

whatever the reasons are that Ford can’t win or keep a starting spot here will eventually come to light

personally I really hope synder gets a half tomorrow regardless
I’d be happy with a qtr and I’m happy Calhoun is getting a start

I would love to see synder play as well.

[Looner]

Specifically looking at the teams they both played this year:

vs. BC
Ford (x2) 22-39 (56%), 210 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT, Team points for 28
Fajardo (x1) 19-34 (56%), 230 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT Team points for 24

vs Montreal
Ford - 27/36 (75%), 308 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, team points for 28
Fajardo - 27/38 (71%), 289 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, team points for 23

vs. Winnipeg
Ford - 18/29 (62%), 252 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, team points for 23
Fajardo - 13/24 (54%), 142 yards, 0TD, 0 INT, team points for 25

vs. Ottawa
Ford - 15/17 (88%), 212 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, team points for 39
Fajardo - 22/28 (81%), 270 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, team points for 30

I'll grant that it's at different points in the season with defenses are more established for Fajardo for some of those, but I'd also argue Fajardo had the benefit of an Oline that had settled down a bit, a much better running threat from Rankin, and a defense that turned the ball twice as often as the defense did during Ford's games.

So I have hard time seeing how Fajardo is viewed as somehow so much superior that it suggests ending Ford's career unless there is something that isn't performance based.

thanks for this, pretty much confirms there is more to the situation then on field product.

[dealerd]

I have no clue... its possible, but so is Ford being a dick, Killem being a dick - the comments by killem the famous " Tre has a future in the CFL" comment.

I seriously give up trying to figure out wtf is going on.....

I’m totally agreeing with you, I haven’t heard anything bad about Tre being a dick this year with Cody , just that they work great together , and we won’t get tru answers until free agency opens is my guess

[Sectionq]

My point is that it has to be something more than whether he "has it" or not. It's not like he was totally terrible in the first four games, he just needed to get through his reads better but this was also at a time where the oline never gave anyone more than 2 steam boats before the backfield was flooded with the other teams d-line, but he still generated at a similar clip to Fajardo in terms of points without the benefit of all the turnovers the defense gave Fajardo as the season progressed.

Totally giving up on a guy that 2 months earlier was considered your long term starter with a multi-year contract with guaranteed money over what was 4 average games with stats similar to VAJ and Rourke over that same span then one really bad game makes absolutely no sense unless there is something else that happened not related to performance.

It's not even like we can point to anti-canadian bias as a Canadian HC with a Canadian OC you'd think would only want to see a Canadian succeed more than their american counterparts. Ford clearly has said some bad **** to the wrong guy (or guys). Wonder if he called out the Oline for their terrible start to the season.

I agree with all of what you say. I don't think Ford was completely awful either. But when he came into the league, IMO he was viewed as the following:
- Great athlete, great runner. Exciting, can make people miss, if he gets in open space, he's an extreme running threat. As a QB, he has a decent enough arm but as you said, doesn't get through his reads very well or quick enough, I don't think he read defenses well at all and I think he is inconsistent with his accuracy and touch. Flash forward into year 4 of his pro career and IMO he hasn't improved much in those areas. He still doesn't get through his reads very well, definitely not quick enough, I think he still doesn't even recognizes some defenses at all and there is still accuracy and touch issues. You make a valid point about the Oline and their struggles early on which is fair but Ford also needs a lot longer than Fajardo to recognize anything. So even with his great mobility, he needs his Oline to hold their blocks longer than they should, which IMO compounded the Oline struggles.

But at the end of the day, granted to start his career, he wasn't handled correctly, but we are in the end of his 4th pro career and the issues he had year 1 are the same. AND going into year 5, they will still be an issue if he's here. So for me, that's a big time red flag for this player and I ask the question. As much as I want him to do well because if he could somehow figure it out, with that running speed and athletic ability, he could be a big weapon, when is enough enough? 4 yrs now going into 5.

The Elks have an empty building thanks to the horrible board, bad presidents but also real bad, teams and a lot of losing football. They got a new owner who god bless him, saved the team knowing it was a long road to probably break even. They got a new President who is huge in the community, ties to the team and gets it finally! They have the right GM in my opinion who again has ties to the team, the community and gets it! But they needed to win some games. Hervey and the new coaches deserve time to make the team how it should be in their eyes, the past losing seasons weren't their fault but they still needed to hit the ground running.

They lost all their preseason games and after week 6 were 1-4. In those games, Ford's offense scored 14 pts twice, 23 pts, once. You won't win in the CFL scoring that little and they didn't. Against the ALs, they scored 28 BUT it was 28-6 after 3 quarters. The game was OVER, the ALs sat back and in garbage time, Ford put up a few scores and padded his stats. Even in the Ottawa game where they scored 39 and won, they got a 94 yard punt TD, a 74 yard Rankin run TD. Ford passed for 212 yards in that game.

So as a team, after week 6 with an empty building thanks to years of losing, your team with preseason is 1-6 and the offense is sputtering under Ford. Ford's last game as a starter against BC, he was 4/14 for 34 yards, 1 INT and his offense had produced 7 pts in 3 quarters and the score under him was 29-7 going into the 4th quarter on your home field. How do you keep throwing him Ford out there after that?

Please don't think I am coming at you because I am not. I agreed with him being named the starter because I assumed he would improve this year. He hadn't. I had hopes he would be the guy but I don't think they can keep throwing him out there hoping it clicks finally. It's been 4 yrs and it hasn't clicked yet. IMO, if they had of stuck with Ford, I don't think they would have the record they have which is only 7-10 and could very well be the same as last year 7-11.

[dealerd]

Every season we have this Ford vs whoever
then Ford vs the staff

etc etc

we genuinely spend a lot of time talking about potential…

whatever the reasons are that Ford can’t win or keep a starting spot here will eventually come to light

personally I really hope synder gets a half tomorrow regardless
I’d be happy with a qtr and I’m happy Calhoun is getting a start

I agree with you and the only way to fix the Tre issue is to give him a fresh start elsewhere , and he deserves that chance as it will ALWAYS be a contervercy as long as he is here , as for Calhoun I thought he deserved a start at the beginning of season , not sure what happened there

[dealerd]

I agree with all of what you say. I don't think Ford was completely awful either. But when he came into the league, IMO he was viewed as the following:
- Great athlete, great runner. Exciting, can make people miss, if he gets in open space, he's an extreme running threat. As a QB, he has a decent enough arm but as you said, doesn't get through his reads very well or quick enough, I don't think he read defenses well at all and I think he is inconsistent with his accuracy and touch. Flash forward into year 4 of his pro career and IMO he hasn't improved much in those areas. He still doesn't get through his reads very well, definitely not quick enough, I think he still doesn't even recognizes some defenses at all and there is still accuracy and touch issues. You make a valid point about the Oline and their struggles early on which is fair but Ford also needs a lot longer than Fajardo to recognize anything. So even with his great mobility, he needs his Oline to hold their blocks longer than they should, which IMO compounded the Oline struggles.

But at the end of the day, granted to start his career, he wasn't handled correctly, but we are in the end of his 4th pro career and the issues he had year 1 are the same. AND going into year 5, they will still be an issue if he's here. So for me, that's a big time red flag for this player and I ask the question. As much as I want him to do well because if he could somehow figure it out, with that running speed and athletic ability, he could be a big weapon, when is enough enough? 4 yrs now going into 5.

The Elks have an empty building thanks to the horrible board, bad presidents but also real bad, teams and a lot of losing football. They got a new owner who god bless him, saved the team knowing it was a long road to probably break even. They got a new President who is huge in the community, ties to the team and gets it finally! They have the right GM in my opinion who again has ties to the team, the community and gets it! But they needed to win some games. Hervey and the new coaches deserve time to make the team how it should be in their eyes, the past losing seasons weren't their fault but they still needed to hit the ground running.

They lost all their preseason games and after week 6 were 1-4. In those games, Ford's offense scored 14 pts twice, 23 pts, once. You won't win in the CFL scoring that little and they didn't. Against the ALs, they scored 28 BUT it was 28-6 after 3 quarters. The game was OVER, the ALs sat back and in garbage time, Ford put up a few scores and padded his stats. Even in the Ottawa game where they scored 39 and won, they got a 94 yard punt TD, a 74 yard Rankin run TD. Ford passed for 212 yards in that game.

So as a team, after week 6 with an empty building thanks to years of losing, your team with preseason is 1-6 and the offense is sputtering under Ford. Ford's last game as a starter against BC, he was 4/14 for 34 yards, 1 INT and his offense had produced 7 pts in 3 quarters and the score under him was 29-7 going into the 4th quarter on your home field. How do you keep throwing him Ford out there after that?

Please don't think I am coming at you because I am not. I agreed with him being named the starter because I assumed he would improve this year. He hadn't. I had hopes he would be the guy but I don't think they can keep throwing him out there hoping it clicks finally. It's been 4 yrs and it hasn't clicked yet. IMO, if they had of stuck with Ford, I don't think they would have the record they have which is only 7-10 and could very well be the same as last year 7-11.

I think that is an excellent take , and basically is the same way I feel about Ford , just think a total fresh start elsewhere is what he needs and deserves , could that be with bombers if Zach is done ? But we would lose his brother as well as they want to play together, may need to make a package deal , are we happy with Tyrel at the corner this year ?

[Esks4ever]

I get the feeling the Elks did not devise a game plan that would suit Ford's abilities. They made the scheme the same as it would be for cody It just seems like they set up Ford for complete failure from the start. Not saying Ford wouldn't have failed, but you'd think your OC/HC would devise a game plan that is best suited for you abilities. Instead it was square peg round hole.


all IMO

[bone]

I agree with all of what you say. I don't think Ford was completely awful either. But when he came into the league, IMO he was viewed as the following:
- Great athlete, great runner. Exciting, can make people miss, if he gets in open space, he's an extreme running threat. As a QB, he has a decent enough arm but as you said, doesn't get through his reads very well or quick enough, I don't think he read defenses well at all and I think he is inconsistent with his accuracy and touch. Flash forward into year 4 of his pro career and IMO he hasn't improved much in those areas. He still doesn't get through his reads very well, definitely not quick enough, I think he still doesn't even recognizes some defenses at all and there is still accuracy and touch issues. You make a valid point about the Oline and their struggles early on which is fair but Ford also needs a lot longer than Fajardo to recognize anything. So even with his great mobility, he needs his Oline to hold their blocks longer than they should, which IMO compounded the Oline struggles.

But at the end of the day, granted to start his career, he wasn't handled correctly, but we are in the end of his 4th pro career and the issues he had year 1 are the same. AND going into year 5, they will still be an issue if he's here. So for me, that's a big time red flag for this player and I ask the question. As much as I want him to do well because if he could somehow figure it out, with that running speed and athletic ability, he could be a big weapon, when is enough enough? 4 yrs now going into 5.

The Elks have an empty building thanks to the horrible board, bad presidents but also real bad, teams and a lot of losing football. They got a new owner who god bless him, saved the team knowing it was a long road to probably break even. They got a new President who is huge in the community, ties to the team and gets it finally! They have the right GM in my opinion who again has ties to the team, the community and gets it! But they needed to win some games. Hervey and the new coaches deserve time to make the team how it should be in their eyes, the past losing seasons weren't their fault but they still needed to hit the ground running.

They lost all their preseason games and after week 6 were 1-4. In those games, Ford's offense scored 14 pts twice, 23 pts, once. You won't win in the CFL scoring that little and they didn't. Against the ALs, they scored 28 BUT it was 28-6 after 3 quarters. The game was OVER, the ALs sat back and in garbage time, Ford put up a few scores and padded his stats. Even in the Ottawa game where they scored 39 and won, they got a 94 yard punt TD, a 74 yard Rankin run TD. Ford passed for 212 yards in that game.

So as a team, after week 6 with an empty building thanks to years of losing, your team with preseason is 1-6 and the offense is sputtering under Ford. Ford's last game as a starter against BC, he was 4/14 for 34 yards, 1 INT and his offense had produced 7 pts in 3 quarters and the score under him was 29-7 going into the 4th quarter on your home field. How do you keep throwing him Ford out there after that?

Please don't think I am coming at you because I am not. I agreed with him being named the starter because I assumed he would improve this year. He hadn't. I had hopes he would be the guy but I don't think they can keep throwing him out there hoping it clicks finally. It's been 4 yrs and it hasn't clicked yet. IMO, if they had of stuck with Ford, I don't think they would have the record they have which is only 7-10 and could very well be the same as last year 7-11.

I get it, and take no issue with anything you say and agree with most of it. For what it's worth I had no issue whatsoever making the switch to Cody to start and do want them to bring him back next year.

My issue is moreso that it appears they are going to go the final 13 games without giving Ford a single snap and frankly it doesn't make sense from a developmental perspective as this is probably the first time he had a real professional mentor that can think the game similarly to him and actually seemed willing to work with him rather than just paying lip service to that idea and really just compete with him (ala MBT).

I'd like to have seen how he applied those learnings. Granted there weren't a lot of opportunities to get him in, but there have been some opportunities.

Based on feeling this way, it's now down to 1 of 2 things for me. It's either that Ford is a complete ******* who burned his bridges and deserves it and can GTFO right now, or this coaching staff has failed him.

[bone]

I think that is an excellent take , and basically is the same way I feel about Ford , just think a total fresh start elsewhere is what he needs and deserves , could that be with bombers if Zach is done ? But we would lose his brother as well as they want to play together, may need to make a package deal , are we happy with Tyrel at the corner this year ?

I'm generally happy with Tyrell's season. He had a slight dip from his season last year, but still made some big plays and teams often seemed afriad to go after him which suggests he's doing something right. I think he's definitely got a long strong career ahead of him, but if he insists on following his brother, I'd wish him well.

[ben_the_eskimo]

I guess it’s possible that the move to put Tre at 3rd string is just their way of saying that he’s gonna run the short yardage package tonight and we’re all reading too much into it but I guess we’ll see.

Tre is still under contract so the only way he can leave is if we actively choose to move on from him by trading him or cutting him outright. And if we do go that route I have a very strong feeling that there’s gonna come a day where we’ll regret that decision.

Depth Chart doesn’t look promising for his future here but if he doesn’t see the field at all tonight then I think we know for sure he’s done.