Today's Sun stories - LaRose losses job;Prefontaine rips Pinball
These are all the stories from today's Sun
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
The Edmonton Eskimos have scrapped the idea of starting a non-import at safety.
After watching J.R. LaRose struggle as the starting safety last year, head coach Danny Maciocia wants an import in the middle of the secondary this year.
"I haven't been satisfied with the people that have lined up there the last couple of years," said Maciocia, who started LaRose in 14 games and non-import Will Loftus in the other four tilts last year.
"You need to be strong down the middle."
SAMUELS FAVOURITE
With main Eskimos' training camp opening this morning, Stanford Samuels is the early favourite to be the new safety after starting at defensive halfback last year.
"He has got a good understanding of the game and can do many things at the safety position," said Maciocia on Samuels.
A four-year CFL veteran, Samuels has a track record of delivering punishing hits.
However, he hasn't played the position in the pro or college (Florida State) ranks.
"I have been waiting to get to safety for a long time," remarked the 27-year-old import.
"I played it in high school. That is what I was in little league. It's back to the basics."
Entering his second year with the Esks, Samuels will compete against rookies Jamar Landrom and Brandon Isaac for the job.
LaRose will now be forced to make the club as a special teams starter and back-up cornerback.
"If they want to put me in a different position, I will play a different position," said LaRose, who battled injuries (head, shoulder, knee) and was also benched last season.
BOTTOM LINE
But the bottom line for this 24-year-old Edmonton native is that he's facing a make-or-break training camp.
After three years with the hometown team, he needs to show more determination and have the best camp of his career.
By shifting to an import at safety, the Esks need to start a non-import at middle linebacker or on the defensive line to meet the roster ratio rules.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
This is going to be music to the ears of frustrated football fans in this city: the Edmonton Eskimos' offence is supposed to be more aggressive this season.
When training camp starts today, the Esks are going to try to stretch the field with more long throws - actually forcing the issue against the defence.
After missing the playoffs for two straight years with a beleaguered offence that became too conservative and predictable, it's not a surprising move.
"Offensively the last two years we have been too dink and dunk," said quarterback Ricky Ray in a break during veteran medicals yesterday in the Commonwealth Stadium gym.
"We have to get more big plays. We are going to really stress that in training camp - trying to throw the ball down field a little bit more.
"At least if we don't complete them we are scaring some people."
At 5-12-1 last year, Edmonton's offence ranked third last in the CFL in most points scored (371) and second last in most touchdowns scored (34).
The offensive motto through the frustrating 2007 season was taking what the defence gave them.
"It was tough," continued Ray.
"Defences have changed the last few years. A lot more zone coverage. They are trying to keep things in front of them, takeaway the big play. They are not playing as much man coverage as we are used to seeing.
"We tried to adjust to that by taking what they give us and march the ball down the field.
"We are realizing you have to put 10 perfect plays together just to have a chance to score and if you mess up along the way, you are going to end a drive.
"We have got to get some big plays in there.
"We got to not try and put 10-12 play drives together.
"We have got to be able to score on three play drives - not wait until we get down inside the red zone to take some shots at the endzone.
"Saskatchewan won the Grey Cup last year and they had a ton of big plays."
An apparent improvement in receiver stock is another reason why the Esks are going to try to spice up the offence.
"There is probably more speed in this camp than there has ever been," said Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia.
"We feel this football team can be at its best when we play to the strengths of certain individuals (in the receiving core). Take a look at Brock Ralph and the (rookie) camp Kelly Campbell had and a healthy (Jason) Tucker.
"We are going to install our vertical game right off the bat (in training camp) so everybody buys in.
"We are going to threaten people over the top. We are going to take some shots. We are not going to go 100-for-100 (in attempts) but if you can go four-for-10 and you can catch (the balls) in full stride, those four throws can (lead to) 20 points."
Maciocia believes a lack of confidence caused some of the conservative offensive plays last season.
"There were some (deep ball) opportunities last year but I think we were so worried about throwing the ball and not completing it that we would automatically bring our eyes back down and try to (throw) the ball underneath because we knew we had the sure thing," he said.
"That is not the way we are going to approach it this year.
"Take a shot and don't worry about it."
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
The roster numbers are rather intriguing.
When the Edmonton Eskimos open main training camp this morning next to Commonwealth Stadium, 23 players from the 46-member roster for the final regular-season game last year will not be on the field.
Cuts, trades and retirements mean those 23 bodies are gone. If that weren't enough, nine more bodies who were stashed on the injured list, practice roster or suspended list are gone.
Of the 65 players on the Edmonton payroll for the final game last season, 32 are no longer around.
QUICK HIT: For the third straight year, an Eskimo veteran failed a medical on the eve of training camp.
Defensive back Lenny Williams has a deep bone bruise on a knee, meaning he will miss three to four days.
This is on the heels of Cedric Scott flunking in 2006 and Deitan Dubuc last year.
GREEN LIGHT: Defensive end Brandon Guillory is officially allowed to be in contact drills today after passing his medical. It will mark the first time he can make a hit since suffering a spinal cord contusion in a pre-season game in Calgary last year.
"I am good to go. I have got the green light," said Guillory, five minutes after getting the news from doctors yesterday morning.
FINISH LINES: Rookies Jason Marshall (non-import RB), Brandon Breazell (import WR), Fred Gibson (import WR) and Ryan Moore (import WR), Andrew King (non-import LB), Brandon Issac (import DB) have been cut.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, SUN MEDIA
A simple trade on paper for punter/kicker Noel Prefontaine has caused plenty of aftershocks.
While the Edmonton Eskimos are thrilled to have a multi-dimensional veteran like Prefontaine, there isn't happiness everywhere.
From punter Duncan O'Mahony being released by the Esks late yesterday to Prefontaine ripping the Argos' front office to salary issues, there is plenty of fallout from the Friday deal.
* Under the category of 'No Surprise,' O'Mahony is on the street looking for work after Prefontaine became Eskimo property.
It capped a bizarre six days for the seven-year CFLer, who was traded from Calgary to the Esks for a conditional 2009 draft pick on Monday.
It means the Esks will have four kickers/punters on the field today (7:50 a.m. start for the first of back-to-back practices) when main training camp opens minus retired kicker Sean Fleming.
Non-imports Warren Kean, Ryan Elaschuk and Derek Schiavone will be on the practice field next to Commonwealth Stadium, along with import Tony Yelk.
Acquired from the Argos for two draft picks, Prefontaine will report to Edmonton tomorrow.
* If Prefontaine can flash his previous all-star kicking/punting form in camp, he could easily handle all three kicking chores when the regular season starts on June 28 in Regina.
A six-time CFL all-star punter and East Division all-star kicker twice in his 10-year CFL career in Toronto, the 34-year-old non-import is a weapon when he is on his game.
"We think he is the missing link here," said Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia, who doesn't seem worried about the kicker's past concussion problems.
But Maciocia is going to keep two kickers at the end of camp - regardless of how good Prefontaine is during the two pre-season games (June 13 in Calgary; June 19, hosting Saskatchewan). For depth purposes, that is smart.
In the most likely scenario, it also means Kean will be given a chance to continue to develop on the playing roster or practice roster.
A first-round pick last year, Kean will be asked to compete for the field-goal and kickoff duties at camp.
"I am all for it," said Kean on the trade for Prefontaine. "If he can come in and help us out, then why not? I have my job to do: that is kick field goals and kick them straight. The rest will take care of itself."
Considering Kean only has one game of CFL experience under his belt, he's still on a big learning curve.
* Giving up a first-round pick next year seems like fair compensation for Prefontaine, considering Toronto had Mike Vanderjagt coming in to handle the kicking chores this season.
The conditional draft pick for 2010 that is also in this trade hinges on several factors, including whether Edmonton can sign Prefontaine next year.
In the option year of a three-year deal, Prefontaine is set to be a free agent next season.
If he returns to Edmonton for 2009, the draft pick the Argos receive from the Esks for 2010 likely improves.
* In the salary department, this is a good trade for Edmonton.
"The average salary for a guy in the CFL who has proven himself - does all three (kicking) things - is approximately $130,000-$140,000," said Prefontaine.
"Most of my money has been paid out.
"What I am playing for this year - they are getting me for pretty cheap."
Due to his contract being front loaded, Prefontaine will be paid less than $100,000 this season, meaning there won't be much of an adjustment to the Esks' salary cap structure.
* After letting the trade sink in for a day, Prefontaine ripped the Argos' front office in a Sun Media interview.
"(I'm) extremely upset with the way they handled me," he said.
"I have a relationship with Pinball (Michael Clemons, Argo CEO). "Obviously, I have played with (Pinball) a couple of years. He was the president for a while. He was my head coach for a number of years. A day and a half has gone by and he has yet to speak to me.
"I would think (a phone call) would be professional - wouldn't you?"
Clemons responded late last night: "I can appreciate that he is going through a lot. What he did here (as a player) was significant."
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
The Edmonton Eskimos have scrapped the idea of starting a non-import at safety.
After watching J.R. LaRose struggle as the starting safety last year, head coach Danny Maciocia wants an import in the middle of the secondary this year.
"I haven't been satisfied with the people that have lined up there the last couple of years," said Maciocia, who started LaRose in 14 games and non-import Will Loftus in the other four tilts last year.
"You need to be strong down the middle."
SAMUELS FAVOURITE
With main Eskimos' training camp opening this morning, Stanford Samuels is the early favourite to be the new safety after starting at defensive halfback last year.
"He has got a good understanding of the game and can do many things at the safety position," said Maciocia on Samuels.
A four-year CFL veteran, Samuels has a track record of delivering punishing hits.
However, he hasn't played the position in the pro or college (Florida State) ranks.
"I have been waiting to get to safety for a long time," remarked the 27-year-old import.
"I played it in high school. That is what I was in little league. It's back to the basics."
Entering his second year with the Esks, Samuels will compete against rookies Jamar Landrom and Brandon Isaac for the job.
LaRose will now be forced to make the club as a special teams starter and back-up cornerback.
"If they want to put me in a different position, I will play a different position," said LaRose, who battled injuries (head, shoulder, knee) and was also benched last season.
BOTTOM LINE
But the bottom line for this 24-year-old Edmonton native is that he's facing a make-or-break training camp.
After three years with the hometown team, he needs to show more determination and have the best camp of his career.
By shifting to an import at safety, the Esks need to start a non-import at middle linebacker or on the defensive line to meet the roster ratio rules.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
This is going to be music to the ears of frustrated football fans in this city: the Edmonton Eskimos' offence is supposed to be more aggressive this season.
When training camp starts today, the Esks are going to try to stretch the field with more long throws - actually forcing the issue against the defence.
After missing the playoffs for two straight years with a beleaguered offence that became too conservative and predictable, it's not a surprising move.
"Offensively the last two years we have been too dink and dunk," said quarterback Ricky Ray in a break during veteran medicals yesterday in the Commonwealth Stadium gym.
"We have to get more big plays. We are going to really stress that in training camp - trying to throw the ball down field a little bit more.
"At least if we don't complete them we are scaring some people."
At 5-12-1 last year, Edmonton's offence ranked third last in the CFL in most points scored (371) and second last in most touchdowns scored (34).
The offensive motto through the frustrating 2007 season was taking what the defence gave them.
"It was tough," continued Ray.
"Defences have changed the last few years. A lot more zone coverage. They are trying to keep things in front of them, takeaway the big play. They are not playing as much man coverage as we are used to seeing.
"We tried to adjust to that by taking what they give us and march the ball down the field.
"We are realizing you have to put 10 perfect plays together just to have a chance to score and if you mess up along the way, you are going to end a drive.
"We have got to get some big plays in there.
"We got to not try and put 10-12 play drives together.
"We have got to be able to score on three play drives - not wait until we get down inside the red zone to take some shots at the endzone.
"Saskatchewan won the Grey Cup last year and they had a ton of big plays."
An apparent improvement in receiver stock is another reason why the Esks are going to try to spice up the offence.
"There is probably more speed in this camp than there has ever been," said Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia.
"We feel this football team can be at its best when we play to the strengths of certain individuals (in the receiving core). Take a look at Brock Ralph and the (rookie) camp Kelly Campbell had and a healthy (Jason) Tucker.
"We are going to install our vertical game right off the bat (in training camp) so everybody buys in.
"We are going to threaten people over the top. We are going to take some shots. We are not going to go 100-for-100 (in attempts) but if you can go four-for-10 and you can catch (the balls) in full stride, those four throws can (lead to) 20 points."
Maciocia believes a lack of confidence caused some of the conservative offensive plays last season.
"There were some (deep ball) opportunities last year but I think we were so worried about throwing the ball and not completing it that we would automatically bring our eyes back down and try to (throw) the ball underneath because we knew we had the sure thing," he said.
"That is not the way we are going to approach it this year.
"Take a shot and don't worry about it."
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
The roster numbers are rather intriguing.
When the Edmonton Eskimos open main training camp this morning next to Commonwealth Stadium, 23 players from the 46-member roster for the final regular-season game last year will not be on the field.
Cuts, trades and retirements mean those 23 bodies are gone. If that weren't enough, nine more bodies who were stashed on the injured list, practice roster or suspended list are gone.
Of the 65 players on the Edmonton payroll for the final game last season, 32 are no longer around.
QUICK HIT: For the third straight year, an Eskimo veteran failed a medical on the eve of training camp.
Defensive back Lenny Williams has a deep bone bruise on a knee, meaning he will miss three to four days.
This is on the heels of Cedric Scott flunking in 2006 and Deitan Dubuc last year.
GREEN LIGHT: Defensive end Brandon Guillory is officially allowed to be in contact drills today after passing his medical. It will mark the first time he can make a hit since suffering a spinal cord contusion in a pre-season game in Calgary last year.
"I am good to go. I have got the green light," said Guillory, five minutes after getting the news from doctors yesterday morning.
FINISH LINES: Rookies Jason Marshall (non-import RB), Brandon Breazell (import WR), Fred Gibson (import WR) and Ryan Moore (import WR), Andrew King (non-import LB), Brandon Issac (import DB) have been cut.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, SUN MEDIA
A simple trade on paper for punter/kicker Noel Prefontaine has caused plenty of aftershocks.
While the Edmonton Eskimos are thrilled to have a multi-dimensional veteran like Prefontaine, there isn't happiness everywhere.
From punter Duncan O'Mahony being released by the Esks late yesterday to Prefontaine ripping the Argos' front office to salary issues, there is plenty of fallout from the Friday deal.
* Under the category of 'No Surprise,' O'Mahony is on the street looking for work after Prefontaine became Eskimo property.
It capped a bizarre six days for the seven-year CFLer, who was traded from Calgary to the Esks for a conditional 2009 draft pick on Monday.
It means the Esks will have four kickers/punters on the field today (7:50 a.m. start for the first of back-to-back practices) when main training camp opens minus retired kicker Sean Fleming.
Non-imports Warren Kean, Ryan Elaschuk and Derek Schiavone will be on the practice field next to Commonwealth Stadium, along with import Tony Yelk.
Acquired from the Argos for two draft picks, Prefontaine will report to Edmonton tomorrow.
* If Prefontaine can flash his previous all-star kicking/punting form in camp, he could easily handle all three kicking chores when the regular season starts on June 28 in Regina.
A six-time CFL all-star punter and East Division all-star kicker twice in his 10-year CFL career in Toronto, the 34-year-old non-import is a weapon when he is on his game.
"We think he is the missing link here," said Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia, who doesn't seem worried about the kicker's past concussion problems.
But Maciocia is going to keep two kickers at the end of camp - regardless of how good Prefontaine is during the two pre-season games (June 13 in Calgary; June 19, hosting Saskatchewan). For depth purposes, that is smart.
In the most likely scenario, it also means Kean will be given a chance to continue to develop on the playing roster or practice roster.
A first-round pick last year, Kean will be asked to compete for the field-goal and kickoff duties at camp.
"I am all for it," said Kean on the trade for Prefontaine. "If he can come in and help us out, then why not? I have my job to do: that is kick field goals and kick them straight. The rest will take care of itself."
Considering Kean only has one game of CFL experience under his belt, he's still on a big learning curve.
* Giving up a first-round pick next year seems like fair compensation for Prefontaine, considering Toronto had Mike Vanderjagt coming in to handle the kicking chores this season.
The conditional draft pick for 2010 that is also in this trade hinges on several factors, including whether Edmonton can sign Prefontaine next year.
In the option year of a three-year deal, Prefontaine is set to be a free agent next season.
If he returns to Edmonton for 2009, the draft pick the Argos receive from the Esks for 2010 likely improves.
* In the salary department, this is a good trade for Edmonton.
"The average salary for a guy in the CFL who has proven himself - does all three (kicking) things - is approximately $130,000-$140,000," said Prefontaine.
"Most of my money has been paid out.
"What I am playing for this year - they are getting me for pretty cheap."
Due to his contract being front loaded, Prefontaine will be paid less than $100,000 this season, meaning there won't be much of an adjustment to the Esks' salary cap structure.
* After letting the trade sink in for a day, Prefontaine ripped the Argos' front office in a Sun Media interview.
"(I'm) extremely upset with the way they handled me," he said.
"I have a relationship with Pinball (Michael Clemons, Argo CEO). "Obviously, I have played with (Pinball) a couple of years. He was the president for a while. He was my head coach for a number of years. A day and a half has gone by and he has yet to speak to me.
"I would think (a phone call) would be professional - wouldn't you?"
Clemons responded late last night: "I can appreciate that he is going through a lot. What he did here (as a player) was significant."
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