Damon Allen visits Esks, Younger a ?, Rogers leaves team
This is in the Sun today.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, SUN MEDIA
Turning back the clock by 14 years, Damon Allen quietly strode onto the Edmonton Eskimos practice field yesterday.
The former Green and Gold pivot made an unpublicized return to his old home yesterday, chatting with former teammates and reliving memories.
"It is kind of unique. You reflect on where you started from.
"To watch the Green and Gold practise on the same field (I did), the equipment guy (Dwayne Mandrusiak) is still the same and you see (former teammates) Rick Worman and (Danny) Kepley, it makes it special," said Allen.
In the city for Craig Simpson's golf tournament today, Allen is comfortable with his decision to retire in the off-season from the CFL after 23 years.
There is no plan to come out of retirement, even though he appears to still be in great shape at 45.
"As of right now, I am not doing what Brett Favre is doing," quipped Allen. "You don't have to worry about that."
Watching the CFL as a fan for the first time in more than two decades, Allen provides unique insight after being in the line of fire since 1985.
"The offences have really turned the corner and found ways to attack the defensive teams," said Allen on the wide-open offensive play this season.
LINEBACKER PLAY
"If you look back at 2005, 2006 and 2007, everybody asked: 'What was the difference?' I always thought the difference was the linebacker play.
"Now you have linebackers that are actually slash DBs, they can get into coverage. Based on the era I played in, it used to be three big linebackers.
"You could throw behind them, in front of them, right beside them.
"Now these guys are much better, especially in dropping and reacting to footballs much better.
"But I think offences have turned the corner (this year) and found ways to make the game exciting again."
Allen played six seasons in Edmonton (1985-88 and 1993-94) and passed for 12,466 yards as an Eskimo.
That puts him sixth on the all-time yardage list with the club.
It also means that three of the top eight passers in Edmonton's franchise history - Ricky Ray, Jason Maas and Allen - were at practice yesterday.
DIDN'T PICK UP BALL
But much to the chagrin of some bystanders, Allen didn't pick up a ball and put the offence through its paces for one drill yesterday.
Instead, he discussed future business possibilities while watching from the sidelines.
One of his ideas is to possibly bring his Quarterback Challenge TV show to Edmonton in the near future.
Staged at Hamilton's Ivor Wynne Stadium before this season and broadcast on The Score, the challenge involves the big-name quarterbacks in the league going through passing and agility drills.
The all-time passing leader in professional football might have better luck drawing a bigger crowd for his show in his old home with the Eskimo marketing machine adding some help.
FINISH LINES: Allen didn't stay for the entire practice yesterday, which was likely a good thing because the Green and Gold didn't impress the coaching staff with their effort.
Head coach Danny Maciocia walked off the field with a very simple message for his troops.
"Practise harder, come to work (and) be serious, play the way we are capable of playing," he said.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
Jordan Younger's playing status with the Edmonton Eskimos is starting to rival a mystery novel.
An injured scratch last week, the veteran cornerback is questionable for Friday's game in Vancouver (8:30 p.m. MT, CHED, TSN).
Head coach Danny Maciocia hasn't even revealed Younger's injury.
One of the captains of the defence, Younger isn't used to missing games.
After missing last Thursday's contest, he estimates he's only missed eight games in the last 15 years.
But even though he's facing a bye week after Friday's tilt, Younger isn't subscribing to the theory that it might be best to rest this week, giving his body extra time to improve.
If he's healthy enough to play, he wants to be on the field at B.C. Place.
"We have got a divisional opponent and they are struggling a little bit right now," said Younger.
"If we can pull out a win in B.C. and win the first two of the series, you don't know what happens with B.C. after that.
"Wally Buono may go nuts (and) start cutting people."
BACK TO SCHOOL
Rookie offensive lineman Adam Rogers has left the Esks to return to school.
Stuck on the practice roster through the first six weeks of the regular season, Rogers wanted to finish his final year at Acadia.
"That is always available for a guy who is on the practice roster," said Maciocia.
"It is just dealing with reality. You don't mess with someone's education. It was important for his family to go back. We are not going to stand in someone's way of earning a degree."
The Eskimos will likely invite Rogers to training camp next year.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, SUN MEDIA
Turning back the clock by 14 years, Damon Allen quietly strode onto the Edmonton Eskimos practice field yesterday.
The former Green and Gold pivot made an unpublicized return to his old home yesterday, chatting with former teammates and reliving memories.
"It is kind of unique. You reflect on where you started from.
"To watch the Green and Gold practise on the same field (I did), the equipment guy (Dwayne Mandrusiak) is still the same and you see (former teammates) Rick Worman and (Danny) Kepley, it makes it special," said Allen.
In the city for Craig Simpson's golf tournament today, Allen is comfortable with his decision to retire in the off-season from the CFL after 23 years.
There is no plan to come out of retirement, even though he appears to still be in great shape at 45.
"As of right now, I am not doing what Brett Favre is doing," quipped Allen. "You don't have to worry about that."
Watching the CFL as a fan for the first time in more than two decades, Allen provides unique insight after being in the line of fire since 1985.
"The offences have really turned the corner and found ways to attack the defensive teams," said Allen on the wide-open offensive play this season.
LINEBACKER PLAY
"If you look back at 2005, 2006 and 2007, everybody asked: 'What was the difference?' I always thought the difference was the linebacker play.
"Now you have linebackers that are actually slash DBs, they can get into coverage. Based on the era I played in, it used to be three big linebackers.
"You could throw behind them, in front of them, right beside them.
"Now these guys are much better, especially in dropping and reacting to footballs much better.
"But I think offences have turned the corner (this year) and found ways to make the game exciting again."
Allen played six seasons in Edmonton (1985-88 and 1993-94) and passed for 12,466 yards as an Eskimo.
That puts him sixth on the all-time yardage list with the club.
It also means that three of the top eight passers in Edmonton's franchise history - Ricky Ray, Jason Maas and Allen - were at practice yesterday.
DIDN'T PICK UP BALL
But much to the chagrin of some bystanders, Allen didn't pick up a ball and put the offence through its paces for one drill yesterday.
Instead, he discussed future business possibilities while watching from the sidelines.
One of his ideas is to possibly bring his Quarterback Challenge TV show to Edmonton in the near future.
Staged at Hamilton's Ivor Wynne Stadium before this season and broadcast on The Score, the challenge involves the big-name quarterbacks in the league going through passing and agility drills.
The all-time passing leader in professional football might have better luck drawing a bigger crowd for his show in his old home with the Eskimo marketing machine adding some help.
FINISH LINES: Allen didn't stay for the entire practice yesterday, which was likely a good thing because the Green and Gold didn't impress the coaching staff with their effort.
Head coach Danny Maciocia walked off the field with a very simple message for his troops.
"Practise harder, come to work (and) be serious, play the way we are capable of playing," he said.
By JONATHAN HUNTINGTON, EDMONTON SUN
Jordan Younger's playing status with the Edmonton Eskimos is starting to rival a mystery novel.
An injured scratch last week, the veteran cornerback is questionable for Friday's game in Vancouver (8:30 p.m. MT, CHED, TSN).
Head coach Danny Maciocia hasn't even revealed Younger's injury.
One of the captains of the defence, Younger isn't used to missing games.
After missing last Thursday's contest, he estimates he's only missed eight games in the last 15 years.
But even though he's facing a bye week after Friday's tilt, Younger isn't subscribing to the theory that it might be best to rest this week, giving his body extra time to improve.
If he's healthy enough to play, he wants to be on the field at B.C. Place.
"We have got a divisional opponent and they are struggling a little bit right now," said Younger.
"If we can pull out a win in B.C. and win the first two of the series, you don't know what happens with B.C. after that.
"Wally Buono may go nuts (and) start cutting people."
BACK TO SCHOOL
Rookie offensive lineman Adam Rogers has left the Esks to return to school.
Stuck on the practice roster through the first six weeks of the regular season, Rogers wanted to finish his final year at Acadia.
"That is always available for a guy who is on the practice roster," said Maciocia.
"It is just dealing with reality. You don't mess with someone's education. It was important for his family to go back. We are not going to stand in someone's way of earning a degree."
The Eskimos will likely invite Rogers to training camp next year.
Comment