Edmonton Sun Articles July 15, 2009
Takin' care of business
Rookie safety has Hall's trust
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
He came into Edmonton Eskimos training camp a month ago, just hoping to make the practice squad.
But a key injury in the season-opener meant Elliott Richardson soon found himself at the top of the depth chart at safety.
Making his second start tomorrow when the Eskimos host the B.C. Lions, Richardson said making the most of the opportunity is not his top priority.
"You just want to get the job done. You don't want to overplay," said the five-foot-nine, 190-pound Acadia product, who was twice named Academic All-Canadian as well as winning rookie of the year in his conference.
"You just want to play within the system. That's the most important thing. That's when it works the best, when everyone in the field is doing their one-twelfth."
After seeing him hold his own against Anthony Calvillo's Montreal Alouettes last week, head coach Richie Hall said there is no question he would start again this week.
"Why not? He played back there against Calvillo who is probably one of the top quarterbacks in the league," said Hall.
Rookie safety has Hall's trust
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
He came into Edmonton Eskimos training camp a month ago, just hoping to make the practice squad.
But a key injury in the season-opener meant Elliott Richardson soon found himself at the top of the depth chart at safety.
Making his second start tomorrow when the Eskimos host the B.C. Lions, Richardson said making the most of the opportunity is not his top priority.
"You just want to get the job done. You don't want to overplay," said the five-foot-nine, 190-pound Acadia product, who was twice named Academic All-Canadian as well as winning rookie of the year in his conference.
"You just want to play within the system. That's the most important thing. That's when it works the best, when everyone in the field is doing their one-twelfth."
After seeing him hold his own against Anthony Calvillo's Montreal Alouettes last week, head coach Richie Hall said there is no question he would start again this week.
"Why not? He played back there against Calvillo who is probably one of the top quarterbacks in the league," said Hall.
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Confidence trumps experience
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 15th July 2009, 2:32am
Eskimos head coach Richie Hall doesn't have a problem starting a rookie in place of injured veteran safety Scott Gordon.
In fact, with Elliott Richardson making his second start at the position tomorrow night against the visiting B.C. Lions, that makes two rookies in the Eskimos secondary.
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 15th July 2009, 2:32am
Eskimos head coach Richie Hall doesn't have a problem starting a rookie in place of injured veteran safety Scott Gordon.
In fact, with Elliott Richardson making his second start at the position tomorrow night against the visiting B.C. Lions, that makes two rookies in the Eskimos secondary.
A legend in the making
By TERRY JONES
It's such a dichotomy, so completely contradictory.
When it comes to hockey, Edmonton has a perception problem that players don't want to come here and play for the Oilers. When it comes to football it's absolutely the opposite.
Edmonton is the No. 1 place to play in the minds of many. The Eskimos are the team you want to go to in free agency. For every hockey player who seems to be allergic to Edmonton, there's a football player attracted to the town.
By TERRY JONES
It's such a dichotomy, so completely contradictory.
When it comes to hockey, Edmonton has a perception problem that players don't want to come here and play for the Oilers. When it comes to football it's absolutely the opposite.
Edmonton is the No. 1 place to play in the minds of many. The Eskimos are the team you want to go to in free agency. For every hockey player who seems to be allergic to Edmonton, there's a football player attracted to the town.
Restelli quite a find for Eskimos
By TERRY JONES
The Edmonton Eskimos may have set some sort of CFL record for holding free agent tryout camps this past year.
They held nine of them all over the United States. One was in Long Beach, Calif. That's where they found Mark Restelli.
Legend may one day have it that they found him on a surf board at Huntington Beach or making use of his viticulture degree somewhere up in the Napa Valley, but it was actually at one of the camps run by head scout Ed Hervey.
And "found" is the right word.
By TERRY JONES
The Edmonton Eskimos may have set some sort of CFL record for holding free agent tryout camps this past year.
They held nine of them all over the United States. One was in Long Beach, Calif. That's where they found Mark Restelli.
Legend may one day have it that they found him on a surf board at Huntington Beach or making use of his viticulture degree somewhere up in the Napa Valley, but it was actually at one of the camps run by head scout Ed Hervey.
And "found" is the right word.
Get to know Kitwana
You may know that Kitwana Jones began his pro career in Saskatchewan in 2005 and had a team-high five quarterback sacks last season for the Riders. You probably know that Kitwana played linebacker in 2005 and 2006 before switching to defensive end in 2007.
You may also know that Jones played his first two college seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Hampton for his final two years. You already know that Kitwana was traded to the Eskimos from Saskatchewan on May 14. But what do you really know about Kitwana Jones?
You may know that Kitwana Jones began his pro career in Saskatchewan in 2005 and had a team-high five quarterback sacks last season for the Riders. You probably know that Kitwana played linebacker in 2005 and 2006 before switching to defensive end in 2007.
You may also know that Jones played his first two college seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Hampton for his final two years. You already know that Kitwana was traded to the Eskimos from Saskatchewan on May 14. But what do you really know about Kitwana Jones?
Esks and Lions all riled up
By KAMAU PETERSON
This Thursday at commonwealth stadium there is one thing that is for certain -- both teams on the field should be in a very foul mood. Coming off of a sound thrashing in Montreal, the blow to our good ol' Eskimo pride should up the ante on our already hostile take on visitors.
BC has had a rough couple of weeks themselves, dropping a messy one in Regina and then losing to the Ti-cats at home this past weekend, in what was quite an upset. In a Western race that is going to be a tight one, both teams will need this win desperately.
BC comes in searching for some answers since losing quite a few known playmakers this offseason. Names like Logan, Wake, Floyd, Clermont and Murphy come to mind and you almost wonder how Wally's warriors can field a team after losing so many All-Star caliber players.
By KAMAU PETERSON
This Thursday at commonwealth stadium there is one thing that is for certain -- both teams on the field should be in a very foul mood. Coming off of a sound thrashing in Montreal, the blow to our good ol' Eskimo pride should up the ante on our already hostile take on visitors.
BC has had a rough couple of weeks themselves, dropping a messy one in Regina and then losing to the Ti-cats at home this past weekend, in what was quite an upset. In a Western race that is going to be a tight one, both teams will need this win desperately.
BC comes in searching for some answers since losing quite a few known playmakers this offseason. Names like Logan, Wake, Floyd, Clermont and Murphy come to mind and you almost wonder how Wally's warriors can field a team after losing so many All-Star caliber players.
Fiacconi good fit at centre
By GERRY MODDEJONGE
Filling in for Edmonton Eskimos starting centre John Comiskey is hardly a snap.
Even for eight-year CFL veteran Aaron Fiacconi, who will make his third start in a row tomorrow night against the B.C. Lions.
Not a lot of teams have that kind of experienced leadership to fall back on when someone goes down, but what can't be replaced is the cohesiveness of the offensive line as a unit.
SOLID
"He's doing a solid job, but again, we're talking about the group," said Eskimos head coach Richie Hall.
By GERRY MODDEJONGE
Filling in for Edmonton Eskimos starting centre John Comiskey is hardly a snap.
Even for eight-year CFL veteran Aaron Fiacconi, who will make his third start in a row tomorrow night against the B.C. Lions.
Not a lot of teams have that kind of experienced leadership to fall back on when someone goes down, but what can't be replaced is the cohesiveness of the offensive line as a unit.
SOLID
"He's doing a solid job, but again, we're talking about the group," said Eskimos head coach Richie Hall.
Hall has his charges wary of hungry Lions
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
The Edmonton Eskimos might be on the rebound, but they already have their next date lined up.
When the B.C. Lions visit Commonwealth Stadium tomorrow night, they will be looking for their first win of the season against an Eskimos squad that is coming off their first loss -- a 50-16 mismatch against the Montreal Alouettes that got out of hand in the fourth quarter.
"We have to bounce back regardless of what our final production -- or lack of final production -- was," said Eskimos head coach Richie Hall.
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, SUN MEDIA
The Edmonton Eskimos might be on the rebound, but they already have their next date lined up.
When the B.C. Lions visit Commonwealth Stadium tomorrow night, they will be looking for their first win of the season against an Eskimos squad that is coming off their first loss -- a 50-16 mismatch against the Montreal Alouettes that got out of hand in the fourth quarter.
"We have to bounce back regardless of what our final production -- or lack of final production -- was," said Eskimos head coach Richie Hall.
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