Eskimo Roster Review: Defensive Backs
Interesting reading again from Gizzie Willie:
Eskimo Roster Review: Defensive Backs
The Eskimos currently have 11 defensive backs on their roster. One lonely non-import to go along with ten imports. Can you imagine the chaos of this update if they hadn’t released Kelly Malveaux, Lamar Herron, and Bradley Robinson! Despite the depth, this was a position of constant angst among fans last year, as the defensive backs were torched on more than one occasion. This unit must be better in 2010 if the Eskimos want to have a serious shot at playing in the Grey Cup on their own turf this season. And yes, that will be field turf.
What the coaches might be looking for.
Speed, ball hawks, play makers. It’s that simple. The Eskimos had to wait until week 9 before they recorded an interception. In a pass happy league such as the CFL, this is simply unacceptable. Bobby Keyes finally made the big play on August 29th and pocketed over $1,000 in the players interception pool. A cool story for the media, but I’m sure the coaches were less than impressed. The Eskimos have added five defensive backs since the end of the 2009, so competition for roster spots will be fierce. The guys that can show they can make plays will be the ones who get to cash the cheques this year and have a shot at a hopefully much smaller interception pool.
Current Roster.
Willie Amos. Amos is another player that spent the entire 2009 season on the injured reserve list. An injured shoulder set him back, which for a defensive back is a good thing because presumably his speed should not have been affected. Amos has one year of playing experience with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he recorded decent stats for a first year player.
Randee Drew. After an outstanding rookie year in 2007 with Montreal, Drew has struggled to be anything more than a back-up in the CFL. The Eskimos actually picked him up off the Montreal practice squad so expectations are not high for Drew to become a starter.
Lawrence Gordan. Gordan was signed in the off-season from Hamilton, and at first it appears to be a curious addition to the Green & Gold. He’s not a ball hawk, exhibit one being the zero interceptions he has recorded in the past two seasons. So how might he fit in as an Eskimo?
Jason Goss. If there is one defensive back that will make the roster, Goss is the one who has a position that is his to lose. A veteran that has proven to be a model of consistency, Goss has been a reliable defender that can cover opposition receivers week in and week out. Although his stats from 2009 were not remarkable, there is something to be said for being dependable. Expect solid coverage skills to be back on display from Goss in 2010.
T.J. Hill. After being picked up when he was released by Montreal after training camp last year, Hill improved steadily as he learnt the defensive scheme being used by the Green & Gold. He finished the season strong, with an especially strong performance against Saskatchewan where he had two sacks and two interceptions.
Anthony Malbrough. Malbrough was brought in late in the season to fill in for injuries. He is a steady veteran that knows the league. The problem with being that type of player for the Eskimos is that they really don’t have room for him to start the season.
Sammy Okpro. Okpro is basically getting one more shot to make the Green & Gold before he will probably have to move on another organization. The only non-import on the roster at defensive back, Okpro was among the final cuts last year at the end of training camp.
Chris Thompson. In 2008, Thompson had nine interceptions. Oh yeah, that was after he was traded from Edmonton to Hamilton. He didn’t have the same success in 2009, which allowed the Green & Gold to re-acquire him in exchange for Maurice Mann.
Lenny Walls. The Eskimos needed to add players that could make the big play and pull in the interception. Walls, like Thompson, has proven that he can step in front of an errant throw and make the play for his team. And like Thompson, he is a new addition to the Eskimos after being signed from Winnipeg in the off-season.
Gemera Williams. Another late season addition to the Green & Gold, Williams saw limited action after spending his first couple of games on the practice squad. In college, Williams set a school record for knockdowns at the University of Buffalo. Knockdowns. Not interceptions. What does that mean? It means that he can defend a pass, but is not the type of player that can force turnovers.
Lenny Williams. Entering his third season with the Eskimos, Lenny Williams has been improving every year. Once again, a defensive back that is solid, but hasn’t quite turned the corner in terms of being a big playmaker. Williams is a leader and should be able to maintain his roster spot although he might not be a starter for the entire season if others show they are more capable of making the big plays that turn an average defence into a great defence.
Changes???
In a word…YES! Going nine plus games without an interception, not to mention getting burnt deep on more than one occasion demands that changes be made. To their credit, the Eskimos have been proactive in getting better in the defensive backfield. The additions of Thompson and Walls certainly are a step in the right direction. If the Eskimos have the opportunity to add a talented Canadian to the mix like Taureen Allen in the CFL Draft, it would be a further move to solidifying what could be a potent defence.
Link:
http://eskimosnation.wordpress.com/2...fensive-backs/
Eskimo Roster Review: Defensive Backs
The Eskimos currently have 11 defensive backs on their roster. One lonely non-import to go along with ten imports. Can you imagine the chaos of this update if they hadn’t released Kelly Malveaux, Lamar Herron, and Bradley Robinson! Despite the depth, this was a position of constant angst among fans last year, as the defensive backs were torched on more than one occasion. This unit must be better in 2010 if the Eskimos want to have a serious shot at playing in the Grey Cup on their own turf this season. And yes, that will be field turf.
What the coaches might be looking for.
Speed, ball hawks, play makers. It’s that simple. The Eskimos had to wait until week 9 before they recorded an interception. In a pass happy league such as the CFL, this is simply unacceptable. Bobby Keyes finally made the big play on August 29th and pocketed over $1,000 in the players interception pool. A cool story for the media, but I’m sure the coaches were less than impressed. The Eskimos have added five defensive backs since the end of the 2009, so competition for roster spots will be fierce. The guys that can show they can make plays will be the ones who get to cash the cheques this year and have a shot at a hopefully much smaller interception pool.
Current Roster.
Willie Amos. Amos is another player that spent the entire 2009 season on the injured reserve list. An injured shoulder set him back, which for a defensive back is a good thing because presumably his speed should not have been affected. Amos has one year of playing experience with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he recorded decent stats for a first year player.
Randee Drew. After an outstanding rookie year in 2007 with Montreal, Drew has struggled to be anything more than a back-up in the CFL. The Eskimos actually picked him up off the Montreal practice squad so expectations are not high for Drew to become a starter.
Lawrence Gordan. Gordan was signed in the off-season from Hamilton, and at first it appears to be a curious addition to the Green & Gold. He’s not a ball hawk, exhibit one being the zero interceptions he has recorded in the past two seasons. So how might he fit in as an Eskimo?
Jason Goss. If there is one defensive back that will make the roster, Goss is the one who has a position that is his to lose. A veteran that has proven to be a model of consistency, Goss has been a reliable defender that can cover opposition receivers week in and week out. Although his stats from 2009 were not remarkable, there is something to be said for being dependable. Expect solid coverage skills to be back on display from Goss in 2010.
T.J. Hill. After being picked up when he was released by Montreal after training camp last year, Hill improved steadily as he learnt the defensive scheme being used by the Green & Gold. He finished the season strong, with an especially strong performance against Saskatchewan where he had two sacks and two interceptions.
Anthony Malbrough. Malbrough was brought in late in the season to fill in for injuries. He is a steady veteran that knows the league. The problem with being that type of player for the Eskimos is that they really don’t have room for him to start the season.
Sammy Okpro. Okpro is basically getting one more shot to make the Green & Gold before he will probably have to move on another organization. The only non-import on the roster at defensive back, Okpro was among the final cuts last year at the end of training camp.
Chris Thompson. In 2008, Thompson had nine interceptions. Oh yeah, that was after he was traded from Edmonton to Hamilton. He didn’t have the same success in 2009, which allowed the Green & Gold to re-acquire him in exchange for Maurice Mann.
Lenny Walls. The Eskimos needed to add players that could make the big play and pull in the interception. Walls, like Thompson, has proven that he can step in front of an errant throw and make the play for his team. And like Thompson, he is a new addition to the Eskimos after being signed from Winnipeg in the off-season.
Gemera Williams. Another late season addition to the Green & Gold, Williams saw limited action after spending his first couple of games on the practice squad. In college, Williams set a school record for knockdowns at the University of Buffalo. Knockdowns. Not interceptions. What does that mean? It means that he can defend a pass, but is not the type of player that can force turnovers.
Lenny Williams. Entering his third season with the Eskimos, Lenny Williams has been improving every year. Once again, a defensive back that is solid, but hasn’t quite turned the corner in terms of being a big playmaker. Williams is a leader and should be able to maintain his roster spot although he might not be a starter for the entire season if others show they are more capable of making the big plays that turn an average defence into a great defence.
Changes???
In a word…YES! Going nine plus games without an interception, not to mention getting burnt deep on more than one occasion demands that changes be made. To their credit, the Eskimos have been proactive in getting better in the defensive backfield. The additions of Thompson and Walls certainly are a step in the right direction. If the Eskimos have the opportunity to add a talented Canadian to the mix like Taureen Allen in the CFL Draft, it would be a further move to solidifying what could be a potent defence.
Link:
http://eskimosnation.wordpress.com/2...fensive-backs/
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