Eskimo players 'blindsided' by firing...
All I can say to the players is: Win it for Danny! 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sport...medium=twitter
EDMONTON — Less than 16 hours after they had noisily celebrated their first win of the season, Edmonton Eskimo players were in a state of semi-shock Saturday over the firing of general manager Danny Maciocia.
A dressing room that Friday night was the scene of jubilation along with a sense of relief, Saturday was one of near silence as players quietly went about their business. Even when interviewed, they spoke softly, almost like being at a funeral.
It was because, they said, they had lost one of their own.
“It’s a tough day for us,” said quarterback Ricky Ray who was a rookie with the Eskimos in 2002, the same year Maciocia joined the team as offensive co-ordinator. “Danny’s meant so much to us and to my career. He’s helped me become the player I am so it’s a tough day for myself and the rest of the guys. We’re all a part of Danny. He’s the one who brought us all in here.”
The firing, coming so soon after the team had finally broken into the win column, was a shock.
“It’s kind of a blindside,” said defensive tackle Dario Romero. “I’m sad to see him go. He brought me here as a free agent and we had a good relationship. He’s one of the GMs I could call up personally and talk to about whatever.
“You put so much into this game and the game gives so little back,” the six-foot-three, 300-pound lineman said in an almost whisper. “It’s something you love so much, and it really doesn’t love you back.”
It was agreed that part of the reason for Maciocia’s firing after eight years with the Eskimos was the constant criticism, almost hostile at times, from the fans. A reaction, the players said was undeserved and mostly unfair.
A dressing room that Friday night was the scene of jubilation along with a sense of relief, Saturday was one of near silence as players quietly went about their business. Even when interviewed, they spoke softly, almost like being at a funeral.
It was because, they said, they had lost one of their own.
“It’s a tough day for us,” said quarterback Ricky Ray who was a rookie with the Eskimos in 2002, the same year Maciocia joined the team as offensive co-ordinator. “Danny’s meant so much to us and to my career. He’s helped me become the player I am so it’s a tough day for myself and the rest of the guys. We’re all a part of Danny. He’s the one who brought us all in here.”
The firing, coming so soon after the team had finally broken into the win column, was a shock.
“It’s kind of a blindside,” said defensive tackle Dario Romero. “I’m sad to see him go. He brought me here as a free agent and we had a good relationship. He’s one of the GMs I could call up personally and talk to about whatever.
“You put so much into this game and the game gives so little back,” the six-foot-three, 300-pound lineman said in an almost whisper. “It’s something you love so much, and it really doesn’t love you back.”
It was agreed that part of the reason for Maciocia’s firing after eight years with the Eskimos was the constant criticism, almost hostile at times, from the fans. A reaction, the players said was undeserved and mostly unfair.
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