AJ chomping at the bit
By Vicki Hall,
Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON - Rick Campbell has a reality check for anyone who thinks linebacker A.J. Gass can swoop onto the artificial turf at McMahon Stadium next week and single-handedly save the season for the Edmonton Eskimos.
Sure, Gass is a punishing hitter and the undisputed leader in the heart of the Edmonton defence. But can he make up for undisciplined penalties, missed tackles and snaps that slip through the hands of the holder on field goals?
Only in a world of fantasy, says Campbell, the Eskimos defensive co-ordinator.
"There's no magic speech," Campbell said recently. "No one is going to wave a wand. A.J. Gass is a wonderful person and a great football player. I'm a huge A.J. fan.
"But A.J. walking on the football field -- if that's what we think is going to take us over the hump -- that's not the answer. The answer is going to come from each individual person working to get better.
"We certainly can't be looking for a saviour."
Saviour? Gass was almost cut three years in a row during training camp.
"It's funny how things change from season to season," Gass said, who missed all of training camp and the first two games due to the death of his mother and the last six games with a hamstring pull. "But I'm just so glad to be able to run around, put on the pads and helmet and actually play some football for a change."
During his time off, Gass helped the coaching staff chart plays in hopes of kick-starting a second career once he's done football. He even chirped up with his opinions on play calls until assistant coach Dan Kepley turned off the microphone on his headset for talking too much.
Dressed in civilian clothes, he burst out of the spotter's booth at Commonwealth Stadium last month and let loose with a string of expletives after the Eskimos surrendered a 100-yard touchdown to Winnipeg slotback Milt Stegall on the final play of the game.
According to defensive tackle Charles Alston, Gass goes even wilder on the field.
"Man, something happens to that guy when he puts on his helmet," Alston said. "There's something wrong with him. He's a madman. He's different.
"I'd rather not explain it, but you'll see it."
Gass had to restrain himself from belting quarterback Ricky Ray on Tuesday after enduring nine weeks without hitting someone.
"You better tell No. 15 to watch out," he said. "Nah, I'm kidding. That would be my ticket out."
Ray would rather watch Gass demolish the opposition's quarterbacks and running backs.
"He's been the heart and soul of the defence since I got here," Ray said. "Just watching him play gets you fired up. He makes a lot of plays. He's just one of those football players who goes out there and makes big stops. He makes big tackles. He can intercept the ball and do a lot of things to change the momentum of a football game."
Defensive back Donald Brady is another potential momentum-changer. He's scheduled to arrive in town today after re-signing with the Eskimos over the weekend after the team cut him at the end of training camp.
Brady is coming back from a broken rib and torn cartilage, so head coach Danny Maciocia figures it might take a week or two for him to round into game shape.
"I don't think he'll play right away," Maciocia said. "We're still happy with the way the secondary has looked."
As for Gass, Maciocia hopes he'll patrol the middle of the field Monday in Calgary.
"A.J.? That's the best news I heard all week," he said. "Maybe my luck is turning. It will be nice to have old No. 77 out there banging some people."
SHORT YARDAGE: Defensive tackle Randy Spencer (calf) and defensive back Jonte Buhl (knee) sat out of practice Tuesday. Both expect to be ready for Monday's game in Calgary.
Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON - Rick Campbell has a reality check for anyone who thinks linebacker A.J. Gass can swoop onto the artificial turf at McMahon Stadium next week and single-handedly save the season for the Edmonton Eskimos.
Sure, Gass is a punishing hitter and the undisputed leader in the heart of the Edmonton defence. But can he make up for undisciplined penalties, missed tackles and snaps that slip through the hands of the holder on field goals?
Only in a world of fantasy, says Campbell, the Eskimos defensive co-ordinator.
"There's no magic speech," Campbell said recently. "No one is going to wave a wand. A.J. Gass is a wonderful person and a great football player. I'm a huge A.J. fan.
"But A.J. walking on the football field -- if that's what we think is going to take us over the hump -- that's not the answer. The answer is going to come from each individual person working to get better.
"We certainly can't be looking for a saviour."
Saviour? Gass was almost cut three years in a row during training camp.
"It's funny how things change from season to season," Gass said, who missed all of training camp and the first two games due to the death of his mother and the last six games with a hamstring pull. "But I'm just so glad to be able to run around, put on the pads and helmet and actually play some football for a change."
During his time off, Gass helped the coaching staff chart plays in hopes of kick-starting a second career once he's done football. He even chirped up with his opinions on play calls until assistant coach Dan Kepley turned off the microphone on his headset for talking too much.
Dressed in civilian clothes, he burst out of the spotter's booth at Commonwealth Stadium last month and let loose with a string of expletives after the Eskimos surrendered a 100-yard touchdown to Winnipeg slotback Milt Stegall on the final play of the game.
According to defensive tackle Charles Alston, Gass goes even wilder on the field.
"Man, something happens to that guy when he puts on his helmet," Alston said. "There's something wrong with him. He's a madman. He's different.
"I'd rather not explain it, but you'll see it."
Gass had to restrain himself from belting quarterback Ricky Ray on Tuesday after enduring nine weeks without hitting someone.
"You better tell No. 15 to watch out," he said. "Nah, I'm kidding. That would be my ticket out."
Ray would rather watch Gass demolish the opposition's quarterbacks and running backs.
"He's been the heart and soul of the defence since I got here," Ray said. "Just watching him play gets you fired up. He makes a lot of plays. He's just one of those football players who goes out there and makes big stops. He makes big tackles. He can intercept the ball and do a lot of things to change the momentum of a football game."
Defensive back Donald Brady is another potential momentum-changer. He's scheduled to arrive in town today after re-signing with the Eskimos over the weekend after the team cut him at the end of training camp.
Brady is coming back from a broken rib and torn cartilage, so head coach Danny Maciocia figures it might take a week or two for him to round into game shape.
"I don't think he'll play right away," Maciocia said. "We're still happy with the way the secondary has looked."
As for Gass, Maciocia hopes he'll patrol the middle of the field Monday in Calgary.
"A.J.? That's the best news I heard all week," he said. "Maybe my luck is turning. It will be nice to have old No. 77 out there banging some people."
SHORT YARDAGE: Defensive tackle Randy Spencer (calf) and defensive back Jonte Buhl (knee) sat out of practice Tuesday. Both expect to be ready for Monday's game in Calgary.
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