Now I'm not Edgar Allen Poe. Nor do I believe he envisioned any sort of situation similar when he penned his title of the same name. Yet there are similarities I find within my own situation in the here and now.

This is my first foray into attempting a blog post, and I am likely only doing so because I felt that it is a format that makes the most sense for what is to follow. You see, I'm not one that usually begins new threads, especially if it may seem self-indulgent to others. Most topics on this forum, if they are worthy will be picked up and started by others, and I usually just wait to chime in. This is a format though where one can get something off their chest, and not have to worry about commenting back or forth in endless debate. Simply a way of putting brain to keyboard and letting whatever is there to flow forth. No rep to check, be it positive or negative (a useful function to see who has your back and/or who wants to plunge a knife in it). No endless pissing matches, just a position or series of thoughts that one can throw out there.

So, without further ado, I will dive in.

2010 has come and gone now for all intents and purposes for any Eskimo fan. For the third time in the last five years, the Eskimos are on the outside of the playoffs looking in. More painful though is the fact that this year, the big dance is on our home turf. There was much ballyhoo surrounding this edition of the Eskimos. It was supposed to be a year in which things were finally going to fall into place. That the extensive renovations to the field, lock rooms, and new field house would be as much of a mark of the new era of Eskimo football. After a few substandard years of missing the playoffs in 2006 & 2007, the Eskimos were supposed to be slowly on the rise towards this season. It was supposed to culminate in a real push at first place and a real playoff run.

What a train wreck. After a disastrous start to the season, the Eskimos were looking more like cellar dwellers than contenders. The GM is finally turfed, yet it was a move pawned off by the clubs president as one to appease the fans. That Danny Macciocia was unfairly marked by Eskimos supporters, and for that reason he was forced to make the move.

The fans were told that an exhaustive search would be made to find the right person to steer the good ship Eskimo into it's next transition. No more than 6 weeks later, before any or all other working CFL possible applicants were available word leaks out that the club has found their new face. A face that just 9 months earlier was pleading guilty in a Saskatchewan courtroom to sexual assault on a minor.

Public outcry was massive. A minimum of 2/3 of calls and polls showed a negative backlash to the thoughts of the club making this hire. It did not stop them from moving on it anyway. Eric Tillman was hired, and the football club ignored the public swell condemning the move. In the most arrogant act of any management and directors of a community owned franchise, the fans got the finger. All will be forgiven and forgotten if he can just win us a few more football games. How hollow, how superficial they must view this club within this community to make such a move. How hollow and superficial they view the people, the fans in this community who ultimately pay the bills.

How sad is it, that they were likely right. People will still come....people will forget, they will forgive. If the club wins a few more games.

My anger has never been against Eric Tillman. I've always regarded him as no better than a mediocre GM, who has a flair for finding work at the right place and the right time. Aside from being a flim flam man and master of working the media to spin to his purpose. My anger is at Doug Goss, and Rick LeLacheur. Empty heads sitting at the top, not knowing what to do, but going ahead blindly regardless. Arrogance and ignorance all in one.

So like Poe's character, likewise now we go headlong into the abyss. This club now goes forward under the hand of someone who for many reasons I do not believe can be trusted. Due to the hands that placed him there.

This is no longer my club. It's their club....and all I can do is pull away and hope that one day these self-made Nero's will fall. I can follow the team, the players, and coaches....I can cheer for the team to have success. What I can't do is support it with my wallet. To do so would give those in charge their redemption. I refuse. I will not give in to those who think so shallow of Eskimo fans that only wins can buy loyalty, that honor and integrity are only catch phrases.

I'll ride this out, and hope for calm waters somewhere down the road.