EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos, coming off the worst collapse in their storied history, have a more modest goal this week: put it behind them and play 60 minutes of consistent football.
The Eskimos host the 1-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Thursday, less than a week after blowing a 31-6 lead to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats en route to a crushing 37-31 defeat.
The defending Grey Cup champions sit 2-2, good for third in the CFL West.
After practice Monday, quarterback Mike Reilly said there’s no finger-pointing and no pity party.
"Guys came out excited and ready to practice today and couldn’t wait to get out on the field. That’s when I know we’re in good shape," said Reilly.
"If guys were out here hanging their heads and still bummed out about things and didn’t want to come back to work we may have an issue.
"But that couldn’t be further from the case. Guys wanted to stay out here longer."
The Eskimos entering Week 6 have come to resemble the weather of the city they represent: if you don’t like the conditions, wait 10 minutes.
In the first three games, the Eskimos came out of the gate with their feet in cement, trailing after the first quarter each time, scoring just one point in total.
It raised questions about their game readiness.
Against Hamilton last Saturday, they silenced those critics. Reilly and the offence torched the Tabbies for a 24-6 halftime lead, which they improved to 31-6 with 25 minutes to play.
That’s when they reversed themselves and let Hamilton back in. Ticat quarterback Jeremiah Masoli completed 23 consecutive passes, a CFL record, and four consecutive touchdown drives. Edmonton’s defence couldn’t stop and couldn’t tackle anyone and Reilly’s offence could only muster two-and-outs.
Defensive tackle Almondo Sewell said it’s now about putting it together for 60 minutes, and then some.
"We’re just not good right now, plain and simple," said Sewell.
"So we’ve got to play 60 minutes, plus.
"If we have to go to overtime it’s 60 minutes plus."
The problem is not the offence.
Reilly is leading the league with 10 touchdown passes and 1,580 yards passing. Receivers Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker are shredding defences and sit second and third respectively in total receiving yards heading into CFL play Monday.
The problem lies mainly with co-ordinator Mike Benevides’ defence. It has struggled out of the gate after key members of last year’s shutdown squad — Aaron Grymes, Dexter McCoil and Willie Jefferson — left in the off-season.
Benevides said Hamilton made good adjustments. Masoli mostly got rid of the ball quickly, and when he didn’t he scrambled to safety or made tacklers miss.
"(But) it’s not like the guys didn’t have opportunities," said Benevides.
"We saw what was happening on the field and as a defence we talked about it on the sideline. Go out and make a damn play."
The secondary is getting lit up for almost 388 passing yards per game. Edmonton is allowing 33.5 points per game on average.
The Blue Bombers may be just what the doctor ordered for what ails Edmonton.
The team has underperformed badly behind quarterback Drew Willy and head coach Mike O’Shea is on the hotseat with fans and critics.
They have their own troubles, averaging fewer than 20 points a game on offence.
O’Shea is shaking things up. Ex-Eskimo QB Matt Nichols has been named the starter for Thursday in place of Willy.
