As an Edmonton CFL season ticket holder for the better part of 30 years, Ian Pretty has had the pleasure of watching all-time greats like Henry (Gizmo) Williams and Ricky Ray. He’s seen crowds of 50,000-plus for rivalry games against the Calgary Stampeders and even more for Grey Cup contests at Commonwealth Stadium.
Those in his seats before him witnessed even bigger things, like the dynastic five Grey Cups in a row for Warren Moon and Co.
And now?
“This,” Pretty said, “is as low as it’s ever been.”
This, of course, used to be one of the flagship franchises of the CFL.
Now, the Elks are a laughing stock, loser of a North American pro sports record 21 home games in a row heading into Thursday’s contest against the powerful Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Alberta capital.
Good tickets, by the thousands, are available at a stadium now far too big for the level of interest in town. This happens when you haven’t won a home game since before COVID-19 was a thing.
A Thursday night game for an 0-8 team won’t lead to many walkup sales. Expect a few fans with paper bags over their faces, just like the last home game.
“I used to run into everybody at games,” said Pretty, who maintains sports fields for the City of Edmonton. “I don’t run into anybody anymore. Now, nobody goes. It’s sad.”
The community-owned team, second only to the Toronto Argonauts in total Grey Cups won, is a mess.
The coach, GM and defensive co-ordinator, Chris Jones, is in the second year of a four-year contract. Because of the league’s coaching/management cap — and the Elks have gone through numerous front-office types and coaches over the past few years — the team is believed to have limited flexibility to make major moves.
At least the Elks did something over the bye week, assigning offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo to an advisory role and making Jarious Jackson the new OC.
The new starting QB is University of Waterloo product Tre Ford, who showed some flashes in his rookie year last season before injuries hit.
Up top, team president Victor Cui also has taken heat for on- and off-field concerns. He had a rather questionable tweet earlier this year about the media ‘spin’ focusing on the home losing streak rather than the announced crowd of 32,000 for the home opener.
There’s also been plenty of criticism for the team’s board of directors as people wonder aloud if private ownership would be a better fit.
“Concern is certainly evident around the league,” said former Edmonton offensive lineman Blake Dermott, now a part of the team’s radio broadcasts. “There’s a reason the first seven weeks of the season, (CFL commissioner) Randy Ambrosie was in Edmonton three times.”
Dermott understands why crowds are sparse. But that doesn’t make it any easier for a proud member of the Edmonton football community.
“It’s just been really challenging,” he said. “When you’re born in Edmonton, when you’ve grown up in Edmonton, when most of your heroes played for the team … I was lucky enough to play for them for 14 years, broadcast for 10 years, it’s been a big part of my life. To see it go from 55,000 in stands to if you’ve got 10 minutes you might be able to count them all, it’s tough.”
To be fair, Edmonton isn’t the only team with attendance concerns. (Outside of Winnipeg, does anyone truly feel great right now?).
Even Saskatchewan, the supposed centre of the CFL universe, has way more empty seats than usual.
But the Roughriders, who also haven’t been great on the field the past couple years, are on a zero-game home losing streak.
For the Elks, of course, it’s a different story.
Until that storyline changes, don’t expect the crowd size to jump.
“If they start winning games, they’ll be fine,” Pretty said.
“If they don’t, I don’t know.”
What We Liked in Week 9
• New Montreal Alouettes defensive end Shawn Lemon’s big performance in a win in Hamilton — two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble.
• Stampeders QB Jake Maier’s smarter play in a win over the Toronto Argonauts. He completed 22 of 24 passes for 149 yards and avoided any costly interceptions.
What We Didn’t Like in Week 9
• Argos star QB Chad Kelly exiting with an ankle injury in the first half in Calgary. The good news is he was a full participant in practice as the Argos returned to the field on Wednesday.
• Ottawa Redblacks coach Bob Dyce’s decision to take a go-ahead field goal with just over a minute left on third-and-one at the Roughriders one-yard line instead of going for a TD. Sure enough, the Roughriders then got into field-goal range and won it. Way too conservative a call by Ottawa.
Power Rankings
1. Toronto Argonauts (6-1, 1st last week): Injury to Kelly exposed team’s lack of QB depth.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-2, 3rd last week): A 50-14 demolition of B.C. after a bye week was a statement.
3. B.C. Lions (6-2, 2nd last week): QB Vernon Adams Jr. expected to return this week after missing two games with a knee injury.
4. Montreal Alouettes (4-3, 4th last week): Have won two in a row and get Saskatchewan and Ottawa next.
5. Calgary Stampeders (3-5, 6th last week): Started daunting part of schedule with much-needed win over Toronto.
6. Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-4, 8th last week): QB Mason Fine played well in win over Ottawa.
7. Ottawa Redblacks (3-5, 5th last week): Tough test in Toronto looms after heartbreaking loss last week.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-5, 7th last week): Longtime CFL coach Scott Milanovich the new offensive co-ordinator after team parted ways with Tommy Condell this week.
9. Edmonton Elks (0-8, 9th last week): Will this team be any better after a bye?
Week 10 Picks
Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Elks (-11), Thursday, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT: Elks should get at least a bit of a spark with the fleet-footed Ford starting. PICK: Winnipeg
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes (-5), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT: Alouettes QB Cody Fajardo (ex-Riders starter) has been limited in practice all week, but head coach Jason Maas (ex-Riders offensive co-ordinator) has said his starter is expected to play. PICK: Saskatchewan
Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions (-6.5), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Stamps have a losing record, but are just -9 in points for/allowed. We see a close game. PICK: Calgary
Ottawa Redblacks at Toronto Argonauts (-10.5), Sunday, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT: Kelly vs. Dustin Crum is a fun quarterback matchup. PICK: Ottawa
Odds from Odds Shark as of Wednesday night.
2023 Picks Record: 17-18
