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RGONAUTS.CA STAFF
The rollercoaster ride continues for the Edmonton Eskimos. Head Coach Richie Hall and his crew entered their last matchup against the Boatmen plummeting down the standings after climbing up the win column with a solid stretch of ‘w’s early in the year. Typical of their season so far, they put in a strong effort against the Argos, especially on the defensive side of the ball, only to drop a 30-7 West Division battle to the Calgary Stampeders the following week.
The inconsistency can irk Hall and his staff but he may find comfort in the fact that he knows when he team is firing on all cylinders; they can be as good as any in the West Division. Ricky Ray has put in another stellar campaign, currently sitting as the league’s leading passer with 4,336 yards. He ranks 20th in the league in touchdown passes and also possesses the CFL’s premier receiver in Fred Stamps.
Always a threat throughout his three-year CFL career, Stamps is putting together a career year, recording 1,161 yards which stands far and above as the league’s best. In fact, Stamps currently sits as the league’s only player to catch for 1,000 yards or more so far this season.
With a playoff spot up for grabs in both divisions, the Esks cannot afford to get off to a slow start against the Argos who have been excellent defensively in terms of slowing down the home team’s momentum on the road. The Esks will likely look to serve up a heavy dose of RB Arkee Whitlock to the Argos’ front seven this week. The Argos have done a masterful job of shutting down the opponent’s rushing attack after years of being trampled by opposing running backs, however, Whitlock seemed to pose a problem for the Double Blue in their last meeting.
Whitlock carried the ball 17 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns the last time the two teams met and also added the major that effectively put the contest out of reach.
» QB Ricky Ray
» RB Arkee Whitlock
» WR Maurice Mann
» SB Kamau Peterson
» SB Fred Stamps
» CB Byron Parker
» LB Maurice Lloyd
» LB T.J. Hill
» P/K Noel Prefontaine
» KR/CB Tritan Jackson
» Will Arkee Whitlock see as many carries as he did the last time these two teams met?
» Which Eskimos squad will show up on Friday?
» Can the Esks sustain pressure on a mobile Joseph and shut down RB Jamal Robertson?