Courtesy Edmonton Journal:

The revamped Edmonton Eskimos are set to touch down in Regina today in preparation for Saturday’s CFL regular-season kickoff against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

With 22 new faces in the lineup, the Eskimos definitely underwent a drastic makeover during the winter. In fact, head coach Danny Maciocia burned up the transaction wire with news virtually every single day.

Gone are such stalwarts as kicker Sean Fleming, linebacker A.J. Gass, fullback Miek Maurer and tailback Mike Bradley. On board are a plethora of newcomers including defensive end Fred Perry,

defensive lineman Dario Romero, kick returner Tristan Jackson and defensive back Keith Williams.

But will the fresh faces make a difference? Especially considering the strength of the wild West Division?

“I just see the depth we have this year at key positions,” slotback Kamau Peterson said, surveying the Eskimos locker-room. “We just didn’t have it last year.

“I think we’ll be just fine.”

The rest of the story will be told over the next 18 weeks. But here’s how the Eskimos shape up for the 2008 season:

Coaching staff

Danny Maciocia is back as head coach and director of football operations, in spite of cries for his job from fans irate over two consecutive seasons out of the playoffs.

His coaching staff, however, looks nothing like the crew that stumbled to a 5-12-1 finish in 2007.

Gone are Jacques Chapedelaine (offensive co-ordinator), Carl Brennan (offensive line), Scott Squires (special teams), Malvin Hunter (defensive line) and Bill MacDermott (advance scout).

The men in charge this season include Rick Worman (offensive co-ordinator), Ronnie Vinklarek (offensive line), Mike Kelly (receivers), Don Wnek (defensive line) and Noel Thorpe (special teams). Linebacker A.J. Gass retired to take an entry-level coaching job as a defensive assistant.

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