Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:

A series of pre-season status reports on CFL teams

Today: The Edmonton Eskimos

When will the glory return for the green and gold?

Edmonton Eskimos’ head coach and vice-president of football operations Danny Maciocia had better hope the turnaround at least begins to show up in 2008.

Unlike in Hamilton, where losing seasons have become commonplace, that’s not the case for the club that calls Commonwealth Stadium home.

For 34 consecutive seasons — a North America pro sports record — the Eskies found a way to the post-season, including a Grey Cup victory in 2005. But not the past two seasons.

Still, Maciocia and quarterback Ricky Ray said yesterday that expectations remain high in northern Alberta, even with a club that boasts plenty of new faces.

“Our fans expect us to win. I think when you are on a losing team you don’t have those expectations. Here in Edmonton everyone has the expectation that you will get to the playoffs and compete for the Grey Cup,” Ray said.

The coaching staff has been revamped. There are new faces at offensive co-ordinator/QB coach (Rick Worman), offensive line boss (Ronnie Vinklarek), a receiver coach (Mike Kelly), a defensive line mentor in Don Wnek, and at special teams (Noel Thorpe). And former middle linebacker A.J. Gass is a defensive assistant.

There are plenty of new faces in the locker-room as well. Fred Perry and Dario Romaro should add some thump and bump to the defensive line with a healthy Brandon Guillory, Ron Warner and Adam Braidwood. Former Ticat Agustin Barrenechea and returnee Siddeeq Shabazz add some slam and bam to the linebackers corps. And former Argo cornerback Jordan Younger will help in a secondary that features Shannon Garrett and one-time Ticat Jason Goss.

Perennial all-star Ray is back from a shoulder injury that shortened his season and is joined by backup Stefan LeFors and former Tabbie Jason Maas.

And the QBs will have targets. Mainly Jason Tucker, Stoney Creek’s Andrew Nowacki and ex-Ticats Brock Ralph and Kamau Peterson. Tucker was hurt last season and limited to 51 catches. Ralph had 50 for Hamilton. Peterson had a turnaround season and led the Eskies with 80 snags for 1,068 yards.

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