Sep
Edmonton: Ray can’t escape critical eyes
Courtesy Edmonton Journal:
The Edmonton Eskimos’ dramatic 31-27 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday settled nothing in the CFL’s wild West Division, surely not the tender stomachs of any faint-hearted fans.
Now 6-5 on the season and locked in a three-way, first-place tie with Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders, head coach Richie Hall’s comeback Eskimos are right in the mix. The roller-coaster ride continues, so keep the Maalox handy.
After being swept by Calgary in the Labour Day home-and-home, the Eskimos are in position to sweep the Roughriders and create something like separation atop the division.
Of course, Edmonton fans have heard that before. That issue may be clarified on Saturday afternoon at Commonwealth Stadium in front of what will certainly be the biggest crowd in the CFL this season.
But if a victory like Sunday’s could not resolve any team’s placing in the standings, could it at least stifle the rather weird, ongoing muttering by some Edmonton fans about the job performance of Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray? At least for a while? Please?
Fans think with their hearts and that must be respected.
So if some fans would prefer to see the more demonstrative, stronger-armed Jason Maas trot out to take snaps from centre more often, well, chalk that up to taste.
Some fans may even have been excited to see rookie Jared Zabransky at quarterback on the Eskimos’ first play from scrimmage. Nothing wrong with opening with the element of surprise.
But after that, Ray, following the new offensive blueprint created by co-ordinator Kevin Strasser, was perfect for the first half–16-for-16 for 139 yards and a touchdown pass to go-to receiver Fred Stamps.
Ray sliced and diced a tough Saskatchewan defence, leading the Eskimos to three first-half touchdowns, two on short runs by Arkee Whitlock, on three time-consuming drives.
For the second straight game, Ray led the Edmonton offence on a game-opening TD drive. He had his completion streak up to 20 for 20 and the Eskimos two yards away from a major score to open the second half with a 28-10 lead that might have proved too big a mountain for even the plucky Roughriders.
Then Whitlock fumbled and Saskatchewan corner Omarr Morgan took off for a 108-yard TD run the other way. Now it was 21-17, a 14-point swing, just like that. Oops!
Since the game was at Mosaic Stadium, a brisk wind began howling and a steady drizzle commenced.
How appropriate. That stadium has been a Gothic nightmare for the Eskimos, who had lost eight of their last 10 games there before winning a pair in spectacular fashion this season.
But it wasn’t Ray’s fault that what could have been a near-laugher became a down-to-the-wire nail-biter.
Suddenly, Eskimos receivers couldn’t hold on to the ball, whether it was Stamps, Maurice Mann, Kamau Peterson or Jamaica Rector.
Speaking in a post-game interview on 630 CHED, Ray told Dave Campbell, “Those were not easy catches. It was raining, it was windy… ”
Ray was not wrong and he certainly was not unkind to his teammates.
Most important, he wasn’t rattled. That’s a key part of the Ray package. He doesn’t rattle.
Many people–general managers, head coaches, teammates, and many fans–really like that in a quarterback. The Eskimos sure do.
It’s one reason middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd chastised the fans for booing Ray off the field after that 40-22 loss back on July 16.
That wasn’t Ray’s only low moment this season, but the team’s faith in their veteran QB is unshakable.
Ray’s composure, his accurate arm, his smarts, his quiet leadership and much else are why, the novelty of Zabransky’s surprise game-opening appearance aside, Ray is out there, play after play for Edmonton.
As the games get tougher to win down the stretch, the Eskimos are going to need Ray at his best, also.
The defending Grey Cup champion Stampeders acquired receivers Arjei Franklin and Rombey Bryant from Winnipeg on Sunday, filling holes created by injuries to Ken-Yon Rambo and Ryan Thelwell.
Sunday’s loss notwithstanding, the revamped Roughriders seem to be improving at the same pace as their rapidly maturing quarterback, Darian Durant.
CFL opponents underestimate Wally Buono’s B.C. Lions at their peril.
CFL opponents long ago learned not to underestimate Ray’s importance to the Eskimos, either.
Precisely why a rearguard faction of Edmonton fans grumble about Ray remains a mystery.
