Edmonton Elks Thread

[paulwoods13]

Do we want Collins back?

Decoud has had his struggles in Edmonton too so I wonder how long he will stay there.

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Right now, there is no need for Collins or another experienced DB. Priester is able to back up at least some of the positions. But if we were to lose either Peters or McFadden to injury, I'd be open to bringing Collins back (with the caveat that I don't know if there were any off-field issues when he was here; Dinwiddie seemed to imply there might have been, but he named no specific individual).

[AngeloV]

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Right now, there is no need for Collins or another experienced DB. Priester is able to back up at least some of the positions. But if we were to lose either Peters or McFadden to injury, I'd be open to bringing Collins back (with the caveat that I don't know if there were any off-field issues when he was here; Dinwiddie seemed to imply there might have been, but he named no specific individual).

The fact that Collins was released again tells me he may be a malcontent. No question he can play, but I say look elsewhere for depth. He started in a Super Bowl and just might not have the respect for this league. Pure speculation on my part, but there has to be something wrong for 2 teams to now give up on a guy as talented as he is.

[ArgoRavi]

The fact that Collins was released again tells me he may be a malcontent. No question he can play, but I say look elsewhere for depth. He started in a Super Bowl and just might not have the respect for this league. Pure speculation on my part, but there has to be something wrong for 2 teams to now give up on a guy as talented as he is.

Collins also had the advantage of playing for Chris Jones in Toronto last year.

[ArgoGabe22]

The fact that Collins was released again tells me he may be a malcontent. No question he can play, but I say look elsewhere for depth. He started in a Super Bowl and just might not have the respect for this league. Pure speculation on my part, but there has to be something wrong for 2 teams to now give up on a guy as talented as he is.

I'm guessing a lot of it was weed, so it may not be a big deal now but he has been suspended 4 times in the NFL and failed drug tests prior to the draft.

[Will]

I'm guessing a lot of it was weed, so it may not be a big deal now but he has been suspended 4 times in the NFL and failed drug tests prior to the draft.

Not sure I'm following.

[ArgoGabe22]

Not sure I'm following.

Everywhere Collins goes, he has been suspended both in college and in the NFL. I don't know if this means he has character issues, but he has a history. But I believe some of those suspensions were due to weed, so is it really a big deal these days to use that against him?

[jerrym]

The Elks were beaten badly again 46-14 by BC. Certainly there is a talent problem but there is also a problem with Jones constant changing of the roster, with 72 players having already been used, leading to a lack of teamwork.

[ArgoRavi]

The Elks were beaten badly again 46-14 by BC. Certainly there is a talent problem but there is also a problem with Jones constant changing of the roster, with 72 players having already been used, leading to a lack of teamwork.

I assign a fair bit of blame to Jones for the Argos not making it to the Grey Cup in either 2013 or 2021. He has a tendency to over-tinker with the defence and he did that both of those seasons. Conversely, he left the 2012 defence largely intact from start to finish that year and the Argos won the Grey Cup.

[Will]

The Elks had given up 386 passing yards at 1/2 time. I know Matt Dunigan threw for 384 yards in a 1/2 against Ottawa in 1991. I wonder if Rourke set the record?

[Argo57]

The Elks had given up 386 passing yards at 1/2 time. I know Matt Dunigan threw for 384 yards in a 1/2 against Ottawa in 1991. I wonder if Rourke set the record?

The “defensive guru” is losing his touch.

[Will]

The “defensive guru” is losing his touch.

Does he have the necessary talent though?

[ArgoRavi]

Does he have the necessary talent though?

Tough to know given the constant turnstile there.

[Argo57]

Does he have the necessary talent though?

Impossible to tell, Jones seems to prefer the revolving door approach with his roster.
There was a time when it was believed Jones could elevate a mediocre defensive roster with his brilliant schemes, those days appear to be over.

[gilthethrill]

Impossible to tell, Jones seems to prefer the revolving door approach with his roster.
There was a time when it was believed Jones could elevate a mediocre defensive roster with his brilliant schemes, those days appear to be over.

So you are saying that it is uncommon these days to cut 10 players from your roster in a single day and sign 5 new players the same day????

[Argo57]

So you are saying that it is uncommon these days to cut 10 players from your roster in a single day and sign 5 new players the same day????

I guess we are saying Jones’s approach is rather unique.

[argolio]

It'll be interesting to see if the Elks deal Lawler and his $300K salary at the deadline. Edmonton could turn things around next year with the right QB (Tre Ford?) and some good free agents. Jones has done it before.

[ArgoRavi]

In fairness to Jones, the approach he is using in his second stint in Edmonton is exactly what he did when he moved from Edmonton to Saskatchewan in 2016. He went through around 100 players in 2016, if I am recalling correctly, and was able to turn that team into a contender in 2017 and 2018. I am not crazy about that approach myself but he has had success with it.

[OV Argo]

In fairness to Jones, the approach he is using in his second stint in Edmonton is exactly what he did when he moved from Edmonton to Saskatchewan in 2016. He went through around 100 players in 2016, if I am recalling correctly, and was able to turn that team into a contender in 2017 and 2018. I am not crazy about that approach myself but he has had success with it.

Oh, give him the full season - just wait and see; and then if he fails, some other CFL GOB owner/GM will give him another shot. Pathetic/ embarassing.

[ArgoRavi]

Oh, give him the full season - just wait and see; and then if he fails, some other CFL GOB owner/GM will give him another shot. Pathetic/ embarassing.

I think it's safe to say that Jones has a lot of rope in Edmonton so I really don't think it matters what his record is there this year, OV. He will be back with the Elks next season.

[OV Argo]

I think it's safe to say that Jones has a lot of rope in Edmonton so I really don't think it matters what his record is there this year, OV. He will be back with the Elks next season.

Very, very sad IMO Ravi - that a once top notch organization/team had such a poor season last year AND responded with hiring a tired, same old GOB hack as Jones for BOTH GM & HC. And a guy who had rejected/ fled them before and then did the same thing to his next CFL team for a Mickey Mouse NFL job. The clown show job at both GM & HC thus far this season looks good on them.

Long-time former Esk (and GC winner) Chris Morris was around the corner with tons of CFL experience and coaching experience as HC of the Alberta Bears; but he's a Canadian and likely not a card carrying GOB, so I guess they had no thought of approaching him (not saying he would have taken the job - maybe?), or another experienced Canadian football coach/person ?