Ed Hervey Fired

[ArgoGabe22]

Why Len Rhodes was wrong to fire Hervey.

http://3downnation.com/2017/04/09/le...ire-ed-hervey/

[1971GreyCup]

Len Rhodes interview was quite telling. Contract impasse and Hervey's resistance to accept CFL events like live mikes and media and fan acces were reasons given. Rhodes thinks the competitive advantage of the CFL in Edmonton was the accessibility of the players. It is so important that the players stories are told. Apparently Harvey restricted media and fan access to players. When he didn't back down, he was relieved of duties. Right or wrong will be determined in time. If Rhodes is wrong, he knows he'll have to go.

[1971GreyCup]

According to Len's bio, it just looks like he walks the talk.

Len Rhodes has a clear vision for the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club and that is to create a sports and entertainment experience worthy of champions. He maintains the highest standards for on-field success, the stadium fan experience and is dedicated to enhancing the Eskimos presence in the community.

Since he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer on Dec. 1, 2011, Rhodes has taken a football first approach, committing club resources to Football Operations and hiring General Manager Ed Hervey to lead the Eskimos Football Operations.

In 2015, Rhodes won his first Grey Cup championship as President and CEO.

Rhodes believes that an Eskimos game day experience should be all about the fans. He led a partnership with the Disney Institute to improve the guest experience. Together, with his on-field and off-field staff, his objective is to create legendary memories for guests at the stadium. Rhodes has overseen many upgrades at Commonwealth Stadium to significantly improve the game day experience.

He is also committed to significantly increasing funding for amateur football in Northern Alberta through the 50/50 program. After automating the system, the program raised and distributed $610,000 for amateur football in 2015 alone.

Rhodes is a consumer champion who has a solid reputation for “making things happen.” He brings senior executive experience from the sporting goods and consumer goods sectors where he held leading management roles with iconic brands and organizations, including Reebok-CCM Hockey, Molson Coors Brewing Company and Heinz. He is known for his ability to lead organizational turnarounds.

Prior to joining the Green and Gold, Rhodes oversaw the global operations of Reebok-CCM Hockey. As Senior Vice-President & General Manager, he led the worldwide launch of Reebok Hockey and made it a recognized global leader. Rhodes was also on the negotiating team that formed the exclusive long-term alliance between the National Hockey League and Reebok-CCM Hockey.

As an extremely active community member, Rhodes serves on the board of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and he has made approximately 100 community appearances on behalf of the Edmonton Eskimos in each of the last four years. He was subsequently named a CEASE Man of Honour for his efforts in assisting WIN House and women who are survivors of domestic violence. Rhodes is also an alternate on the CFL Board of Governors. In 2015, Rhodes was named to Edmonton’s Power 30 Group by the Edmonton Journal and in 2016, he was also named to Alberta Venture Magazine’s list of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People.

A native of Schefferville, Quebec, Rhodes was raised in Montreal where he graduated from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Major in Marketing, earned with distinction. He is fluent in English and French, and his personal interests revolve around sports, business, his love of dogs and travel.

He has a daughter, Melissa, whom he loves dearly. She works and resides in Montreal.

[jerrym]

One knock on ex#Esks GM Eric Tillman was he was too cozy with media. Now Hervey fired because he wasn't. Rhodes responsible for both. #CFL

— Drew Edwards (@scratchingpost) April 7, 2017

[jerrym]

The Eskimos are restricted in who they can now hire as GM by CFL rules.

5. (key one right now for @EdmontonEsks) (c) the contact above shall only be permitted during the two-month time period of
Dec 1 to Jan. 31;

— gary lawless (@garylawless) April 8, 2017

[hugoagogo]

Interesting to read some comments today that none of Hervey's draft picks over 4 years at the helm are starters. Yet they were still able to win a Grey Cup. Very interesting.

That is true - most of his Canadian starters have been acquired via trade or were older vets.
It should be noted though - all five players Hervey drafted in 2015 are on their current roster - I don't think there is another CFL club that can say that - plus both OL Danny Groulx and David Beard are very close to being starters after two years of backing up.

[OV Argo]

That is true - most of his Canadian starters have been acquired via trade or were older vets.
It should be noted though - all five players Hervey drafted in 2015 are on their current roster - I don't think there is another CFL club that can say that - plus both OL Danny Groulx and David Beard are very close to being starters after two years of backing up.

Mr. Ed took a big gamble with his 1st & 2nd round picks in last year's draft - receiver Tevaun Smith & DB Arjen Colquhon - who were both on NFL radar and continue to hang around down there for this season (far as I know?); then, he had traded away both his 3rd & 4th round picks = so - the end result was zip/nadda NI additions to the Esks' roster last year via the 1st 4 rounds of the draft = not good at all. Might be OK if you have plenty of NI talent - both quality and depth quantity - to begin with, but that was probably not the case - IMO.

At least they signed a top notch Canadian talent in Greenwood this off-season, but they let go their 2 former starter NI DTs (Steele & Don O) and starting receiver Nate Coehoorn just retired (they did sign Shawmad Chambers again after he did little with the Riders).

A new GM might do a much better job of addressing needs with draft picks who are going to show-up and be a fit. They might also get lucky if Smith & Colquhon get released from the NFL and decide to come north.

[hugoagogo]

Mr. Ed took a big gamble with his 1st & 2nd round picks in last year's draft - receiver Tevaun Smith & DB Arjen Colquhon - who were both on NFL radar and continue to hang around down there for this season (far as I know?); then, he had traded away both his 3rd & 4th round picks = so - the end result was zip/nadda NI additions to the Esks' roster last year via the 1st 4 rounds of the draft = not good at all. Might be OK if you have plenty of NI talent - both quality and depth quantity - to begin with, but that was probably not the case - IMO.

At least they signed a top notch Canadian talent in Greenwood this off-season, but they let go their 2 former starter NI DTs (Steele & Don O) and starting receiver Nate Coehoorn just retired (they did sign Shawmad Chambers again after he did little with the Riders).

A new GM might do a much better job of addressing needs with draft picks who are going to show-up and be a fit. They might also get lucky if Smith & Colquhon get released from the NFL and decide to come north.

I hear what you are saying, but I think Ed's record speaks volumes - a Grey Cup and two division finals in the past three years. Sometimes your Canadian talent doesn't come through who YOU draft, but who you acquire by other means. Ed was a good GM and he was not fired because of his inability to run football ops. He did what the fans wanted.
...and yes, hopefully the new guy (whoever he is) can pick up the pieces and hit the ground running. It was a poor time of year to let go of the GM.