Edmonton Elks thread (2)

[AngeloV]

MBT signs with Edmonton.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/e...ompson-report/

I don't think I can say enough how big an MBT fan I am, but IMO, Chris Jones has had has lost his mind. By bringing in MBT, I can almost guarantee he will lose Ford after this season. Ford, will end up in Hamilton or Ottawa for 2025, and Edmonton will be asking themselves why.

[Argo57]

I don't think I can say enough how big an MBT fan I am, but IMO, Chris Jones has had has lost his mind. By bringing in MBT, I can almost guarantee he will lose Ford after this season. Ford, will end up in Hamilton or Ottawa for 2025, and Edmonton will be asking themselves why.

100% agree, I think Chris Jones is desperately trying to save his job at this point.

[OV Argo]

100% agree, I think Chris Jones is desperately trying to save his job at this point.

Sad thing is, he shouldn't have a job there still after the past 2 clown act seasons; those running that EE team are idiots IMO - feel bad for their fan-base.

Even with MBT, I doubt they make the play-offs this season - Jones and his coaching staff will be out to lunch. Which West teams will they be better than?

And Ford would be smarter to stick with a team with an aging vet QB rather than going to teams that have other young QBs whose resumes they value more. Crum in Ottawa or Powell in the Hammer might have pretty good futures there, even if they are not #1 starters this coming season.

[paulwoods13]

Chris Jones has had has lost his mind. By bringing in MBT, I can almost guarantee he will lose Ford after this season. Ford, will end up in Hamilton or Ottawa for 2025, and Edmonton will be asking themselves why.

I won't go so far as almost guaranteeing it, but IMO this move puts Elks into playoff contention. Next year can be sorted out next year -- Jones won't have a next year if the Elks don't win this year.

[AngeloV]

I won't go so far as almost guaranteeing it, but IMO this move puts Elks into playoff contention. Next year can be sorted out next year -- Jones won't have a next year if the Elks don't win this year.

I disagree. You're expecting MBT to come in and pick up where he left off with the Argos. I don't expect it. I think they have a better chance at success with Ford at QB. He was quite good last year and I expected him to improve this year. MBT might start to drop in play at this stage in his career, and being away from the league for a year. I watched every game he played in the USFL because I am a fan of his. IMO, he didn't improve as the season went on.

[kellynjk]

Yeah I agree, I watched a couple of his games in the USFL and he was okay, nothing special. It's a one year contract and MBT turns 36 this year, so maybe it's a short term strategy. It's a shame that it sounds like Tre Ford will now be back-up and one wonders whether he'll be interested in sticking around if he doesn't know when he'll be chosen as the starter. Can't believe that Edmonton is sticking with Chris Jones - he certainly doesn't seem to have solid plans for developing the team!

[paulwoods13]

Can't believe that Edmonton is sticking with Chris Jones - he certainly doesn't seem to have solid plans for developing the team!

The Elks have been hamstrung big-time by the mgmt salary cap, and firing Jones before his contract expires would just add to that. It's not nearly as easy as it used to be to get rid of coaches and personnel people. They are all in with Jones for at least one more year, and he is obviously going all in to win this year, and let the future take care of itself.

And Ford can walk after the season regardless of whether or not he plays much. Arguably he will be better off, future-contract-wise, sitting most of this season and committing to learning the nuances of playing QB than he would be if he played a lot and relied mostly on his athleticism, as has been the case so far in his brief career.

[paulwoods13]

I disagree. You're expecting MBT to come in and pick up where he left off with the Argos. I don't expect it. I think they have a better chance at success with Ford at QB. He was quite good last year and I expected him to improve this year. MBT might start to drop in play at this stage in his career, and being away from the league for a year. I watched every game he played in the USFL because I am a fan of his. IMO, he didn't improve as the season went on.

The Breakers' o-line was abysmal from about week 3 on. He led the league in passing despite that. Sure, MBT might drop in play at this stage in his career, and Ford might be ready to excel. But the opposite of both might also happen, and I'd put more money on the latter than the former.

Ford has played less than a full season in the CFL, and before that he was playing against OUA competition. To expect him to become a top-notch starter at this point would be foolhardy, which I think explains Jones deciding he needs a more experienced, proven starter. I believe that opinion is shared by execs and coaches around the league. And most if not all likely feel the same way about Powell, Crum and T. Adams. All of them might become stars or at least long-term starters, but none -- including Ford -- is a sure bet to do so. Rourke was a unicorn.

[AngeloV]

The Breakers' o-line was abysmal from about week 3 on. He led the league in passing despite that. Sure, MBT might drop in play at this stage in his career, and Ford might be ready to excel. But the opposite of both might also happen, and I'd put more money on the latter than the former.

Ford has played less than a full season in the CFL, and before that he was playing against OUA competition. To expect him to become a top-notch starter at this point would be foolhardy, which I think explains Jones deciding he needs a more experienced, proven starter. I believe that opinion is shared by execs and coaches around the league. And most if not all likely feel the same way about Powell, Crum and T. Adams. All of them might become stars or at least long-term starters, but none -- including Ford -- is a sure bet to do so. Rourke was a unicorn.

Like I said, I watched every game he played. WAs he pressured at times? Sure, but not as much as you are making it seem. He will get pressured even more in Edmonton. Ford is just too good a dual threat to sit him after the way he finished last year. We will continue to disagree here, but I think time will prove, this was a very bad decision by the Elks. Jones hasn't made many good decisions since going back to Edmonton.