Edmonton Elks thread (2)

[AngeloV]

Let’s try and keep the topic to football here and not thoughts on anything that has nothing to do with football. I don’t believe I need to expand on that, and if I do, we have a serious problem.

Can the Elks break the home losing streak and start and actual winning streak against the RedBlacks this week? I personally took the RedBlacks because they really need to win to stay in the playoff hunt, while I think it is too late for the Elks. This might actually be a good game.

[OV Argo]

Let’s try and keep the topic to football here and not thoughts on anything that has nothing to do with football. I don’t believe I need to expand on that, and if I do, we have a serious problem.

Can the Elks break the home losing streak and start and actual winning streak against the RedBlacks this week? I personally took the RedBlacks because they really need to win to stay in the playoff hunt, while I think it is too late for the Elks. This might actually be a good game.

EE beat Ottawa and then maybe could win the back-to-back LD classics against a Stamps team that has some issues; and all of a sudden they have 4 wins and are in the play-off hunt ?

Tre Ford vs. Crum in a battle of 2 young QBs - Ford has more talent IMO, both as a passer and a run threat, but offensive coaching and play-calling smarts are what will make the difference IMO.

[ArgoRavi]

Let’s try and keep the topic to football here and not thoughts on anything that has nothing to do with football. I don’t believe I need to expand on that, and if I do, we have a serious problem.

Can the Elks break the home losing streak and start and actual winning streak against the RedBlacks this week? I personally took the RedBlacks because they really need to win to stay in the playoff hunt, while I think it is too late for the Elks. This might actually be a good game.

I can't believe I am going to pick Edmonton in this one but I am going to do just that. Surely, their home losing streak has to end this week. I really hope that I don't get bitten by that team yet again.

Back in 1971, Edmonton was 1-10 when they brought Bruce Lemmerman in to QB the team and they won their final five games that season and contended shortly thereafter. Tre Ford may be to this Edmonton team what Lemmerman was to that one.

[jerrym]

There was just two pieces of good news this year in Edmonton, Tre Ford basically bringing the Elks back from the dead and the play of DB who won the West Division nominee for Rookie of the Year.

[ArgoGabe22]

Elks have signed Arland Bruce IV, who was kicked out of college for betting on his own games. Interestingly, his father tried suing the CFL with no luck so a bit strange to have his son go the league you tried to sue. However, there is no mention that his father is Arland Bruce III on his college bio.

[Will]

Elks have signed Arland Bruce IV, who was kicked out of college for betting on his own games. Interestingly, his father tried suing the CFL with no luck so a bit strange to have his son go the league you tried to sue. However, there is no mention that his father is Arland Bruce III on his college bio.

I noted that as well -- his mother's name is mentioned.

[gilthethrill]

Edmonton has been cleared of all cap violations regarding its football operations. This could free up HC Chris Jones from his DC responsibilities allowing him to hire Jason Shivers as speculated.

[OV Argo]

According to 3 Down - EE & Jonestown are making a push to sign MBT - to give them an experienced QB heading into the season; that clown Jones should have been punted way out of town there IMO, but the clueless who hired him don't have the guts or ca$h i guess. Jones will be desperate to win after 2 brutal losing seasons; maybe MBT could be the ticket? Tre Ford = a decent back-up who can scramble.

[Argo57]

According to 3 Down - EE & Jonestown are making a push to sign MBT - to give them an experienced QB heading into the season; that clown Jones should have been punted way out of town there IMO, but the clueless who hired him don't have the guts or ca$h i guess. Jones will be desperate to win after 2 brutal losing seasons; maybe MBT could be the ticket? Tre Ford = a decent back-up who can scramble.

Im sure the thought of reuniting with an offensive “guru” like Jarious Jackson may be too much for MBT to resist.

[Argo57]

MBT signs with Edmonton.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/edmonton-elks-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson-report/

[AngeloV]

MBT signs with Edmonton.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/edmonton-elks-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson-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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[gilthethrill]

I might be mistaken but didn’t Ben Grant state that Ford would be in the NFL next season?

[paulwoods13]

I might be mistaken but didn’t Ben Grant state that Ford would be in the NFL next season?

I doubt he would have made such a prediction, but he might have speculated that Ford would be interested in exploring NFL options, just as his brother did and just as every CFL player would, if given the opportunity. Ford is a good enough athlete that he might get some NFL interest, but I really doubt it would be as a QB. If Rourke can't get much of a sniff, why would the much-less-accomplished Ford?

[ArgoRavi]

I doubt he would have made such a prediction, but he might have speculated that Ford would be interested in exploring NFL options, just as his brother did and just as every CFL player would, if given the opportunity. Ford is a good enough athlete that he might get some NFL interest, but I really doubt it would be as a QB. If Rourke can't get much of a sniff, why would the much-less-accomplished Ford?

I think it was Justin Dunk who may have predicted NFL interest in Tre Ford. I agree with your assessment here, Paul. I also wonder what Tre's brother will do as he was released by Green Bay last summer and has yet to sign anywhere.

[OV Argo]

An NFL team that relies on a run threat / mobile QB as the driver of their offence (like the Ravens or the Bears), MIGHT be interested in taking a look at Ford as a back-up QB, but I doubt it. And Ford is way faster/quicker than Nathan Rourke - whose far superior demonstrated passing skills in the CFL has meant nothing to the NFL experts; though Rourke is a very good running QB talent, but that did not need to show much in the CFL, and the NFL experts might not know much about Rourke's run skills.

[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.

[Argo57]

Seems some are surprised Edmonton went along this path considering Ford’s potential.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/06/tsn-analyst-jim-barker-says-there-are-a-lot-of-people-that-believe-tre-ford-is-the-next-great-canadian-quarterback/

[OV Argo]

Seems some are surprised Edmonton went along this path considering Ford’s potential.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/06/tsn-analyst-jim-barker-says-there-are-a-lot-of-people-that-believe-tre-ford-is-the-next-great-canadian-quarterback/

They shouldn't be surprised with desperate teams making some real dumb decisions when they think they can find a couple of star savior players and will over-pay them big time. Was the Ticats example last season not good enough ?

IF MBT (or Bo last year) were Doug Flutie or Matt Dunigan in their primes, then the team and it's fans could be very hopeful with that big signing. These are far from it - not even same area code - examples and reek of desperation. But not surprising coming from the myopic, limited football minds in charge.

[paulwoods13]

Seems some are surprised Edmonton went along this path considering Ford’s potential.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/06/tsn-analyst-jim-barker-says-there-are-a-lot-of-people-that-believe-tre-ford-is-the-next-great-canadian-quarterback/

This is entirely based on a single source: Barker. He can say (and even believe) that "a lot of people" think X; that doesn't mean it's true.

As for the "next great Cdn QB" -- who was the last great Cdn QB? Rourke? Or do we go back as far as Jackson? If Ford ends up being in the same echelon as either of those guys, that would be fantastic for the league and for him. But he has dressed for 26 games, and seen playing time in about 12. He has thrown fewer than 300 passes as a pro. Seems pretty early to be anointing him as potentially one of the greats. And again, maybe the best way to attain his potential (whatever it is) is to learn the nuances of playing QB. That doesn't necessarily require a lot of playing time at this stage of his career.

[OV Argo]

This is entirely based on a single source: Barker. He can say (and even believe) that "a lot of people" think X; that doesn't mean it's true.

As for the "next great Cdn QB" -- who was the last great Cdn QB? Rourke? Or do we go back as far as Jackson? If Ford ends up being in the same echelon as either of those guys, that would be fantastic for the league and for him. But he has dressed for 26 games, and seen playing time in about 12. He has thrown fewer than 300 passes as a pro. Seems pretty early to be anointing him as potentially one of the greats. And again, maybe the best way to attain his potential (whatever it is) is to learn the nuances of playing QB. That doesn't necessarily require a lot of playing time at this stage of his career.

I believe we might have trouble finding a lot of football minds thinking that, a young QB with some obvious demonstrated already skills, should be sent back to the bench in his 3rd season, unless it was to be a good back-up for a newly acquired and also fairly young, league best QB level talent; to help that team on the rise make a serious run for the Championship.

Ford the rookie, with vet MBT at the helm, might have been good for the EE team (and Jones' job) and to help young Ford learn. This is more like desperate clutching at straws to have a winning season; unless some (like ego-Jones) believe MBT really is that superior level CFL QB talent. IMO, he just isn't.

[AngeloV]

This is entirely based on a single source: Barker. He can say (and even believe) that "a lot of people" think X; that doesn't mean it's true.

As for the "next great Cdn QB" -- who was the last great Cdn QB? Rourke? Or do we go back as far as Jackson? If Ford ends up being in the same echelon as either of those guys, that would be fantastic for the league and for him. But he has dressed for 26 games, and seen playing time in about 12. He has thrown fewer than 300 passes as a pro. Seems pretty early to be anointing him as potentially one of the greats. And again, maybe the best way to attain his potential (whatever it is) is to learn the nuances of playing QB. That doesn't necessarily require a lot of playing time at this stage of his career.

Paul, you are alone on an island here.

[paulwoods13]

Paul, you are alone on an island here.

Good to know.

[Argo57]

I believe we might have trouble finding a lot of football minds thinking that, a young QB with some obvious demonstrated already skills, should be sent back to the bench in his 3rd season, unless it was to be a good back-up for a newly acquired and also fairly young, league best QB level talent; to help that team on the rise make a serious run for the Championship.

Ford the rookie, with vet MBT at the helm, might have been good for the EE team (and Jones' job) and to help young Ford learn. This is more like desperate clutching at straws to have a winning season; unless some (like ego-Jones) believe MBT really is that superior level CFL QB talent. IMO, he just isn't.

I don’t see how Ford returns to Edmonton after the 2024 season particularly if Chris Jones is still with the team.
Once trust is broken between a HC and player it’s very hard to circle back.

[ArgofanIan]

MBT signs with Edmonton.

https://3downnation.com/2024/01/05/edmonton-elks-sign-veteran-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson-report/

I'm a big fan of MBT as well. Was hoping he would end up in BC and keep VA on track. Would have made them GC favorites with the big game in Vancouver... but I guess the cap gets in the way. Wish him best of luck and will be cheering for him but worry that Edmonton is a bit of a mess....Think we play Edmonton early in the season so will make for a good game.

[ArgoRavi]

I don’t see how Ford returns to Edmonton after the 2024 season particularly if Chris Jones is still with the team.
Once trust is broken between a HC and player it’s very hard to circle back.

John Hodge from 3downnation.com wrote an opinion piece tonight suggesting that the Elks trade Ford to Hamilton for Taylor Powell: https://3downnation.com/2024/01/07/opinion-edmonton-elks-hamilton-tiger-cats-should-swap-young-qbs/

It may not be the worst idea. I can't see Ford being happy with Jones and the Elks and can't see that changing in a year although anything is possible.

["Issues"Mcgee]

Ford helped the Elks by getting the team out of a historic, multi-season slump and this is how they repay him?

Brutal.

I've got nothing against MBT but part of me hopes this decision ends up being a disaster in the end.

[ArgoGabe22]

Arland Bruce the 4th had his contract voided by the league. I’m guessing it’s because of his gambling, which he already served a suspension in college. I personally think he deserves a second chance. What’s funny is that he bet the under on his own team and his TD hit the over.

[OV Argo]

EE sign a trio of veteran Canadians: receiver H. Mayala & O-linemen Hunter Steward and (Argo) Shane Richards

[jerrym]

Elks take LB Joel Dublanko out of Cincinnati and the USFL as the first overall pick thereby picking the most likely pro-ready draft pick.

[jerrym]

LB DK Bonhomme from South Alabama is the Elks 10th overall pick likely to play DE in the Chris Jones defence.