Edmonton Eskimos head coach Jason Maas took an unconventional route as his team prepared for Thursday night’s game against the Montreal Alouettes at the Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.
In the third short week the Eskimos have had this season, Maas decided that mental preparation would trump more on-field practise. So, after a film-heavy lead-up that helped the players identify what was holding back their potential, the team held just one on-field workout.
“It was one of the best practices we’ve had all year,” said Maas. “We were focused.”
There’s no question Maas delivered a strong message behind closed doors and did not hesitate in revealing its tone.
“The focus is there and the time to put up or shut up is here,” said Maas. “I thought our guys responded well and I’m looking forward to Thursday night.”
Maas has never questioned his team’s effort. It’s just about coming up with that one play that can make the difference in what’s turned out to be a highly-competitive CFL season.
“They’re never going to give you less than 100% in whatever they do,” said Maas. “It’s execution right now and we have to do it at a higher level. We’re failing and that’s the bottom line. I know if we show up on Thursday night and don’t hurt ourselves, we’ll have a better chance of winning.”
Defensively, the unit put up its most intense show of the year last time out and helped out the cause with a J.C. Sherritt pick six.
Montreal’s lineup has its own story lines, ranging from veteran Nik Lewis, up-and-coming receiver Duron Carter, dynamic running back Brandon Rutley and quarterback Kevin Glenn.
“Montreal is a team you can never take too lightly,” said corner Pat Watkins. “They have the weapons and Kevin Glenn has been to the Cup three times. He’s been in the league so long he can recognize a lot of coverages. There’s a lot of things you have to mix up when you’re playing a veteran quarterback. We know we’re going to have our hands full.”
There were a few minor player tweaks and trades before the team hit the field with the goal of finding combinations that work.
“The faith is there but we need everybody to understand what we expect out the defence when the defence is called upon,” said Watkins. “The concept part is finally starting to come around and once the concept comes in, the confidence and the play starts taking effect instead of second-guessing yourself a lot.”
An offence led by quarterback Mike Reilly has demonstrated it has the horses to get to job done. Coming off a tough physical game made Reilly even more anxious to prove the Eskimos have one of the top offensive units in the league.
“I almost felt better today getting on the field, running around and getting loose,” said Reilly. “The game’s coming up quick, so we needed to get some work in today. It was probably one of the best practices we’ve had in a long time. The guys executed everything really well and hopefully that’ll show that we’re very well focused for this game.”
“I’m not happy with the results we’ve had, but I understand what our team is capable of,” said Reilly. “We haven’t played up to our abilities. As long as we learn from our mistakes and don’t make them later in the season and play our brand of football, we’ll be fine.
“I’m sick of losing, there’s no doubt about it all of us are. It’s one thing to be sick of losing, it’s another to learn from the mistakes that made you lose. It’s one thing if you’re not a good football team and that’s not the case here. We don’t have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to come out and play our best football.”