Kerry Joseph as starter for the Eskimos? LOL

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/back-in-the-s ... t-for-esks

Back in the saddle: Could Joseph start for Esks?

Posted: April 20, 2012 11:00 AM

Chris O'Leary Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON -- With all eyes on the starting quarterback job for the Edmonton Eskimos, head coach Kavis Reed said on Thursday that he could see 38-year-old Kerry Joseph as the starter this season.

“If Kerry does the things he needs to do and clearly is the person we feel can lead this team to a championship run, he could be that guy,” Reed said after the team’s morning workout at Commonwealth Stadium Fieldhouse. “That’s not lip service when we say we want him to push it and we want it to be a keen competition.”

Joseph is one of five quarterbacks the team has under contract. He’s been working out alongside Steven Jyles, Matt Nichols, Eric Ward and Jeremiah Masoli since the camp got underway on Wednesday. Reed said Joseph’s leadership and experience make him more than a qualified candidate for the job.

“First of all, he’s won a championship and his leadership skills are really, really enviable,” Reed said. “He’s a very good student of the game. He understands all of the concepts of the game, he’s been in the system for eight years, dating back to his days in Ottawa. He has a lot of the intangibles that could help him in this situation.”

Despite seeing limited time in games last season, Reed was very big on Joseph’s impact on the team in 2011.

“This is not to serve the moment, but there were times when I considered him our team’s MVP,” he said. “The things he did with the younger quarterbacks, the role he played with our football team in the locker-room and the classroom and the playing field … Kerry is a guy that has a lot of leadership qualities that go with the position of quarterback.”

[WestCoastJoe]

This sounds like smoke and mirrors to me. Directed by Eric Tillman, justifying the giveaway of Ricky Ray. And moving away from total dependance on Steven Jyles as starting QB. LOL

“If Kerry does the things he needs to do and clearly is the person we feel can lead this team to a championship run, he could be that guy,” Reed said after the team’s morning workout at Commonwealth Stadium Fieldhouse. “That’s not lip service when we say we want him to push it and we want it to be a keen competition.”

So Jyles is not a lock as starter ... LOL I can't help but look at the trade of Ricky Ray as some kind of egotistical decision by Tillman, one not based on logic. And now the reality is setting in. No Ricky Ray at QB for the Eskimos. Uh oh ... Is Jyles the guy? Ummmmmm ... Uh oh ... Better pump up Kerry Joseph's tires, before the fans hang me in effigy.

“First of all, he’s won a championship and his leadership skills are really, really enviable,” Reed said. “He’s a very good student of the game. He understands all of the concepts of the game, he’s been in the system for eight years, dating back to his days in Ottawa. He has a lot of the intangibles that could help him in this situation.”

So he won a championship ... We don't need to be reminded of that. Leadership. OK, but big deal. Student of the game. LOL Understands the concepts ... My God. Keep on pumping, Eric and Kavis.

“This is not to serve the moment, but there were times when I considered him our team’s MVP,” he said. “The things he did with the younger quarterbacks, the role he played with our football team in the locker-room and the classroom and the playing field … Kerry is a guy that has a lot of leadership qualities that go with the position of quarterback.”

Well, actually, it is to serve the moment. It is odd to have to pump up a backup quarterback as being capable of being a starter. Lack of confidence in Jyles? Covering up the bad trade of Ricky Ray?

Joseph as the team's MVP last year? LOL "things he did with the younger quarterbacks" "the role he played in the locker-room and the classroom and the playing field" "leadership qualities" These sound like shots at the guy Tillman traded, Ricky Ray.

It seems like Tilllman is planting the idea that Joseph could be the starter this year. Not a glowing endorsement of Steven Jyles. And it makes the trade of Ricky Ray just look more and more strange.

Whatever, the attention (spin) to Kerry Joseph is odd. IMO ...

[Hambone]

I think Eskimo fans are finding out what it was like to be an Ottawa Rough Rider fan from around 1981 until they folded.........and they're not liking it one bit.

[Sir Purrcival]

Joseph doesn't have any accuracy with the pass. He overthrows or underthrows all the time. He is marginally competent when he uses his legs to compensate. I'm still not convinced that there wasn't more going on in this trade than meets the eye. It seem mighty convenient that one of the leagues better QB's ends up on the team hosting the Grey Cup centenary game. If the Esks falter this year, then Tillspin is done.

[Hambone]

I'm still not convinced that there wasn't more going on in this trade than meets the eye. It seem mighty convenient that one of the leagues better QB's ends up on the team hosting the Grey Cup centenary game. If the Esks falter this year, then Tillspin is done.

I don't buy the conspiracy theory for one second. If there was anything to the thought the league might meddle like that then the CFL has not one ounce of credibility and would deserve nothing less than every fan walking away forever.

[Toppy Vann]

I'm still not convinced that there wasn't more going on in this trade than meets the eye. It seem mighty convenient that one of the leagues better QB's ends up on the team hosting the Grey Cup centenary game. If the Esks falter this year, then Tillspin is done.

I don't buy the conspiracy theory for one second. If there was anything to the thought the league might meddle like that then the CFL has not one ounce of credibility and would deserve nothing less than every fan walking away forever.

If there was any conspiracy it would not involve the Esks and the Argos. that would defy common sense.

When you consider what David Braley has done for the entire CFL even for a second thinking that there'd be any nudge nudge wink wink deals involving his two teams - Lions and Argos - is unthinkable given that the Argos GM/HC chose to stick with Cleo when BC had an abundance of riches at the QB spot and Barker had just after the Braley buy took a pass on his now Argo Jarius Jackson as a guy who hadn't played much - forgetting 2007 in a weird way.

I had to laugh at the story the other day that the Argos haven't got an OC and the new HC thinks it is just a title and to give it out is meaningless as he's calling the plays anyway. He 's going to do what Trestman did to him. For me, I prefer the HC to be in an overview position and looking at the big picture not one side or the other in depth in play calling. It smacks a lot of ego or the HC unlike Wally when he was HC couldn't hire a decent play caller.

This Kerry J MVP and starter stuff is regenerating the statements of the Esks from last year where both ET and Kavis Reed said these things. I always think 'he is great in the room' kind of statements are laughable but I understand the value of a good team leader which is what they mean. Joseph is a good player and it is possible that he could find his game and top form again in a more stable situation and that he could play as good as he did in his MOP year. Possible, but was it worth a gamble to get Jyles? Not what I think is a wise move. Tillman though has been at the top of his game but we shall see with this move if it is going to put the Esks in a hole.

I thought the Hargreaves move this week was a good one. Not sure why the Bombers didn't want him as an NI who did a good job I thought.

Some weird moves in this off season for sure. None by the Lions.

[TheLionKing]

Joseph doesn't have any accuracy with the pass. He overthrows or underthrows all the time.

Sounds like an ex-Lion quarterback

[B.C.FAN]

Kerry Joseph was released by the Argos after a 3-15 season in 2009 and hasn't started a game since. Now the Argos have Ricky Ray and the Esks think Joseph can replace him as starter in Edmonton? I think Kavis Reed has been dipping into Eric Tillman's medicine cabinet.

[TheLionKing]

Joseph doesn't have any accuracy with the pass. He overthrows or underthrows all the time.

Sounds like an ex-Lion quarterback

[cromartie]

Never attribute to conspiracy that which instead can be more simply explained by either stupidity or hubris.

That said, as a Lions fan, I don't see what the problem is here.

Also, the Eskimos receiving corps is going to be very, very good. You sleep on Greg Carr at your own risk and I am mystified that the Blue Bummers couldn't find 5k more to keep him. It's to our benefit that there's no one on their roster good enough to hit those guys consistently.

Sounds like an ex-Lion quarterback

Since Joseph can get a play off in under 25 seconds, the comparison isn't quite apt.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/ ... 60706.html

Jyles, Joseph top two going into Esks camp
By Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun

The Eskimos had five quarterbacks at mini-camp this year, but could pare that number down to four by the time the season starts. (David Bloom, Edmonton Sun)

So much for the sneak preview. Now it’s hurry up and wait for Edmonton Eskimos training camp on June 3.

With a three-day mini camp in the books, coaches now have exactly six weeks to prepare for the process of selecting their 2012 squad.

While all eyes will be on who wins the competition to replace Ricky Ray as starting quarterback, head coach Kavis Reed said that process has already begun.

Steven Jyles, Kerry Joseph, Matt Nichols, Eric Ward and Jeremiah Masoli were being ranked under heavy scrutiny as part of 16 Eskimos involved in the offence-only mini-camp that took pace in the Commonwealth Stadium fieldhouse.

“We want to have the depth chart going into training camp so we can fairly distribute the reps,” Reed said. “We have a football game to play against Toronto at the beginning of the year and we want to make certain that the first guy gets enough reps to give us the confidence that he’s ready to play.

“This is going to be a part of it.”

At the very least, the past three days gave the quarterbacks a chance to shake off some off-season rust.

“Obviously this is the first time that they have really thrown in about six months, so we have to take that into consideration,” Reed said. “But it’s still an indication as to whether or not we were correct in terms of our initial depth chart.”

One that slated Jyles in the top spot ever since the surprising trade that sent Ray to the Toronto Argonauts in December.

“We can make an educated decision that Steven continues to be the guy who will be on the top of the depth chart. Kerry is not very far behind, if not as a 1A-1B kind of situation,” Reed said. “Matt Nichols has really done wonderful things in this mini-camp and that has really established him as a guy who we’re going to have to strongly consider as a part of the race for the No. 2 and 3 spot.

“Eric didn’t come in with the pop that we expected, but he has done some things that say, mentally, he’s still sharp.”

Then there is Masoli, a one-time potential Heisman trophy candidate who got his first look at the CFL this week and remains a prospect, at best, for the Eskimos.

“Jeremiah, we know, is not going to be a part of the equation for this year unless he absolutely wows us in the preseason,” Reed said, who expects to carry four QBs like last season — that is, if you count Nichols, who was held off the 46-man active roster the entire year due to an undisclosed injury. “We saw the potential in him and felt that it was worth keeping around.

“If the guys look good enough, we’ll see if we can have the roster room for five.”

[WestCoastJoe]

“We want to have the depth chart going into training camp so we can fairly distribute the reps,” Reed said. “We have a football game to play against Toronto at the beginning of the year and we want to make certain that the first guy gets enough reps to give us the confidence that he’s ready to play.

“This is going to be a part of it.”

Not sure of the depth chart? LOL

“Obviously this is the first time that they have really thrown in about six months, so we have to take that into consideration,” Reed said. “But it’s still an indication as to whether or not we were correct in terms of our initial depth chart.”

One that slated Jyles in the top spot ever since the surprising trade that sent Ray to the Toronto Argonauts in December.

“We can make an educated decision that Steven continues to be the guy who will be on the top of the depth chart. Kerry is not very far behind, if not as a 1A-1B kind of situation,” Reed said. “Matt Nichols has really done wonderful things in this mini-camp and that has really established him as a guy who we’re going to have to strongly consider as a part of the race for the No. 2 and 3 spot.

"correct in terms of our initial depth chart" LOL. Sounds like a lot of uncertainty there.

"educated decision" re Jyles ... In the back of their minds, Tillman and Reed must be having grave doubts about getting rid of Hall of Fame bound Ricky Ray.

“Eric didn’t come in with the pop that we expected, but he has done some things that say, mentally, he’s still sharp.”

Then there is Masoli, a one-time potential Heisman trophy candidate who got his first look at the CFL this week and remains a prospect, at best, for the Eskimos.

“Jeremiah, we know, is not going to be a part of the equation for this year unless he absolutely wows us in the preseason,” Reed said, who expects to carry four QBs like last season — that is, if you count Nichols, who was held off the 46-man active roster the entire year due to an undisclosed injury. “We saw the potential in him and felt that it was worth keeping around.

“If the guys look good enough, we’ll see if we can have the roster room for five.”

To me this sounds like a very mediocre, uncertain quarterback group, in a quarterback driven league.
..........

One that slated Jyles in the top spot ever since the surprising trade that sent Ray to the Toronto Argonauts in December.

"surprising" trade

Surprising? Shocking? Stupid? Ego driven? Who was the face of the Eskimos? Who wants to be the face of the Eskimos? Did Ricky Ray tick Tillman off somehow? One of the most bizarre trades in any sport, at any time, that I have ever heard about.

If you don't like Ricky Ray, groom a successor (didn't happen). Bench him (didn't happen). But if you trade him, you better get one or two proven stars plus two first round picks for him (didn't happen), and you better have a guy standing on the sideline who can give you 90% of what he gave you for years, consistently.

You just traded away the face of the franchise, a two time Grey Cup winner, a Hall of Fame quarterback, a guaranteed passing game (4000+ passing yards) and offence, a coach on the field, and a guy who is virtually irreplaceable. D'oh ...
.........

Is Jim Barker laughing? LOL Yeah. He has not stopped laughing since the deal was finalized. A swindle, except you cannot legislate against stupidity. This swindle is legal.

Barker acquired one of the two or three most valuable commodities in the league, still young enough, and he gave up next to nothing to do it.

But Eskimo fans should sue Tillman for incompetent representation of their franchise, satisfying some strange personal agenda of his own.

[WestCoastJoe]

So Toronto is building an offence and a team around Ricky Ray's rare, unique talents.

And Reed and Tillman are trying to figure who is their starting quarterback, Jyles or Joseph. Trying to figure out their depth chart. LOL Mediocre Jyles or mediocre Joseph? Door number one or door number two?

Mini camp will not answer if Jyles can be the guy. Real games will. And in real games thus far, he is mediocre. Joseph is also mediocre, at this time. Depth chart? The guy they will want is not on their roster yet IMO.

I am no Eskimo fan, but I feel for the franchise. This is Tillman's signature move, and IMO, it don't look good.

[Sir Purrcival]

Well I'm not usually the 2nd gunman on the grassy knoll type but it isn't like the Eskimo's haven't been involved in sketchy trades before. As for David Brailey, what makes anyone think that his involvement would be necessary here? We're talking Tillman and Barker primarily, Not sure I give either of those two the same level of moral comportment that I might give Brailey. It may well be simple stupidity as Cromartie suggests. Wherever the truth lies, Tillman's job is going to likely hang in the balance. If the Esks take a significan't step back this year, then Tillman is likely pounding the pavement.