Desperate Times in Edmonton

[WestCoastJoe]

Hard times for the sports fans in Edmonton, the self-proclaimed City of Champions

Here is a clip from the Edmonton Journal ... not only does Edmonton have a lousy football team, but they are realizing no hockey players want to play for the Oilers. LOL ... After all the arrogance of Edmonton and its sports fans over the years, this is most amusing.

Headline:

"Nobody wants to play here"

"Stigma now attached to Oilers, Edmonton has stained offer sheets"

Dan Barnes, The Edmonton Journal

"The Edmonton Oilers have been bleeding for a calendar year, ever since Chris Pronger stuck them with the jagged end of his mysterious departure, and general manager Kevin Lowe's desperate search for a tourniquet has come up woefully shy.

The stigma that attached itself to Edmonton and the Oilers post-Pronger produced a curious stain on Lowe's offer sheets and it's obvious that big-name free agents don't want to find out if any of the unflattering impressions about life here are actually true. But somebody has to play in Edmonton next season. And it makes you wonder what it's like to be an Oiler these days, watching as the general manager tries in vain to improve the lineup."

Awwww ... sadness, depression, and shock in the self-proclaimed City of Champions. That is too bad.

One of the Eskimo bloggers calls Macioccia Coach Chipmunk ... It is a mess over there. Jacques might have thought he was a mainstay of the Lions offensive success the last few years, but I would have to say it is more a case of Wally's system making him look good.

[cromartie]

I think we're two games into an 18 game season, and any grave dancing is likely a bit premature.

[Soundy]

"The Edmonton Oilers have been bleeding for a calendar year, ever since Chris Pronger stuck them with the jagged end of his mysterious departure, and general manager Kevin Lowe's desperate search for a tourniquet has come up woefully shy."

No doubt, rather than applying a tourniquet, losing Ryan Smyth was just slashing the other wrist...

One of the Eskimo bloggers calls Macioccia Coach Chipmunk ... It is a mess over there. Jacques might have thought he was a mainstay of the Lions offensive success the last few years, but I would have to say it is more a case of Wally's system making him look good.

Now now, don't be discounting Chaps like that.

Just a little random speculating... thinking out loud as it were... it's been oft wondered why Chaps would make a sideways move from the Grey Cup champs' OC to the bottom-feeder's OC... for the challenge? More money? Or maybe there are moves afoot to turf Danny Mac if things don't improve, and promote Jacques from within?

Hmmmmmmmmm.....

[Toppy Vann]

"The Edmonton Oilers have been bleeding for a calendar year, ever since Chris Pronger stuck them with the jagged end of his mysterious departure, and general manager Kevin Lowe's desperate search for a tourniquet has come up woefully shy."

No doubt, rather than applying a tourniquet, losing Ryan Smyth was just slashing the other wrist...

One of the Eskimo bloggers calls Macioccia Coach Chipmunk ... It is a mess over there. Jacques might have thought he was a mainstay of the Lions offensive success the last few years, but I would have to say it is more a case of Wally's system making him look good.

Now now, don't be discounting Chaps like that.

Just a little random speculating... thinking out loud as it were... it's been oft wondered why Chaps would make a sideways move from the Grey Cup champs' OC to the bottom-feeder's OC... for the challenge? More money? Or maybe there are moves afoot to turf Danny Mac if things don't improve, and promote Jacques from within?

Hmmmmmmmmm.....

I heard Dave Dickenson on the radio last week saying that he understood the move. Wally was the one guy who gave him his chance and it is not unusual for a guy to want to prove himself on his own and not be seen as being linked to one person forever - words to that effect.

JC looks to have a big ego and when someone approaches you with a job possibility it is a heady thing for many and I am sure JC. It also gave him a chance to broaden his resume and be seen as his own guy, not Wally's guy. He no doubt figures that if Wally quit coaching he might not get the HC job from him so he'd be better off to ply his trade elsewhere where he could also be with his son at university there.

I think from observing JC he has more maturing to do. I don't think he exudes what I'd want in a head coach for my team. I could be wrong but his hubris could be a huge factor that gets in the way of success. I could be way off base on that comment. It is just looking at the guy's demeanor with his players. I have never felt that he interacts effectively on the sidelines with his team. When angry which can be effective for a coach, he doesn't come across during the game to me in the stands as using controlled anger effectively. As a HC, a team could tire quite quickly with tirades from the coach. He exudes the leadership style of 'leave 'em alone' and then bang, 'get 'em'. Not effective for long-term success in coaching.

[WestCoastJoe]

[/quote]

Or maybe there are moves afoot to turf Danny Mac if things don't improve, and promote Jacques from within [/quote]

Yes, Macioccia and Jacques have certainly talked publicly about an eventual transition. But that has to be a bit weird. D Mac looking over his shoulder at his supposed successor.

Personally I do not think D Mac has what it takes to be successful as a CFL coach on his own merits. I would credit the organization and Ricky Ray for the Cup they won with D Mac as head coach.

It is strange though, that the Esks would solidify D Mac's postion after the debacle of last year, first year out of the playoffs in 35 years. And having made his position more secure, they then bring in Jacques to take over in the future. It is both a vote of confidence in D Mac and a vote of non-confidence.

I like Jacques as a person and think he is adequate as a CFL coach, and even better as a college coach. But he has always seemed predictable as a CFL O Coordinator.

In any case, it looks like a big mess they have on their hands in Edmonton.

[David]

In any case, it looks like a big mess they have on their hands in Edmonton.

Where am I missing the part that there are widespread problems in Edmonton? They have one point after two games. They got shut down by one of the top 2 defences in the league and even then, were moving the ball effectively in the first half. Had a couple of breaks gone their way and they'd taken a lead, who knows what the outcome might have been Friday?

IMO, the have one of the best QBs in the league, a promising running back, an improved O-line, a solid receiving corps, and a young, athletic defence that will gel in time.

Way too early to write off the Edmonton Eskimos.

DH 8)

[PigSkin_53]

I think Kevin Low's overt attempt to rape the already decimated Buffalo Sabers team was a classless and foolish gambit, on his part and has all the earmarks of his seminal and immanent demise in Edmonton.

Put a Fork in him!

[Rammer]

Or maybe there are moves afoot to turf Danny Mac if things don't improve, and promote Jacques from within [/quote]

Yes, Macioccia and Jacques have certainly talked publicly about an eventual transition. But that has to be a bit weird. D Mac looking over his shoulder at his supposed successor.

Personally I do not think D Mac has what it takes to be successful as a CFL coach on his own merits. I would credit the organization and Ricky Ray for the Cup they won with D Mac as head coach.

It is strange though, that the Esks would solidify D Mac's postion after the debacle of last year, first year out of the playoffs in 35 years. And having made his position more secure, they then bring in Jacques to take over in the future. It is both a vote of confidence in D Mac and a vote of non-confidence.

I like Jacques as a person and think he is adequate as a CFL coach, and even better as a college coach. But he has always seemed predictable as a CFL O Coordinator.

In any case, it looks like a big mess they have on their hands in Edmonton.[/quote]

It is a precarious situation for Chapdelaine, the Esks have to do well enough for Maciocia to retain his job as GM, or risk that the new GM may select him or someone else. Meanwhile his offence is going to encounter a few difficult teams, in Toronto, BC and Sasktachewans, who will be able to shutdown what we have seen so far. If he has success against the remaining teams, he may have shown just enough to be taken seriously as the HC candidate that he views himself as.

[lion24]

I think we're two games into an 18 game season, and any grave dancing is likely a bit premature.

Having lived in Edmonton for a good portion of my life, including the dynasty years of the Oilers and Eskimos it is always about panicking when they are not doing well whether it be early or late in the season. It is not the thought of all fans here but the general thinking here is a "god given right" to win or either be close to winning Grey Cips and Stanley Cups The worst thing was the Cinderella run to the Cup by the Oilers because then nothing but winning the Cup would be acceptable and the Oilers then missed the playoffs. It will be a real wake up call again with the fans as they cannot attract free agents for the Oilers and the Esks are not the dominant team of the 80's or even of the past 5-6 years. The fact of the matter is we will see how good the fans are in the next few years if the Oilers and Esks struggle and see if any humility will be exercised. Frankly, I don't think many fans in other CFL or NHL cities feel to sorry for Edmonton fans who witnessed 5 Grey Cups(1977-82) in a row and 5 Stanley Cups in a short period(1984,1985,1987,1988,1990).
Do you?? Remember, this is the self proclaimed City of Champions except the Cracker Cats(baseball),Rush(lacrosse), Oilers, Eskimos all missed the playoffs last year

[Soundy]

I think we're two games into an 18 game season, and any grave dancing is likely a bit premature.

Having lived in Edmonton for a good portion of my life, including the dynasty years of the Oilers and Eskimos it is always about panicking when they are not doing well whether it be early or late in the season.

Yes, that's completely different from how it is in Vancouver! Canucks could win 20 straight, but then lose one hard-fought game by a single point, and just watch the power brownout caused by a couple hundred thousand panic buttons being pressed all at once... :lol:

Where am I missing the part that there are widespread problems in Edmonton? (etc. etc.) Way too early to write off the Edmonton Eskimos.

Hey fanboy... time to update your links, this ain't eskiebackers.com!

[Solar Max]

I believe that the "City of Champions" monicker actually refers to the victims of a tornado that passed through the outskirts of the City in 1987. I could be wrong, of course.

[lion24]

I believe that the "City of Champions" monicker actually refers to the victims of a tornado that passed through the outskirts of the City in 1987. I could be wrong, of course.

Not that I have ever heard of??

[WestCoastJoe]

Having lived in Edmonton for a good portion of my life, including the dynasty years of the Oilers and Eskimos it is always about panicking when they are not doing well whether it be early or late in the season. It is not the thought of all fans here but the general thinking here is a "god given right" to win or either be close to winning Grey Cips and Stanley Cups playoffs last year ...

Edmonton was blessed for those years with the Oilers and Eskimos.

I remember the Lions playing the Esks and on the first play of the game everybody knew what was coming: Warren Moon would throw a long bomb to Brian Kelly down the left sideline. And the rout was on. Gawd, was that annoying.

And with the Oilers, the Canucks would play their brains out, the Oilers of Gretzky and Messier would fool around for 55 minutes, play for the last 5 minutes only and win the game ... with Glen Sather laughing on the bench.

Well, like someone said, what goes around comes around. Hard times for Edmonton, good times for Vancouver.

Oh yeah, and I remember seeing a Welcome to Edmonton, City of Champions sign. Do they still feature that sign?

[Hambone]

I think Kevin Low's overt attempt to rape the already decimated Buffalo Sabers team was a classless and foolish gambit, on his part and has all the earmarks of his seminal and immanent demise in Edmonton.

Put a Fork in him!

I don't think it was anywhere in Lowe's offseason plans to go after a restricted Group II FA live Vanek. He was blindsided by Nylander's about-face after agreeing in principle to a deal to go to Edmonton. In the free-agency frenzy teams will target a priority list of free-agents they want. The Oilers have a lot of cap space so they could go after some bigger contracts. Nylander screwed Lowe royally. As we all know from watching FA's get signed quickly in that first 24 hours. For several hours Lowe thought he had Nylander wrapped up. Then Nylander changed his mind. Had Nylander turned Lowe down then he could've switched gears to go after others he had on his priority list. By the time Nylander advised he'd had a change of heart many of the other unrestricted FAs Lowe would have gone after had been gobbled up leaving Lowe was holding a bag of cash, oodles of cap room and nobody worth pursuing in terms of unrestricted FAs. So he turned to Grp II restricted FAs. Going after Vanek was a tactical mistake. With the Sabres having already lost Briere and Drury you knew they would match whatever was tossed Vanek's way. Lowe should be going after players on teams already up against the cap to force GMs to make a tough decision as the Flyers forced on the Canucks re: Kesler.

[Hambone]

Now now, don't be discounting Chaps like that.

Just a little random speculating... thinking out loud as it were... it's been oft wondered why Chaps would make a sideways move from the Grey Cup champs' OC to the bottom-feeder's OC... for the challenge? More money? Or maybe there are moves afoot to turf Danny Mac if things don't improve, and promote Jacques from within?

Hmmmmmmmmm.....

Over-speculating perhaps Soundy. Maciocia is THE man in charge in Edmonton now. He is the Director of Football Operations and Head Coach. The only guys above Maciocia in the Eskimo organization are their group of directors. Maciocia is the senior football executive. If there were any doubts in the hierarchy's mind re: Maciocia why would they have promoted him this off season to DFO? I think in taking the additional responsibilities D-Mac knew he had to start thinking succession planning for HC. I think Maciocia went after JC to be their OC as well as with the thought of moving into the HC job when Maciocia feels it's time to dedicate himself 100% to the front office position. Also Chapdelaine had an out clause in his BC contract where he could move if it involved a promotion. JC's move was both sideways and up. He went from being BC's OC to being Edmonton's OC and Associate Head Coach. I'm sure more money came with the additional responsibilities.