On any given game day, a desperate team with nothing to lose is one of the more dangerous opponents one could have. The Elk walk into Mosaic Stadium without a win, but with plenty of hype now that CDN QB Tre Ford is getting his first start in 2024. 

As it stands with Interim Head Coach, Jarious Jackson, the reality is that I’m a Chris Jones guy, as is everyone else in football ops and the locker from. I need to understand that the rest of the season is one looooong job interview. Same with the GM (Geroy Simon), the rest of the staff, and the players. #ItsAsmallLeague

All that to say…I’m willing to risk it all these days if I’m wearing green and gold. 

#DesperateTimesCallForDesperateMeasures

Knowing the mentality of the opponent, I figured we should look at what the mentally and maybe the messaging of Saskatchewans Head Coach (Corey Mace) may be…

First off, I’m telling my punt and kick off teams to continue doing what they do, because they’ve been consistent, but I’ve probably spent a considerable amount of time with (Special Teams Coord) Kent Maugeri in trying to figure out how to create space for Mario Alford in the Return Game. I’m also stressing the importance of keeping my ears open in any of the Elk kicking situations because if you hear language or a word you’re not used to hearing in previous plays or games, something may be up, and guys need to be able to react if Mike Scheper (Elk Special Teams Coord) dials something up. 

When it comes to the offence, I think my messaging to the unit is one of continuity…Keep winning the physical battle upfront, because we need the run game more than ever, and let’s make sure we’re extending drives which brings Marc Mueller into the fray.

#SometimesTheBestDefenceIsaGoodOffense

Finally. When it comes to the Elk offense, first and foremost, I would preach getting back to being focused up on our fundamentals when it comes to tackling the football. Last week in MTL there were a couple of opportunities to get off the field on 2nd down but missed tackles allowed Montreal to score, and also extend drives that wear down an opponent. 

#NoExtraOpportunities

Schematically, I’m drawing up something that gets Tre Ford thinking fast in order to play slow. For example, let’s show him a zero blitz on an early 2nd and 7yds+ play, and attack. Then, let’s show him the same look a couple plays later but drop into a Cover-Two zone.

There’s all sorts of ways you can keep a QB guessing, and the more one thinks, the less one gets to focus. If I’m Coach Mace, I’m throwing a variety of things at Tre Ford, because that mitigates Ford’s ability to lean on his athleticism and extend plays athletically.

#SeeingGhosts 

All in all, I get the hype around Tre Ford. It’s good to see folks excited about Edmonton in some way shape or form cause with another couple losses, the Elk logo on their helmet might feature blue tears. 

The bottom line is that you could have Michael Vick in his prime out there, and the Elk still have to play the other 2 phases of the game, which is defence, and special teams. I think the Riders are better units in both those phases.

But remember…there’s nothing easy out there. Gotta work for it all. On any given Saturday, even the mightiest of warrior can be felled if they’re too slow to pull their blade from its sheath.  

Tip your cups to the fellas going 1-0 this week!

-95, OUT.