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With another CFL season in the books for the Edmonton Eskimos, Sun Media's Gerry Moddejonge broke down the team into its individual components in an attempt to grade the season of each player who contributed significantly on offence, defence and special teams. Game performances and statistics were a major factor in the final marks, but some intangibles always come into play. In the end, you win and lose as a team, but every team is made up of individuals. Take it for what it's worth.
DANNY MACIOCIA, GENERAL MANAGER
GRADE: B-
Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was the Eskimos Empire under its new rule. In his first season since moving from head coach to GM, Maciocia brought a massive overhaul to the roster not only in the preseason but throughout the year. Although his team didn't finish with as good a record as last year's 10-8 Eskimos, they placed higher in the standings at 9-9 to make the West Division playoffs for the first time since 2005. He was able to sign a good mix of young talent and veteran experience that will benefit the team in the future.
RICHIE HALL, HEAD COACH
GRADE: B
Kept an even keel as he steered the ship in his rookie season as a CFL head coach since coming over from the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he spent the last eight seasons as defensive co-ordinator. Hall might not make the right decision every time, but credit is due for the stubborn support he shows in sticking with a plan.
NOEL THORPE, ASSISTANT HEAD COACH
GRADE: A-
Besides helping Hall run a tight ship, Thorpe demanded from his players an attention to detail on special-teams duties. Kicking, returning and coverage combined, special teams was the most consistent of the three facets of the football team.
KEVIN STRASSER<, OFFENSIVE CO-ORDINATOR
GRADE: C
After taking over for Worman, the Eskimos offence struggled under the new system put in place by Strasser. The Eskimos went 4-5 in the aftermath, but finished off the regular season with a pass-run ratio that contributed to a pair of victories to reach the playoffs. Strasser's real test will come next season when he has the advantage of going through training camp and the preseason with the team.
JIM DALEY, DEFENSIVE CO-ORDINATOR/D-LINE
GRADE: B-
Perhaps the league's top defensive strategist, the combination of Daley and Richie Hall brought expectations of improvements to a defence that was a weak link the previous three years. The Eskimos ended up second in run stopping but tied for second last when it came to points allowed. Veteran experience added to the secondary in the latter half of the season saw an improvement.
CALVIN ARMSTRONG, OFFENSIVE TACKLE
GRADE: A
At six-foot-seven, 320 pounds, the biggest Eskimo had his biggest year and will no doubt weigh his options on a possible NFL future as he gets set to enter his option year with the Eskimos in 2010. Armstrong was a CFL West Division all-star.
CHRIS CIEZKI, FULLBACK
GRADE: B+
Led the Eskimos in special teams tackles with 21 to finish in the top-10 in the league.
JOHN COMISKEY, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
GRADE: C
A preseason knee injury forced the starting centre to give up his position. He never got an opportunity this season, which didn't see any significant injuries to any of the starting five o-liners. That feat is unlikely to happen again, so it would be wise to keep him.
KAI ELLIS, DEFENSIVE END
GRADE: A-
The most consistent defender along the line of scrimmage, Ellis finished tied for the team lead in tackles, with 62, and sacks, with six. Starting all 18 games this season, the Eskimos would be wise to sign him again in 2010.
SCOTT GORDON, SAFETY
GRADE: C
Missed half the season with a knee injury, but he's one of the league's best at the position.
JASON GOSS, CORNERBACK
GRADE: B
Bounced around in the secondary, but was the only piece of the puzzle to play all 18 games back there.
SKYLER GREEN, KICK RETURNER
GRADE: B
A late-season addition, Green ran back a kickoff for a touchdown in the playoffs. He might give Tristan Jackson a run for his money in training camp.
JEROME HAYWOOD, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
GRADE: C
Fit in nicely after Dario Romero was lost to injury, but he isn't a long-term answer to the Eskimos' needs.
T.J. HILL, LINEBACKER
GRADE: A-
Led the Eskimos with four interceptions and ran a pair of them back for touchdowns. A surprise cut by the Montreal Alouettes in training camp, Hill became a staple on the Eskimos defence since joining the team in Week 4. Although his strength is on pass coverage, he ended up tied for the team lead with 62 defensive tackles.
TRISTAN JACKSON, KICK RETURNER
GRADE: B
A nagging knee injury slowed his season to a crawl, but a healthy Jackson returned a punt for a touchdown in Week 4 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The defensive back finished seventh in the CFL in combined yards despite missing three games.
XZAVIE JACKSON, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
GRADE: D
Does not play well with others. Best known for the infamous shovel-swinging incident following an altercation with teammate Aaron Fiacconi during a practice, Jackson is lucky not to have dug a grave for his young CFL season with it.
MAURICE LLOYD, LINEBACKER
GRADE: D
The top defensive acquisition for the Eskimos in the off-season, Lloyd showed a fierceness in his personality and approach to the game that he wasn't able to match through inconsistency in his play. The team might be better off relieving some significant salary-cap pressure by parting ways if a suitable replacement can be found in the off-season.
JESSE LUMSDEN, RUNNING BACK
GRADE: F
The Lumsden experiment was a complete failure. For all the excitement and promise that came along with the off-season acquisition of the Edmonton-born athlete, his season didn't even last one quarter after suffering yet another shoulder injury. He has yet to last more than 10 games in a season and will be lucky to find himself in a CFL jersey next year.
JASON MAAS, QUARTERBACK
GRADE: B
Not once was the proven and experienced backup called upon in a game situation where he could make the difference, despite proving his value the last time the Eskimos made the West Division playoffs in the 2005 Grey Cup run. Still, there's no overlooking the leadership and focus he displays at practice and in the locker-room.
MAURICE MANN, WIDE RECEIVER
GRADE: B-
Finished second on the team with 917 yards on 73 receptions for six touchdowns and was on pace to crest 1,000 when an ankle injury forced him to miss the last two games of the season. Although his season started strong, his performance tapered off in the latter part of the year.
CALVIN MCCARTY, RUNNING BACK
GRADE: B
There's not a better all-around back on the team who can catch, rush and play special teams as well as McCarty. A hamstring injury hampered what was shaping up to be a banner year for the non-import, before he missed a total of seven games.
JASON NUGENT, SAFETY
GRADE: B
Finished second on the team with 20 special teams tackles.
OFFENSIVE LINE: CALVIN ARMSTRONG, AARON FIACCONI, PATRICK KABONGO, KYLE KOCH, JOE MCGRATH
GRADE: A-
It's hard to talk about each of these guys individually at a position where everybody must work as one to have any success. Although it had its ups and downs, the unit came on strong at the end of the year and could continue its streak of playing 18 games in a row together if Kabongo re-signs with the Eskimos in 2010.
BYRON PARKER, CORNERBACK
GRADE: B+
Brought an attitude to a secondary that didn't have an identity. More often than not his play backed up his personality. Not one to back down from a fight, Parker will admit when he's made a mistake, but he'll also forget about it and move onto the next play.
GREG PEACH, DEFENSIVE END
GRADE: B-
Spent his rookie CFL season starting on the defensive line where he tied for the team lead with six sacks. Although he's come into his own, he has yet to reach his potential.
KAMAU PETERSON, SLOTBACK
GRADE: C
Saw his productivity drop off after a 2008 season where he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian. Although he still ended up third among Eskimos receivers with 788 yards on 63 catches and a single touchdown, this season didn't live up to expectations for the nine-year veteran. Perhaps where he excelled most was providing leadership to a young receiving corps.
NOEL PREFONTAINE, KICKER
GRADE: C+
Satisfactory. Ended up in the middle of the pack this year. Not stellar but consistent.
RICKY RAY, QUARTERBACK
GRADE: C
Although it was a better-than-average season stats-wise for the seventh-year pivot, he had as many bad outings as good ones in 2009. The highlight was completing 20 consecutive passes to come back from a 22-0 deficit to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 4. But overall, his performance was inconsistent at best. Much of it could have to do with a change in offensive co-ordinators at the midway mark.
JAMAICA RECTOR, SLOTBACK
GRADE: D
Looked good coming into the season, but looks can be deceiving. Too many fumbles and ill-timed dropped passes saw Rector lose his starting job after 14 straight weeks.
MARK RESTELLI, LINEBACKER
GRADE: B+
Made all but one start in his inaugural CFL season where he contributed on both defence and special teams in a very un-rookie-like manner. He always demands the most from himself.
ELLIOTT RICHARDSON, SAFETY
GRADE: B
Saw plenty of playing time in the first half of his rookie season in place of the injured Scott Gordon. The experience could prove valuable for both him and the Eskimos.
DARIO ROMERO, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
GRADE: B+
Commanding league-wide respect, the former NFLer was named a West Division all-star despite a premature end to his season due to a torn biceps that forced him to miss the last six games. He remained on the sidelines to provide leadership and ended up tied for the team lead with six sacks.
FRED STAMPS, SLOTBACK
GRADE: A+
The Eskimos' sole CFL all-star selection led the league with 85 catches for 1,402 yards to go along with eight touchdowns in his third year with the Eskimos. Having had his contract extended in January by two years plus an option means the Eskimos aren't worried about losing their top receiver to the NFL next season.
TIM ST. PIERRE, LINEBACKER
GRADE: C+
Showed proficiency on special teams and on defence.
LENNY WILLIAMS, DEFENSIVE BACK
GRADE: C
A knee injury ended his season with one-third left to go. He'll be fighting for his job back come training camp.
ARKEE WHITLOCK, RUNNING BACK
GRADE: B+
It's not how you start, it's how you finish. The most-improved Eskimo, Whitlock finished third in the league with 1,293 yards on 211 carries for an impressive 6.1-yard average and 12 rushing touchdowns. Nominated as the team's Most Outstanding Rookie, Whitlock began the season as the third-string running back. After a less-than-stellar CFL debut in a 50-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in Week 2, Whitlock showed steady improvement throughout the season.
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THESE ROLE PLAYERS ARE WORTH A SECOND LOOK IN 2010
JASON BARNES, SLOTBACK
GRADE: C
MATHIEU BERTRAND, FULLBACK
GRADE: C
GRAEME BELL, FULLBACK
GRADE: C
KEVIN CHALLENGER, WIDE RECEIVER
GRADE: C
RANDEE DREW, DEFENSIVE BACK
GRADE: C
EFREM HILL, WIDE RECEIVER
GRADE: C
DEE STERLING, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
GRADE: C
ERIC TAYLOR, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
GRADE: C
BUT NOT THEM
KELLY MALVEAUX, DEFENSIVE HALFBACK
GRADE: C
ANDREW NOWACKI, WIDE RECEIVER
GRADE: C Tell us what you think of the Eskimos. Give your X's and checks for each team member. Mail: C/O You be the Boss #250, 4990-92 Ave., Edmonton, T6B 3A1 - E-mail: edm-sports@edmsun.com