Esks set their limits
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, QMI Agency
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EDMONTON - Eighteen is the magic number for the Edmonton Eskimos this year.
Not only is it how many regular-season chances they have to put up enough wins to make playoffs, but it's also the over-under on points the defence can allow and the offence needs to surpass in each of those games.
"If we hold them to 18, we have to score 19," said head coach Kavis Reed. "We're not going to put it all on the offence. The defence has to be responsible for scoring, special teams has to be responsible for scoring, as well as offence."
Of course, 19 points won't be necessary if Rich Stubler's defence doesn't allow any points by the opposition.
"That's Rich's trademark, he's notorious for holding offences to low scores," Reed said. "I hope that remains the case in 2011."
Camp notes
Day 9
Who's hot
After spending Saturday's Green and Gold scrimmage on the sidelines and taking the weekend off from passing, QB Ricky Ray came out fresh and threw like he couldn't miss on Monday.
Who's not
"I was not happy with the effort of the offensive line. They did not practise with the intensity that I expected them to practise with," said head coach Kavis Reed, who used other, louder words when explaining it to his team.
Big play
LB Corbin Sharun showed good coverage ability closing on a Marc Mueller pass to get a hand in on WR Jonathan Holland.
Big move
DE Julius Williams would have worn QB Eric Ware as a hood ornament after peeling off the blind side like the offensive line was blind.
Big legs
K Damon Duval and K Derek Schiavone swapped a pair of 42-yard field goals each.
In and out
FB Mathieu Bertrand (shoulder) returned to the practice field along with WR Ray Fisher (shoulder), C Aaron Fiacconi (concussion symptoms) and WR Taye Biddle (migranes). WR Brad Smith and SB Chris Bauman (back) sat out alongside C Gord Hinse (broken thumb) and FB Samuel Fournier. OL Adam Rogers left partway through the afternoon session.
Next up
The Eskimos are back at Clarke Park for another two-a-day session, from 7:50 a.m. to 10:15 am. and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
