Esks coach clears Messam
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, QMI Agency
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EDMONTON - Jerome Messam has nothing to apologize for to his team.
The Edmonton Eskimos running back has been cleared by head coach Kavis Reed of any wrongdoing for being disqualified in Friday’s game in Vancouver.
After carrying the ball into the end zone on a two-point conversion, Messam took a late hit from B.C. Lions cornerback Dante Marsh before being swarmed by a handful of his former teammates.
“That play was just high emotions at a critical time in the game. I kind of let my emotions get the best of me,” said the six-foot-three, 245-pounder who was suspended by Lions head coach Wally Buono before being traded to Edmonton in the preseason. “Honestly, I was just angry at the fact that I am a former teammate, and for them to come at me like that it just felt like it was — I don’t know. You’ve just got to question things.”
Messam was tossed for hitting Tad Kornegay in the helmet with a left jab before being pulled to the turf in a scrum.
“In this particular case, he didn’t instigate it,” Reed said. “I think once the league looks at it, they’ll make their analysis of what the film bears out. I’m going to support Jerome on this one completely.”
Messam’s night ended early, but not before he got 70 yards on 12 carries.
“Throughout the game, I felt like I was more getting under their skin,” he said. “I was running the ball well, they didn’t have an answer.”
And neither does Messam when it comes to his difficulties with the Lions.
“Um, I don’t want to touch that issue,” he said. “I’ve never had problems like this from high school on to the pros, I’ve never been kicked out of a game.”
IN AND OUT: DE Marcus Howard did not participate in practice. LB David Pittman had his arm in a sling Monday after making a big stop on third-and-goal Friday.
