Esks make use of fieldhouse
By GERRY MODDEJONGE, QMI Agency
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  Slotback Fred Stamps makes a catch during the Edmonton Eskimos practice at the Commonwealth Stadium field house in Edmonton on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. (CODIE MCLACHLAN/QMI Agency)
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EDMONTON - Winter has gone from mild to wild in Edmonton, but the Eskimos are safe inside their own little igloo.
Well, it’s actually a 65-yard long indoor field house, but it protects from the snow and wind just the same.
“What’s wrong with outside? We’re Eskimos, right?” head coach Kavis Reed joked Thursday. “No, it’s definitely been a godsend for us both in training camp and the last seven weeks.
“Great investment.”
As was the new roof on BC Place Stadium, which will host both Sunday’s West Division final and the Grey Cup the following week.
Playing indoors has its advantages.
“Especially for the skill positions, we don’t have to worry about any elements now: wind, snow or cold hands or anything like that,” quarterback Ricky Ray said. “You can pretty much open the whole playbook and go in there feeling confident that you don’t have to worry about anything.”
Defensive players, it seems, have a different perspective on the weather.
“Playing indoors, outdoors, it doesn’t matter,” linebacker Rod Davis said of the playoffs. “Football is meant to be played outdoors.”
gerry.moddejonge@sunmedia.ca
@SunModdejonge
