The Edmonton Elks organization hasn’t won a season-opening game since June 14, 2019. They finished 8-10 that year. The last winning season in Edmonton was 2017 when the Green and Gold went 12-6.
The past few seasons have not been kind. Slow starts have plagued the Elks.
They started 0-2 in 2021 and ended 3-11 (14 GP).
They were 0-3 in 2022 and finished 4-14.
They started 0-9 in 2023 and finished 4-14.
They started 0-7 in 2024 and finished 7-11.
Last year, they were 0-3 and finished 7-11.
From President Chris Morris to GM Ed Hervey and head coach Mark Kilam, they are aware of the slow starts that ended their season before even the midpoint of the season, and the entire organization is focused on starting this season much better. It was a plan that began in the off-season, with some player signings, but also many meetings on how to break the “slow start” cycle.
I spoke with Kilam recently to get his thoughts on the early days of training camp and how their plan is going.
*** My comments will be in italics***
Gregor: I talked to you at the end of last season and you felt like you’d have more of a plan on how to have a more efficient came. Do you sense that has occurred?
Kilam: Yeah, I mean, I think it’s definitely been a more streamlined camp. You know, as far as the expectations that we had, we spent a lot of time in the off season trying to refine this process, what we were trying to get out of every practice, really trying to be intentional with it, and I think the familiarity with us as coordinators as well, we’re kind of a little bit more on the same page with what we expect and what we want to see. I was pleased with the way it has gone so far.
Gregor: Your team picked up speed in the second half of last season, and J.C. (Sherritt) talked about how he was way more comfortable calling plays later in the season and if your coaches are comfortable, your players are more comfortable. Are you confident you guys can pick up where you’re left off and carry that into this season?
Kilam: We tried to take the things we felt we did well, or what we could build on from the end of last year, and implement them into our off season. So that started in January, February, and then it was on the coaching staff in our meetings. We were trying to create a sense of urgency to take the next step, and that’s where, really, we buckled down on that process, and we wanted to carry that into training camp. And the goal was that would lead to a productive training camp, and really try to maximize what we’re doing. That’s kind of where we’re at right now. There’s a, I don’t want to say a more comfort, comfortability, or whatever that word is, but it’s definitely, we know what we want to accomplish and we have a plan to do that, and we’re trying to execute it.
The defence will be much more aggressive to start the season. Last year they were way too passive, and it showed. Defensive backs lined up too far off the line of scrimmage and teams had easy first downs. The D improved in the second half, and it will be a strength this year.
Gregor: On paper and on the field thus far it looks like there’s more talent on this team, specifically on the offensive line. You have eight guys who started games across the league last year. This might seem like an odd question, but guys rotate the D-line all the time, is there ever talk about rotating O-linemen at times to keep them fresh, would that ever be a possibility?
Kilam: In game, it could be, it definitely could be. The challenge is you usually are only dressing six or seven O-linemen, while on the D-line we usually go into a game with nine or ten. It definitely could be something like that, as far as a rotation, but the challenge with that is you want your O-line, good O-lines are on the same page all the time with their communication, so when you’re rolling guys in and out, they might not have seen the last previous look that, for instance, the tackle saw the one before. Communication is such a big thing with those guys
and the familiarity of playing beside a guy and knowing the man they’re playing beside, so that’s the challenge with that.
Gregor: The center position seems to be the one that’s most highly contested with two veterans in Beard and Korte. When you’re watching on film or live in practices and games what’s ultimately going to decide the center position?
Kilam: It’s a combination of things. First of all are we executing our assignment? Are we IDing the looks and the protections the way that we want to be doing that? Can we execute that?
What kind of techniques are we playing with? There’s so much that goes into it. I have a ton of respect for both of those players. It’s a challenging position to be put in late in your career, but it does happen to a lot of people, and I do want to give them credit. They knew about it way back in January, and they’ve attacked the off-season and they were here in the building throughout the winter, and they’ve handled the rotation very well in camp so far.
They have eight O-linemen who started games in the CFL last year. The starting line is much quicker, meaner and more skilled last year with the additions of Brendan Bordner (LT), Jordan Murray (RT) and Coulter Woodmansey (RG). Those three along with Carter O’Donnell (LG), who joined the team midway through the season make the best Oline in Edmonton in over a decade.
Gregor: Your secondary, pretty much every guy is back. You’ve coached a long time in the league, so how much more can you implement defensively when none of your secondary guys are learning the system? How much easier is it, or how much more in-depth can you go?
Kilam: I think the execution level gets even higher, and that’s the challenge that we gave to them. They have to be excellent communicators with each other and the way that they adjust to formations, but I think the level of execution and the detail in that, that’s what we are trying to push. Having all of them back allows us to run many different coverages.
Gregor: Robbie Smith is a difference maker. Unfortunately, injuries really limited him last year. We saw his impact, in spurts when he was healthy. What are you looking forward to him bringing on a regular basis on your D-line?
Kilam: Robbie is an explosive player. He has experience, he has a winning pedigree. We just need to keep him on the field. He’s been nicked up, not to any fault of his own, sometimes it just happens. Sometimes it’s just rotten luck, but he came to camp in great shape. He was flashing the first couple of days, then he missed a day, but we expect big things from Robbie this year. We need him.
Gregor: In your receiving core you brought in Austin Mack who has a lot of familiarity with your starting quarterback. You have lots of openings and good competition at the receiving core. How much of your evaluation will be on route running execution compared to blocking and then obviously the ability to just make plays?
Kilam: Our personnel department did an excellent job of targeting guys that were friendly for the quarterback, who had the IQ to pick up the system and pick up multiple positions, which is something that we’re stressing on our offense. But also we’re looking for guys who are versatile, who can block around the box and do different things. Not only just take the top off, but who’s the YAC (yards after catch) guys?
Who can we move around and do some different things with. We’ve been challenging those guys all the way through. They’re rolling through different positions. You know, it’s not a simple offense, but they’ve got to put the time in to learn it. It’s the combination of needing to do those things for the guys who are going to make the team.
Austin Mack, Joe Robustelli and Justin McGriff are names to watch for Mack played with Fajardo in Montreal and should be the go-to guy, but Robustelli has looked great in camp and he has all the ability to be a game breaker. McGriff is tall and lanky, but very smooth. He is the wildcard for me. He has lots of big-play potential. Zach Mathis, who was injured early last season, and Kalon Julien-Grant give the Elks a lot of “paper potential” ad should be able to make plays downfield.
Gregor: And your special teams unit, I think you have the best punters in Jake Julien, and Vincent Blanchard has loads of potential. How can you maximize your kickers to their fullest potential?
Kilam: We’re really happy that we got Jake at the start of camp, because Jake came halfway through last year, it is different when you’re not here from the start. He had to kind of figure out what we were asking our punter to do on the fly. But Jake’s leg talent is exceptional and we want to maximize that this season and feel it sets him up for success being here from the start.
And same thing with Vin. I mean, it was really his first year last year of playing. Vin is young, and he’s super talented. We want him to be comfortable. He knows we support him. And then you pair those two guys with Luke Burton-Krahn, who I think is the best long snapper in the CFL.
We’ve got a good trio right there.
Gregor: And lastly, when you look at the preseason games, from how you approached it last year, do you have a different approach this season to ensure you’re ready at the start of the regular season?
Kilam: It was part of our plan all off season. It’s a little bit different. Remember last year, we bussed down day of game to Calgary. We’re not doing that. We’re out in Victoria this year and then obviously we’re really excited to play here at Clark. I think that’s going to be fun, but we do have a plan. We want guys to play in both preseason games. We’ve talked to all the players and they are into it.
Some players might not play due to minor injuries, but Cody Fajardo is going to Victoria as are many of the starters. The Elks can’t afford to be rusty when the regular season begins on June 6th and Kilam is using the preseason to ensure they are sharp. I like the strategy.
