The Edmonton Elks’ final media availability for the season was last weekend at Commonwealth Stadium.
Before the scrums involving the big dogs, HC Mark Kilam, GM Ed Hervey, and starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, I had the opportunity to sit down with S/DHB/SLB Kordell Jackson, the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year nominee, and CB JJ Ross — another guy I felt firmly could’ve been in that conversation.
Kordell had an unbelievable season with the Elks and more than earned the nomination. He was incredibly versatile, recording 78 tackles, two sacks, and 11 PBUs, a number that ranked fourth in the CFL. He was a dude you could rely on week in and week out. He plays the game smartly and emerged as one of the focal points on the defence. A huge part of that is his ability to play three, or really four, different positions. I loved talking to him and asking him about what the nomination means, where he likes to play, and more.
The other conversation was with JJ Ross. JJ started on the practice squad and, after Emmanuel Rugamba’s release, Devodric Bynum’s injury, and watching Leonard Johnson get a start, finally got his chance. And man, did he make the most of it. I thought he also could’ve been the team’s DPOY nominee. I love his game, man. He does so well at everything in that field corner position. He can break on the ball, he plays physical, he can play the ball in the air, and he tackles so well. The list goes on, man. He quickly became my favourite player on the defence, so I was really happy to have a chance to talk to him. I got a chance to ask about the journey, making the most of opportunities, and much more.
Here are the conversations with JJ and Kordell.
Sit Down Interview with JJ Ross:
ME: Coming from the practice squad and getting one game last year, not getting a whole lot of reps, how much did you come into this season feeling like you had to really prove yourself?
JJ ROSS: Honestly, it was just more about staying true to who I am. And that’s just, you know, doing all the little things, trying to be a student of the game as much as possible. And whenever I got my opportunity, to take advantage of it. And this offseason, I worked hard to make sure I did that. And then whenever I got the chance this year, I was just trying to do that the best way I could.
ME: What’s the mindset like for you? How does it go when, early in the season, Emmanuel Rugamba gets released and then Devodric Bynum gets hurt, Leonard Johnson gets a game starting at that boundary corner spot? What’s the mindset for you to see all those things happen and then get the start after that? How does that all play out in your mind?
JJ ROSS: I mean, really, like, honestly, just like I said — just focusing on myself, controlling what I can control. All of us in the room were tight with each other, and all of us gave info on what we think we should do or what not to do. So really, just being a younger guy out of everybody, taking their advice and just listening. And, like I said, bro, just be ready whenever the opportunity was there to present itself. And I just try to take advantage of that as much as possible.
ME: The secondary kind of seemed to go through a lot of changes. There were a lot of different positions. It seemed like Chelen and Kenny, and Kordell were always switching safety, half, and Sam. What was the camaraderie of the group like? Was there one voice that was a leading presence for you guys?
JJ ROSS: I mean, we all held each other accountable. I feel like that’s why this group was so special. But we definitely had a couple of guys, like the older vet guys — like Kordell, Metchie, those types — who had more of a leadership role, really just keeping all the guys together. I feel like it was easy for us to be like that because it’s just who we are individually. And we all have one common goal, and that’s just trying to be as good as we can be. So I feel like that made it easier.
ME: Obviously, as an individual, you always know you can play. You know you’re a good player, you know what I mean? But was there a moment for you in-game where it popped and you were like, OK, not only do I belong at this level, but I can show out at this level?
JJ ROSS: Honestly, man, everyone always has that “can I do it?” But I’ve always been so confident in my abilities, you know, by the grace of God, the gifts He’s given me, and just the work that I put in outside of just playing games — everything else that leads up to it. So I was always confident that I would be able to get the job done. But like you said, actually being able to see it and play — I think the game that really clicked for me was probably the Toronto game. The first Toronto game that we played here at home, just having that game-winning drive, last play of the game, coming down to the wire, and playing particularly well throughout that game. I just knew it was important to keep stacking. And, like I said, I always want to continue to be better. So, for me, that was definitely it.
ME: Do you have a favourite play — like one play where you’re like, this is my Sportscentre Top 10 play?
JJ ROSS: I ain’t gonna lie, I got a couple, bro. I feel like they called that other touchdown back. I thought it was a pick-six at the moment, I thought it was, but they called that down. But that was probably my favourite one, just attacking the ball like I did. And then probably, honestly, either the pick from Winnipeg or that strip that I had versus BC. I feel like those types of plays felt good. But, yeah, man, I feel like I left a couple plays out there too that I wish I could get back. But that’s just football. So I feel like I’ll get that opportunity next year to show what I can be.
Sit Down Interview with Kordell Jackson:
ME: How does it feel to be the nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player?
KORDELL JACKSON: It’s an honour, man, ’cause we’ve got so many veteran guys, so many talented athletes on defence. And just to be nominated, man, it’s a blessing for sure. And I don’t take it for granted. I’m honoured. And it puts another chip on my shoulder to prove myself even more for next year.
ME: You, Chelen, Kenny — you guys were always kind of rotating between safety, Sam, and defensive half. Was there ever a time, or an issue, where you felt more comfortable playing one position but Coach Kilam had you playing another, and you had to adapt in a way you might not have wanted to or expected?
KORDELL JACKSON: No. That’s just one of the things I pride myself on — being versatile. Being able to know every position on the field, know why they’re doing each and everything. That way, you’re more available, and you have more availability to stay on the field. And the more you’re available, the more positions you can play, the more value that adds to your game. That’s just what I always grew up learning. So it was easy to really plug in. It was just making sure everybody else knew everything. And once we all knew everything, we were good to go. Either position — it didn’t even matter.
ME: Do you have a favourite position? When you look at your future in the CFL, your future with Edmonton, do you say, I want to be the Sam, I want to play defensive half, I want to be starting safety?
KORDELL JACKSON: Mm-hm. No, I really don’t mind as long as I’m with all the action. So Sam and boundary half are definitely my favourite two, just because in the boundary, you’re hot. And at Sam, you can dictate a lot more in the run game, pass game, what the quarterback sees. If I had to pick one, it’d be Sam, though. But I don’t care what I play, for sure.
ME: Do you have a favourite blitz package when you’re playing the Sam?
KORDELL JACKSON: It’ll be a 4-2, 4-2-6, I guess. But yeah, when I’m at that linebacker position, coming off the edge — I like that a lot. Just because even if I don’t come off the edge, I’m still in the box, ready to make a play, and able to make any play that comes.
ME: How do you compare how the team finished and how the season ended versus what you did as an individual?
KORDELL JACKSON: I think it’s one and the same, because early on, I didn’t really play that well. So I kind of took some of that on the chin. That’s my fault as well, just because I’m not the oldest guy in the room, but I look at myself as the leader in the room. So if we’re not playing as well, I kind of take it and try to see what we need to do to get better. But overall, I still think it was a good season. I think we learned a lot. I still think it’s a disappointing season because we didn’t win a Grey Cup, and anytime you don’t win a Grey Cup — or make the playoffs — it’s disappointing. But I do feel like we learned a lot and we grew together. And I think when you’re in a stretch like this with the young guys we have, it’s more important right now that you learn early. That way next year, and the years after that, if we can stay together and keep this team together, then it will be a scary sight. So individually, I feel like it was a good year at the end. I still want some plays back because I dropped a few interceptions. If you have those interceptions now, you’re not just looking at outstanding defensive player here, but in the league. That’s why I still want to go be the defensive MOP. I still have aspirations to do that as well.
ME: Did you have a favourite play of the season, whether it be a SportsCenter Top 10 kind of play or just a play where you felt like, OK, I was locked in, I had the right read, I did what I had to? It might not be something the casual fan always realizes, but for you mentally, you were like, OK, I can lock in and I can do this?
KORDELL JACKSON: I had two of those favourite plays. One of them was a scoop-and-score — just being around the ball — that I had against Winnipeg. I feel like when you run a flow like that, man, it just feels amazing, like nothing can stop you. And I was supposed to have an interception the next drive that I dropped, but that type of play there is something you’ll remember forever. That’s my first CFL touchdown, so of course that’s the most memorable one. And then I think one against Toronto — either the interception or when Jake tried to hurdle me — that was a very fun play. But I feel like the majority of the time I’m always locked in. So I think those plays stack up more than anything. We just have to continue to get better and be more locked in on more of the plays in each and every game.
