GAME DAY: B.C. AT EDMONTON, 4: 30 P.M.
With his team mired in a three-game losing streak, veteran Edmonton Eskimos receiver Fred Stamps says now is not the time for panic.
Now, he says, is the time for players to purge their minds of the memory of the last five games - four of them losses - and refocus on the road ahead.
"Those losses, that's behind us," Stamps said as the 5-6 Eskimos prepared this week to meet the CFL west division leading B.C.
Lions today. "We have the mentality that it's a new season for us. We're going to take this game versus B.C. And focus on that. Every-thing else is behind us."
The Eskimos can't afford any distractions against the Lions, who enter the game with a league-best 8-3 record. B.C. has the best defence in the league, leading the CFL in 17 defensive categories and allowing the fewest points, touchdowns and net yards against of any team.
The Lions also boast a dangerous running back in Andrew Harris, and quarterback Travis Lulay is coming off a huge performance in last week's win over Toronto.
Staying focused, however, may be easier said than done, given all that's whirling around the Eskimos these days.
The running game has disappointed despite adding Cory Boyd and Jerome Messam to compliment Hugh Charles.
And except for a few glimpses, none of the three quarterbacks have given the Eskimos the leadership they need. Stephen Jyles has been given the starting assignment again. He missed the first two losses with a calf injury and entered last week's game in relief, only to throw an interception on one of his eight passes.
The offence ranks last or next to last in virtually all offensive statistics.
That prompted team management to bring in veteran offensive coach David Kelly as a consultant, which immediately cast doubt on the future of offensive co-ordinator Marcus Crandell.
"Marcus is our offensive co-ordinator and will be throughout this season," head coach Kavis Reed said, insisting there is no controversy and no need for a vote of confidence.
"David will not call a play, David will not be the architect of our offence, David is not the guy here to replace Marcus.
"We're in a valley right now and we're doing everything we need to do to make sure we get out of it very fast. Airlifting people in halfway through the season and having them be decision makers doesn't work in football."
Reed is hoping Kelly's skill in running an uptempo offence that "utilizes the passing game as a run weapon" will get the Eskimos back to playing a quicker offensive game.
