Game #4
Edmonton Eskimos @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Date: Saturday, July 24, 2010
Place: Canad Inns Stadium – Winnipeg, MB
Kick-off: 4:30pm (Mountain Time)
Television: TSN
Radio: 630 CHED Edmonton (Morley Scott & Dave Campbell)
             CJOB Winnipeg (Bob Irving & Mitch Zalnasky)
             Sirius Radio Channel 97
 

The Edmonton Eskimos (0-3) look to put the brakes on their season opening losing skid when they take on the Blue Bombers (1-2) Saturday night in Winnipeg.   

Bomber Head Coach Paul LaPolice paid the Esks a compliment, calling them “the best 0-3 team” he’s seen and for three quarters of every game this season he’d be right.  However, it’s the fourth quarter that’s been Edmonton’s undoing.  They’ve been outscored 29-0 in the final frame and have shown an alarming capacity for self destruction, prompting Head Coach Richie Hall to say his team is their own worst enemy.

The Ricky Ray to Fred Stamps combo is putting up big yardage between the 20 yard lines, but their efforts aren’t translating into touchdowns.  Too often the Esks are settling for field goals when they should be converting majors. 
   
Defensively the Esks should get a boost from the return of veteran D-lineman Dario Romero who’s been sidelined with a nagging ankle injury. Edmonton catches a bit of a break with Bomber QB Buck Pierce down with a knee injury. They’ll face Ex-Esk and ‘Rider Steven Jyles who makes his first start for Winnipeg.

Edmonton has split the series with the ‘Bombers the past two years, losing both games in Winnipeg.   Looking for good omens for the Esks? 2004 was the last time Edmonton dropped three straight to start a season. That year they’d go 9-6 to close out the campaign before losing in the CFL West Semi-Final. 

After their Manitoba sojourn, Edmonton returns to Commonwealth Stadium for a pair of games - BC on Friday, July 30th and Toronto on Friday, August 6th for 70’s Retro Night featuring the Ron Estay Wall of Honour induction.                  

Notables

• Last week QB Jared Zabransky had his first pass attempt, completion and rush in the CFL.
• Happy 30th birthday to receiver Kelly Campbell.  Kelly celebrates his birthday on Friday, July 23rd. 
• The Edmonton Eskimos are again taking part in Monday Morning Magic at Capital Ex on Monday, July 26th.  The event takes place annually on the first Monday of the Capital Ex Festival.  The kid zone opens at 9:00am to children with disabilities so they can enjoy the rides without the battle of long line-ups and huge crowds.  The Eskimos have proudly taken part in this event for many years as the players, staff and Cheer Team all take the morning to go and help the kids on and off the rides.  Approximately 50 Eskimo players are expected to be in attendance.  The event ends at noon as the Exhibition grounds open to the general public.