As the 2023 season approaches, CFL.ca is here to catch you up with the Five Things To Know series. Each article will look at key storylines facing each team this season, while examining off-season movement and where your team might stand in 2023.
I’m pretty high on the Elks this year. Not top spot high😃 but arrow definitely up. An insider report (there were several like this) seems to echo your comments.
(Edmonton Elks’ quarterback) Taylor Cornelius has always had great raw tools, probably the best of any quarterback in this league. He’s deceptively fast, he’s big enough to absorb hits, and his arm’s really strong. Edmonton was smart to lock him up because he’s clearly putting in the work to develop and get better. (Sept 21/22)
Why I’m personally high on Elks? Cornelius - absolutely has to be quicker on decision making & limiting mistakes. In 20 CFL starts Cornelius has thrown for 4563 yds. He’s done that behind a makeshift OL in constant flux, with the benefit of Lawler for only 7 games, Wilder not at all. Their go-to back was a FB until Brown’s entry late in the year. And there has been a gong show/massive rebuild the past 2 years. He’s got a slew of really good weapons around him this year. Elks & TiCats are my teams to watch this year.
Interesting you mentioned Morgan. I read a tweet from an insider, later reposted by Elks Campbell. The Elks gave up 134.5 yds rushing/game with Morgan out, 88.1 yds rushing/game with Morgan playing. Morgan led the league in DT’s/game, just ahead of Sankey. If he stays healthy that’s a big plus.
The big one everyone misses are all the LTIR guys coming back. Wesley Apolon has a chance to play with his twin brother at LB. Grymes is back. Cobb is back and adds to allllll the receiving talent we added in free agency.
The one mark against Cornelius was accuracy - But I don’t see it. He had lots of problems with interceptions because some receivers couldn’t get away from defenders and would start throwing where the defender couldn’t get to the ball and make his receivers go after it.
I see him being much more settled, seeing downfield better, and having more receivers with excellent hands. If we couple that with the relentless run game that earned them 3rd in yards running last season, they should hold onto the ball longer and and win a lot of the close games we didn’t last year.
[quote=“Squishy21, post:3, topic:85190”]
…would start throwing where the defender couldn’t get to the ball and make his receivers go after it.I see him being much more settled, seeing downfield better, and having more receivers with excellent hands. If we couple that with the relentless run game that earned them 3rd in yards running last season, they should hold onto the ball longer and and win a lot of the close games we didn’t last year.
When asked if he’d run less because of the injury he suffered last year, Cornelius said no. Already covered this but…
Edm - Brown/Cornelius/Ford averaged 6.93 yds/carry last year, Cal - Carey/Mills/Logan 6.62 yds/carry, SK - Morrow/Hickson 5.65 yds/carry & Wpg Oliviera/Augustine 4.84 yds/carry.
And with all those receivers - it opens other stuff up. The stuff that’s the reason Harris is in Regina. That delayed underneath throw/run game really opens up because teams will be dropping into coverage more. It also reduces the number of times teams can blitz without getting burned for doing it.