Pauly LB
May 18th, 2010, 05:29 PM
Following is an interesting article that I found on the CFL Website which highlights the key rookies from last season with the Edmonton Eskimos. It is notable that of the six rookies that are highlighted in the article that four of them played FCS football. They are as follows:
* Arkee Whitlock -- Southern Illinois
* Mark Restelli -- Cal Poly -- the article notes that he finished fourth on the team in both defensive tackles and in special teams tackles but when you combine them he actually led the team in TOTAL TACKLES
* Greg Peach -- Eastern Washington and also a Buck Buchanon Award Winner
* Jason Barnes -- Sacramento State and yes, his brother Matt plays for the Orlando Magic
Here is the article:
Rookie Report: looking back on '09 Esks
May 17, 2010
Mitch Ward
CFL.ca
With the 2010 season fast approaching, the CFL.ca Rookie Report takes a look back at the top rookie performers from 2009 and what to expect from the 2010 sophomore class this season. In the second installment of the 'looking back on 2009' series we feature the Edmonton Eskimos.
Eskimos 2009 Most Outstanding Rookie Nominee – RB Arkee Whitlock
Notable 2009 Rookies
LB Mark Restelli
DE Greg Peach
KR Skyler Green
SB Jason Barnes
S Elliott Richardson
Last Season
Arkee Whitlock emerged last season as not only one of the best rookies of 2009 but one of the best running backs in the league period. Whitlock took over as the Eskimos feature back in week two after Jesse Lumsden went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter of the Eskimos season opener.
Esks 2009 MOR nominee Arkee Whitlock
Esks RB Arkee Whitlock finished tied for 2nd in the league with 13 TDs in his rookie season.
The Southern Illinois product got off to a shaky start dropping two passes in the endzone and losing a fumble that resulted in a Montreal TD in his first CFL start. He bounced back though and spent the rest of the season tearing up opposing defences. Whitlock finished tied for second in the league in touchdowns with 13 and third in the league in rushing with 1,293 yards and a sparkling 6.1 yards per carry average (all better then 2009 Most Outstanding Rookie winner Martell Mallett).
Perhaps most impressive was Whitlock’s play down the stretch. He racked up 495 yards (8.25 yards per carry) and five touchdowns during the Eskimos final four games helping the team go 3-1 down the stretch and secure the third seed in the west.
Keeping with the offence, slotback Jason Barnes finished the season strong. After spending most of 2009 on the practice roster he started the Eskimos final four games recording 14 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball Mark Restelli was a terrific find for the Eskimos last season. The Cal Poly product, who played high school and Pop Warner football with New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez showed his stuff at an open tryout in California where he impressed the Eskimos brass enough to bring him in to camp. Restelli ended up starting 17 games for the Esks in ’09 and finished fourth on the team in both defensive and special teams tackles with 58 and 16 respectively.
On the D-line Greg Peach had a strong first season in the CFL and was one of the Eskimos best pass rushers in 2009. He started 16 games at DE for the Esks recording 45 tackles and tied for the team lead with six QB sacks.
In one of the stranger stories of 2009, the Eskimos defence somehow managed to go seven full games without recording an interception to start the season. CFL rookie Bobby Keyes finally broke the streak recording the Eskimos first (and league’s 78th) interception in the first half of the team’s week 9 game against the Ticats. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to keep Keyes on the team as he was released a few weeks afterwards.
On special teams Skyler Green came out of nowhere during the Eskimos Western Semi-final loss to the Stampeders exploding for 253 yards on nine returns, including a 93-yarder for his first CFL touchdown. He was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort. Green spent the bulk of the season on the Eskimos reserve list but was activated for the last game of the regular season to fill in for an injured Tristan Jackson.
What to expect in 2010
With the release of Jesse Lumsden, Arkee Whitlock is the undisputed number one running back heading in to the 2010 campaign. He has excellent speed, quick feet and ankle-breaking moves in the open field. There is no reason not to expect him to have an even better sophomore season. He will definitely give back to back rushing champ Joffrey Reynolds a run for his money this season. His nose for the endzone should also put him near the top of the league in touchdowns as well.
Heading into Eskimos training camp one of the most interesting battles will be for the kick returner job. After an incredible 253 total return yards in the West Semi Skyler Green will definitely push third year Eskimo Tristan Jackson for the spot. Given the opportunity Green has the potential to be one of the best return men in the game. He has great wheels and is incredibly creative in the open field. Of course Jackson is no slouch and won’t give up the job without a fight.
With the retirement of Scott Gordon the Eskimos safety spot is up for grabs. Elliott Richardson will definitely be among those challenging for the starters role and his experience last season should give him a leg up on the competition heading in to camp. He is a solid tackler and if he can improve his coverage over the top could be effective in the Eskimos secondary. He will have to show his ability early on in camp though as Jason Nugent, Sammy Okpro and Eskimos draft pick Saleem Borhot will also be vying for the job.
Mark Restelli will also be a player to watch this year. He may be laid back and California cool, but he was a force on special teams and at linebacker for the Esks last season and should continue that into his second year. A ‘tweener’ at 6’2 and 215 pounds Restelli has the perfect combination of size and speed for the CFL. He can lay punishing hits, support the run D, and also drop back into coverage when necessary.
Greg Peach will also look to carry over his strong rookie campaign into 2010. As one of the Eskimos best pass rushers from a season ago the Esks will rely on him to make opposing quarterbacks' lives miserable.
LINK:
http://www.cfl.ca/article/rookie-report-looking-back-on-09-esks
* Arkee Whitlock -- Southern Illinois
* Mark Restelli -- Cal Poly -- the article notes that he finished fourth on the team in both defensive tackles and in special teams tackles but when you combine them he actually led the team in TOTAL TACKLES
* Greg Peach -- Eastern Washington and also a Buck Buchanon Award Winner
* Jason Barnes -- Sacramento State and yes, his brother Matt plays for the Orlando Magic
Here is the article:
Rookie Report: looking back on '09 Esks
May 17, 2010
Mitch Ward
CFL.ca
With the 2010 season fast approaching, the CFL.ca Rookie Report takes a look back at the top rookie performers from 2009 and what to expect from the 2010 sophomore class this season. In the second installment of the 'looking back on 2009' series we feature the Edmonton Eskimos.
Eskimos 2009 Most Outstanding Rookie Nominee – RB Arkee Whitlock
Notable 2009 Rookies
LB Mark Restelli
DE Greg Peach
KR Skyler Green
SB Jason Barnes
S Elliott Richardson
Last Season
Arkee Whitlock emerged last season as not only one of the best rookies of 2009 but one of the best running backs in the league period. Whitlock took over as the Eskimos feature back in week two after Jesse Lumsden went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter of the Eskimos season opener.
Esks 2009 MOR nominee Arkee Whitlock
Esks RB Arkee Whitlock finished tied for 2nd in the league with 13 TDs in his rookie season.
The Southern Illinois product got off to a shaky start dropping two passes in the endzone and losing a fumble that resulted in a Montreal TD in his first CFL start. He bounced back though and spent the rest of the season tearing up opposing defences. Whitlock finished tied for second in the league in touchdowns with 13 and third in the league in rushing with 1,293 yards and a sparkling 6.1 yards per carry average (all better then 2009 Most Outstanding Rookie winner Martell Mallett).
Perhaps most impressive was Whitlock’s play down the stretch. He racked up 495 yards (8.25 yards per carry) and five touchdowns during the Eskimos final four games helping the team go 3-1 down the stretch and secure the third seed in the west.
Keeping with the offence, slotback Jason Barnes finished the season strong. After spending most of 2009 on the practice roster he started the Eskimos final four games recording 14 catches for 156 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball Mark Restelli was a terrific find for the Eskimos last season. The Cal Poly product, who played high school and Pop Warner football with New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez showed his stuff at an open tryout in California where he impressed the Eskimos brass enough to bring him in to camp. Restelli ended up starting 17 games for the Esks in ’09 and finished fourth on the team in both defensive and special teams tackles with 58 and 16 respectively.
On the D-line Greg Peach had a strong first season in the CFL and was one of the Eskimos best pass rushers in 2009. He started 16 games at DE for the Esks recording 45 tackles and tied for the team lead with six QB sacks.
In one of the stranger stories of 2009, the Eskimos defence somehow managed to go seven full games without recording an interception to start the season. CFL rookie Bobby Keyes finally broke the streak recording the Eskimos first (and league’s 78th) interception in the first half of the team’s week 9 game against the Ticats. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to keep Keyes on the team as he was released a few weeks afterwards.
On special teams Skyler Green came out of nowhere during the Eskimos Western Semi-final loss to the Stampeders exploding for 253 yards on nine returns, including a 93-yarder for his first CFL touchdown. He was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort. Green spent the bulk of the season on the Eskimos reserve list but was activated for the last game of the regular season to fill in for an injured Tristan Jackson.
What to expect in 2010
With the release of Jesse Lumsden, Arkee Whitlock is the undisputed number one running back heading in to the 2010 campaign. He has excellent speed, quick feet and ankle-breaking moves in the open field. There is no reason not to expect him to have an even better sophomore season. He will definitely give back to back rushing champ Joffrey Reynolds a run for his money this season. His nose for the endzone should also put him near the top of the league in touchdowns as well.
Heading into Eskimos training camp one of the most interesting battles will be for the kick returner job. After an incredible 253 total return yards in the West Semi Skyler Green will definitely push third year Eskimo Tristan Jackson for the spot. Given the opportunity Green has the potential to be one of the best return men in the game. He has great wheels and is incredibly creative in the open field. Of course Jackson is no slouch and won’t give up the job without a fight.
With the retirement of Scott Gordon the Eskimos safety spot is up for grabs. Elliott Richardson will definitely be among those challenging for the starters role and his experience last season should give him a leg up on the competition heading in to camp. He is a solid tackler and if he can improve his coverage over the top could be effective in the Eskimos secondary. He will have to show his ability early on in camp though as Jason Nugent, Sammy Okpro and Eskimos draft pick Saleem Borhot will also be vying for the job.
Mark Restelli will also be a player to watch this year. He may be laid back and California cool, but he was a force on special teams and at linebacker for the Esks last season and should continue that into his second year. A ‘tweener’ at 6’2 and 215 pounds Restelli has the perfect combination of size and speed for the CFL. He can lay punishing hits, support the run D, and also drop back into coverage when necessary.
Greg Peach will also look to carry over his strong rookie campaign into 2010. As one of the Eskimos best pass rushers from a season ago the Esks will rely on him to make opposing quarterbacks' lives miserable.
LINK:
http://www.cfl.ca/article/rookie-report-looking-back-on-09-esks