Article author:
Canadian Press
Stephen Thunder
Edmonton — Last week, Rookie Tre Ford became the first Canadian quarterback to launch the Edmonton Elks franchise in over 50 years. ..
This Thursday, he is expected to make his first start at the Commonwealth Stadium, hoping to lead Elks to his first home win since October 12, 2019. is. Elks finally won the home game. Ford was the third year quarterback at the University of Waterloo.
Elks (1-3) will host the Calgary Stampeders (3-0), aiming for revenge for the 30-23 defeat in the third week at McMahon Stadium.
Nick Arbuckle has been removed from the starting role after the game. Ford, the first draft topic, did enough to help Elks get out on the road and defeat Hamilton 29-25 on Canada Day.
Both Ford and Arbuckle actually had a snap for the first team for the match on Thursday, but coach and general manager Chris Jones warned not to read too much. did.
"We always make sure everyone is ready," Jones said. "We are a double barrel and the guys get multiple snaps in both groups. We are preparing for the worst that can happen."
Elks has four quarters on the roster. Carrying back — American Kai Locksley and Taylor Cornelius are others — create an unpredictable situation under the center. Entering the season, Jones predicted that the quarterback position battle would continue throughout the 2022 campaign.
But Ford, who can defeat the defense with his arms and legs, is now a man. His numbers from the Hamilton victory weren't surprising — 159 yards in the air, and an additional 61 yards in a hurry. But a native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, did what Arbuckle couldn't do this season. Leading Elks to victory.
"He's very difficult to defend, tough in space, and you're not going to tackle him as a single man," Jones said. "To make him hemming up, you need more than one person. He has to make the throws he needs to do. Take the ball out of his hand and give it to the guys and let go of the playmaker. It's a bit of a basic play. "
Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson said Ford wasn't completely unknown due to the high inventory of drafts.
"We are familiar with him because he has worked so hard on the draft process," Dickenson said. "I think he's young, but I'm confident. I think he's enjoying the game. I need to make sure he's working hard on the details. He plays. He plays. You can throw and you can run. "
Arbuckle complemented the quarterback that took on his job, at least for now.
"He brings another dynamic to the attack and I find it difficult for defense to defend. It's so different from defending me that defense makes a movie and how to protect him. It takes a while to learn. He is another kind of athlete and emphasizes defense in different ways. "
Despite Ford's athletic ability, Elks Don't expect to add a lot of dazzle to the playbook of Thursday's match. Ford is still fresh from his U-sports career at Waterloo, and Jones has promised not to overwhelm the ongoing team with complex game plans.
"For now, I think the problem is to keep it simple and allow me to learn and become a master of what we have. "Ford said. "Then try to develop it, make it more complicated from there, make it harder for defense to cover — and put in there and some special plays that I can use my feet.
Elks is likely to keep things simple, but look for stamps to introduce a defensive look intended to confuse rookie quarterbacks. When the team met in the third week, Stamps only allowed Elks to attack 290 yards, and they present Ford with a much tougher challenge than the unwinning Ticats.
"Young quarterbacks, we want to give them multiple looks," Dickenson said. "That's what we're trying to do."
Ford was elected at the draft meeting, but the idea of a Canadian college quarterback joining the CFL and getting a job soon is It's novel. Quarterbacks of newcomers who have graduated from American colleges are not expected to be given too much responsibility.
"The U-Sports quarterback is in (CFL) and will not start by the fourth week," Ford said. "I didn't expect it, but at the same time, I'm always ready to go."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 6, 2022. it was done.
