Before new general manager Eric Tillman arrived in Edmonton, the Eskimos were 2-8 and at the bottom of the CFL's West Division. The team started the year 1-4 before firing GM Danny Maciocia, and continued to struggle past Labour Day weekend.
Since Tillman has taken the reigns, the Eskimos have gone a surprising 5-2, improving their overall record to 7-10 and jumping into the playoff race. Heading into the final week of the regular season, Edmonton is tied with the BC Lions for the last playoff spot in the West and holds the tiebreaker. With a win over the struggling Saskatchewan Roughriders, or a Lions loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton will cap their impressive midseason turnaround with a berth in the post-season.
"Whatever it was, it's working," said Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray of his team's change of fortune midway through the season. "We're starting to play some good football. It took us a long time but we're getting things together."
The team's turnaround, coinciding with Tillman's arrival, is a little surprising since the new GM didn't make any immediate decisions regarding team personnel, instead opting to give players a clean slate and chance to prove themselves.
"(Tillman) stuck with us, he gave us an opportunity to show what we're made of. I think he realized that there were some pretty good football players here and we made the best of our situation," said veteran centre Aaron Fiacconi.
"I think the coaches believed in the players," said Tillman of his decision. "They've been through a lot of adversity, but there was a sense that we could turn it around and week-by-week, we've done that."
Eskies head coach Richie Hall was also pleased his new boss didn't make any abrupt decisions regarding players.
"At the beginning of the season, I felt we had a good football team. I still think, going into Week 18, we had a good football team. The biggest difference between us now and then is we're playing more consistent football," said Hall. "We have a lot of the same guys. Why weren't we getting it done early in the season? I can't tell you that, I just know that over the last two months they've been playing pretty solid, inspired, disciplined football."
For now, Tillman says the goal is to make the playoffs and play their best football when it matters most, but even with the team's big turnaround this season, he isn't done making changes.
"From my position in leadership, we also see some of the issues and areas we need to get stronger in. Regardless of whether we play a couple more weeks or we win on the last Sunday, we will address those things that need to be improved in the offseason."
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