Rearview mirrors are in brief provide at Commonwealth Stadium proper now, because the Edmonton Elks do their collective greatest to overlook the short-term previous and give attention to any type of future.
"We're simply trying via the windshield and the place we're going," Jones mentioned after the opening follow of essential camp below a scorching solar, which had Jones draping a towel over his head for elements of the day.
However the distant previous is definitely what Jones will attempt to replicate as he returns to Edmonton seven years after the franchise's final Gray Cup championship when it was referred to as the Eskimos.
"We have got an enormous job to do. It is kinda surreal coming again after having a number of success. It is actually cool seeing a few of these guys that have been on that squad," mentioned Jones, who all of the sudden left the double E in 2015 to educate three seasons in Saskatchewan earlier than a brief stint with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
His monumental on-field job now's to return the Elks to respectability.
The crew received simply three video games in 2021 and failed to offer followers any success at Commonwealth by dropping each dwelling subject sport.
So any discuss of a potential return to the Gray Cup is likely to be seen as extremely bold.
"I am not overly clever so, I can not even consider how far that will be, I imply months, that's proper… so we simply need to put one foot in entrance of the opposite and kinda take child steps," Jones added.
However gamers have already observed an elevated quantity of the one issue that could be most vital to any coaching camp, in any sport, in any league.
"He is fired up. He is able to go. Coach Jones, of all of the coaches I've had, he brings essentially the most competitors to follow, so day one, all of us (are) able to go," mentioned David Beard, an offensive lineman who performed for Jones throughout that CFL championship run in 2015.
The Edmonton Elks warm-up forward of the opening follow of essential camp on Sunday, Might 15, 2022 (CTV Information Edmonton/Dave Mitchell).
"We bought competitions occurring like loopy," Beard added.
Whereas Jones focuses on his gamers, the off-field issues that plagued the Elks in 2021 are beginning to be resolved as nicely.
New crew President Victor Cui has given staff, new and outdated, a renewed sense of delight.
The Elks have a revamped communications employees and an improved video manufacturing crew they hope will enhance their social media presence with new hires.
One potential hurdle to a profitable season throughout your entire CFL, is sustained labour points between the league and gamers union. Groups are not sure of gamers standing on a day-to-day foundation.
Stated Jones, "I left my telephone inside, in order that I did not get any type of notification, so we'll see as soon as we go in and verify the e-mail, or the textual content…or verify Twitter!
Elks gamers spokesperson Aaron Grymes advised CTV Information Edmonton that the CFL could not afford any stoppage to the season whereas it fights to stay related throughout the Canadian sports activities panorama.
"I feel it is the very last thing we want proper now as a league, and as gamers, I do not assume both facet can afford it. Each side need the perfect deal potential, and that is what they're on the (negotiation) desk doing proper now, hopefully proper now, at this minute."
The Elks welcome followers again inside Commonwealth for a pre-season matchup vs Calgary on June third for Stand With Ukraine evening. All proceeds from the $15 tickets will go to the Canada Ukraine Basis.
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