Kavis Reed answers questions from the media after being introduced as the Edmonton Eskimos new coach Friday, December 10, 2010, in Edmonton.Ian Jackson
The rule is no newspapers in the dressing room and no TV highlights shown anywhere outside the trainer's room. If the Edmonton Eskimos are the toast of the Canadian Football League, their head coach doesn't want to give his players a crumb, not a single reason to gloat.
That's how it is with Kavis Reed. Stay hungry, stay humble, especially this week because the rookie headmaster of the unbeaten Eskimos knows Friday's game in Winnipeg against the East Division-leading Blue Bombers is going to be a test of a different kind. A stern measure of the Eskimos stunning start, "probably our toughest [game]to this point," Reed insisted.
And he should know. That Winnipeg defence, the one that has manhandled its share of ball carriers and quarterbacks this season, is very much the unit Reed tutored last year as its coordinator. The same principal players are there; the same aggression, too. Only now the Blue Bombers are a year older and a lot more battle-tested after playing through so many close losses in 2010 (eight by four points or less).
Even now, as he studies game tapes of his former players looking for signs of weakness, Reed admitted he can't help but be captivated by what the Blue Bombers are unleashing.
"They've gone from young pups to full-grown dogs," Reed respectfully noted. "It's hard to watch them on film because you find yourself smiling at the things they're doing."
Reed, who left Winnipeg for his promotion in Edmonton, wants his defence carrying on in Blue Bomber-like fashion, and that speaks to his coaching philosophy, and why the Eskimos have won almost as many games this season (five) as they did all last year (seven).
Coming into training camp, the Eskimos felt they needed to stabilize their offensive line and add some receivers to compliment quarterback Ricky Ray and playmaker Fred Stamps. It was thought to be a manageable renovation. Defensively, the house was gutted.
Only four starters were brought back. Newcomers were given starting roles. As a former Edmonton defensive back who understood the importance of constructing a strong defensive foundation, Reed was quick to let everyone know what he expected.
"You have to be fast," he explained Tuesday. "Young players will make mistakes but they'll also correct them by being fast … I played here in 1995 and that's the way the Edmonton Eskimos' defence was. There was pressure every practice rep to be the first to the ball.
"Chemistry will come; speed to the ball is important."
The Eskimos have toyed with their defensive line-up, trying T.J. Hill at free safety before moving him back to outside linebacker and employing under-sized rookie import J.C. Sherritt at inside linebacker. Hill leads the team in fumble recoveries; Sherritt leads in tackles. So far, everyone has made sure to deliver on what Reed wants, otherwise they'll hear about it. "He lets you know when he's not happy," Ray said. Worse, they'll find themselves looking for work elsewhere.
It happened earlier this week with third-year running back Arkee Whitlock. Against the Toronto Argonauts last Friday, Whitlock carried the ball seven times for 36 yards, but fumbled. Given the Eskimos' stable of good runners, Whitlock's showing was considered sub-par and he was called into Reed's office and released.
"You have to understand the emotional IQ of your team," said Reed, who insisted cutting Whitlock wasn't easy but necessary. "We felt the players could handle it and we felt we had depth at running back [with Jerome Messam, Calvin McCarty, Daniel Porter]… Our focus has to be internal."
To maintain that inner vision, Reed has implemented a media cone of silence. Cornerback Rod Williams may be leading the CFL in interceptions but Reed doesn't want him hearing about it from outsiders. Reserve defensive backs Corbin Sharun and Mike Miller may be 1-2 in special teams tackles but they're not starters and they have plenty of things to work on.
It's about controlling the only message that matters, the one from the man in charge.
"We're a very young team. Guys start to read their press clippings and believe them. We're nowhere near good enough yet to say we're anything special," Reed said. "If we believe we're star-studded then the fall will be hard."
In Winnipeg, where the Edmonton head coach knows just how good the Blue Bomber defenders have become, he wants more of the same from his group.