STAMPS VOICE MARK STEPHEN ON THE BUMBLING ELKS

By: Stephen Lylyk, RP Show Intern

“Not every franchise gets to be great. Some teams are condemned to not just run-of-the-mill badness, but infamy.” 

This 2016 quote by freelance American journalist Chris Morgan sets the mood for the current status of the CFL’s Edmonton Elks. 

Once the gold standard for success with their dynasty of the early 80s, the Elks of today set the gold standard for futility.  

If a 7-24 record since the beginning of the 2021 season wasn’t explanatory enough the historic home ineptitude should do the trick. 

Following their 28-23 loss to the Toronto Argonauts the Elks extended their CFL record breaking home losing streak to a 16th straight defeat.  

The recent Saturday loss, in which the Elks blew a 16-6 halftime lead, was highlighted by a game changing 4th quarter play.  

Up 23-15 starting QB Taylor Cornelius was forced to miss one play while being examined for a head injury following a serious in game incident. 

While Cornelius would finish the game, that one play in which backup Tre Ford was behind centre resulted in an interception, inspiring a late Argonauts comeback.  

It was announced Monday that Cornelius’s 2022 campaign has come to an end with a spleen injury.  

Calgary Stampeders broadcaster Mark Stephen went on the Rod Pedersen show Monday and had this to say about the Elks historically poor form:

“They’re 0-8 at home. They’re losing by historic margins also. I’m disturbed by what I’m seeing there. They’re just not a competitive team.”  

Following the 3-11 2021 campaign this is what former Elks GM Brock Sunderland had to say during his season ending interview.  

“We certainly want to have the reverse record at this time next year,” Sunderland explained. “That’s going to be the goal, we’re going to try to do this as fast as possible.”  

Approaching the end of the 2022 season the Elks sit at the bottom of the league not only with their record, but also in total points with 306. They also sit at the bottom of the league total points allowed at 492 (over 100 points more than the next team on the list).  

As current Elks Coach and GM Chris Jones explained in a recent interview the final two weeks will focus on evaluation for next season.  

“Anyone can show up when everything’s all rosy. It’s the guys who can show up win, lose, or draw, when the chips are down those are the guys you want as pillars of what you’re doing and foundational pieces.” 

The Edmonton Elks franchise is in a bad place and as Mark Stephen argues things better improve quickly.  

“We’ll see where it goes, maybe their great plan comes together but it better in a hurry.”