Looking for a spark to help end a six-game losing streak, the Edmonton Eskimos have made a trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to get running back C.J. Gable.
A five-year CFL vet, the 29-year-old Gable was obtained for two players off the Eskimos negotiation list.
In nine games this season, Gable has 466 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards and is coming off one of his most productive games. On Saturday night the 6’0″ 219 pound USC product had 18 carries for 157 yards in Hamilton’s loss to Toronto. In 51 career games with the Tiger-Cats Gable has run for 2,372 yards and 17 TDs – with another 486 receiving yards and eight more touchdowns.
Eskimos vice president of football and general manager Brock Sunderland said the two teams had talked trade in recent weeks and that intensified after an injury Eskimos running back Travon Van on Saturday. Sunderland believes Gable will be a good fit.
“A proven back that’s played in huge games, a great runner. You saw what he did on Saturday night,” Sunderland said. “A good route runner with good vision and good hands.”
Sunderland also stressed that Gable is an all-round back able to handle blocking assignments as well
“Great in pass pro. Not only tough, but he knows who to pick up and when to pick them up which is as important as his willingness to do it.”
Hamilton has not been a run oriented team, they are last in rushing attempts but first in yards per rush average at 6.5 yards. Injuries have hurt the Eskimos run game this season, they are last in average at 4.4 yards per carry. Gable, also very good in pass protection, will become the fifth starting running back this season for the Eskimos.
Gable, a two-time CFL Eastern All Star and runner up for CFL rookie of the year in 2013, is expected to be on the field when the Eskimos go back to practice on Thursday. The Eskimos lost their sixth straight on Saturday night 28-19 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and will try to return to the win column next Monday with a game in Montreal.
The Eskimos lost their sixth straight on Saturday night 28-19 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Sunderland said all efforts are being made to bring that to an end.
“No one in this building is walking around singing and smiling we are all frustrated. There is a lot of football yet to be played no one is throwing in the towel”
The Eskimos will try to return to the win column next Monday with a game in Montreal.
Hear more on the trade from Eskimos head coach Jason Maas Monday night on the Eskimos Coach’s Show on 630 CHED at 7:30 p.m.
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