Edmonton Eskimos' Kenny Ladler (37) scrambles away after intercepting a pass as Hamilton Tiger Cats' Terrence Toliver (80) gives chase during second half CFL playoff action, in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, November 13, 2016.
There are no rookies anymore at this point in the season.
Especially not one with 17 regular-season games under his belt like Kenny Ladler, who showed an ability to take his game to the next level in the playoffs with a late interception that led to the winning field goal in last week's East Division semifinal.
It stands as the biggest defensive play of the Edmonton Eskimos' season as they prepare for Sunday's East Division final against the Ottawa Redblacks (11 a.m., TSN, 630 CHED).
Still, it would have been nice for Ladler to enjoy that rookie designation for at least a little while.
While 2016 marked his inaugural CFL season, it's the two NFL games he dressed for as a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2014 that made him ineligible to become what otherwise would have been the shoe-in as Edmonton's nominee for most outstanding rookie.
But that didn't stop the Vanderbilt product from quietly putting together a solid first foray into the CFL as the Eskimos nickel linebacker.
“We scrutinize, we grade every play and it was hard to find a negative play on his part in the whole entire game, to be quite honest with you,” said Eskimos head coach Jason Maas. “He played an outstanding football game for a rookie playing his first playoff game.
“That's huge on his account to be ready for that, but I think that also shows you what kind of veteran group we have around him that allows him to play that freely and with that much confidence.”
After all, it takes an entire roster to raise a rookie. Even one that's not technically a rookie.
“They have a rule if you played in the NFL then you weren't eligible,” Ladler said.
“But I don't understand that if I'm on a rookie contract, so it makes no sense to me how that happens, but I'm just here to do my job and make sure that I'm able to put my team in position to win.”
Like that interception on Zach Collaros with 1:25 left in Sunday's game.
“We were just sitting back in zone coverage and I think the quarterback forced it,” Ladler recalled. “The ball was coming right to me, I made sure I made the play and caught the ball. After I caught the ball, I was thinking score, so I got up. I had a facemask (penalty) that wasn't called, but it's all good. We still won.
“It was a big play that my team needed and I was glad I could make it.”
Even if the Eskimos don't reach their ultimate goal of winning back-to-back Grey Cups, Ladler will always have the ball as a memento of his first CFL playoff experience.
“Oh, I'm keeping that one, that's coming back to the crib and we're going to put it on a stand or something, make something special for it,” he said. “That was a special interception.”
And it turns out it came with some prize money too. The entire defence pitched into a pot that went to whomever made the biggest play of the playoff game.
“It was a real big pot,” said Ladler, who cashed out $800 richer. “It wasn't nothing like taking someone out or something. It's just to encourage each other and get the best out of each other, a little bit of motivation and a little bit of fun at the same time.”
Edmonton Eskimos defensive end sees same old Henry Burris
The more things change, the more they stay the same for Phillip Hunt.
The Edmonton Eskimos defensive end says he sees the same Henry Burris today as he remembers from six years ago.
Back in 2010, when he led the CFL with 16 sacks as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before spending the next five years in the NFL, Hunt said Burris was at the top of his game.
After all, the then-Calgary Stampeders quarterback had been named a CFL all-star for the first time, while also earning his first CFL most outstanding player honour.
Fast-forward to this season and Burris – now leading the charge for the latest iteration of Ottawa's CFL team – is coming off a 2015 campaign that resulted in his second CFL all-star selection and CFL most outstanding player award. Despite having turned 40 years old.
But it's like Hunt never left. Except for the fact that the Ottawa Redblacks exist this time around, of course.
“He's a lot similar, shockingly. His physical traits still stand out,” said Hunt, who is coming off a sack in last week's East Division semifinal – the only one the Eskimos earned in three games against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats all year. “He's still able to run and throw the ball with some zip. He's able to make the out routes against the wind. You name it, he can do it. It doesn't matter how long he's been in this league or how old he is, he still looks like he's capable of carrying a team on his back.”
“I think it's his approach to the game, the way he prepares. His longevity, he's obviously kept his body in great shape and his mentality is go and get it when it comes to the field. So we have to be aware of all his ability and stay in our rushing lanes and plastered to our receivers when he does scramble out and be ready to put pressure on him.”
There are no rookies anymore at this point in the season.
Especially not one with 17 regular-season games under his belt like Kenny Ladler, who showed an ability to take his game to the next level in the playoffs with a late interception that led to the winning field goal in last week's East Division semifinal.
It stands as the biggest defensive play of the Edmonton Eskimos' season as they prepare for Sunday's East Division final against the Ottawa Redblacks (11 a.m., TSN, 630 CHED).
Still, it would have been nice for Ladler to enjoy that rookie designation for at least a little while.
While 2016 marked his inaugural CFL season, it's the two NFL games he dressed for as a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2014 that made him ineligible to become what otherwise would have been the shoe-in as Edmonton's nominee for most outstanding rookie.
