EDMONTON – The 1990s were a continuation of the dominance started in the 1970s and peaking in the 1980s.
The Green and Gold made the post season in every year of the decade, appearing in three Grey Cups but only winning once in 1993. The Esks won double-digit games in every season from 1990 to 1997, with 1999 being the only season the Double E finished with a sub .500 record.
Quarterbacks were once again at the forefront of the team’s success. Tracy Ham started the decade as the Esks pivot, recording three straight 30 passing touchdown seasons from 1990 to 1992 — including a team record 36 in 1990 that still remains to this day. The legendary dual-threat quarterback would be immediately succeeded by another in Hall of Famer Damon Allen, who made his return to the Green and Gold after four years playing in the East with Ottawa and Hamilton.
It was Allen who led the Esks to their only Grey Cup of the decade, with a 33-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Allen was named the game’s Grey Cup Most Outstanding Player, while fellow all-decade team member Sean Fleming was named the game’s Most Outstanding Canadian.
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COACH
Head Coach – Ron Lancaster
A Canadian Football League legend, Lancaster committed the better part of 35 years to the CFL as both a player and a coach. He captained the 1993 Edmonton Eskimos to a Grey Cup championship as one of his many accolades as a Canadian Football Hall of Famer.
OFFENCE
Quarterback – Tracy Ham
The dual threat QB is a CFL Hall of Famer, passing for four straight 30 touchdown seasons with the Green and Gold from 1989 to 1992.
Ham was the Esks most recent Most Outstanding Player winner after his sensational 1989 season. He still holds the Double E single-season records for passing touchdowns in a season (36) and rushing yards by a QB (1,096).
Running Back/Fullback – Blake Marshall
The bruising Canadian runner was a touchdown machine for Edmonton, recording three straight double digit rushing TD seasons from 1989 to 1991 – including an impressive 16 in 1991. His 20-total touchdown performance that year saw Marshall named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1991.
Running Back – Michael Soles
A 1993 Grey Cup champion, Soles was a versatile back for the Double E after being drafted fifth overall by the club in 1989. He wrapped up his CFL career with over 6500 all-purpose yards and 45 total touchdowns.
Wide Receiver – “Downtown” Eddie Brown
A two-time West Division All-Star, “Downtown” Eddie Brown began his Esks career with back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons, with 27 receiving touchdowns in those two years. He would finish his Canadian Football League career with over 8,600 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns.
Slotback – Darren Flutie
The younger brother of CFL legend Doug Flutie, the wide receiver became a legend in his own right over the course of 12 seasons in Canada. Flutie concluded his CFL career with nine 1,000-yard seasons, 14,341 receiving yards, and 66 touchdowns. In two years in Edmonton from 1996 to 1997, he had 2,675 receiving yards and 15 TDs.
Slotback – Craig Ellis
Playing both running back and slotback in his CFL career, Craig Ellis was an offensive weapon in his football career. Rushing for 2,095 yards and 30 TDs in his career was impressive, but the 7,757 receiving yards, 58 touchdowns, on 580 catches was even better.
In four years in Edmonton, Ellis caught 48 touchdown passes and had 5,069 receiving yards.
Wide Receiver – Jim Sandusky
A staple of the Double E in the 1990s, Sandusky played seven years in Edmonton from 1988 to 1996 (he had a two-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks in 1989-1990). Over the course of his CFL career, Sandusky caught 586passes for 9,737 yards, and 69 touchdowns.
Offensive Tackle – Blake Dermott
The local product spent his entire career in his hometown from 1983 to 1996. Dermott was a two-time Grey Cup champion and has played the fifth-most games in franchise history.
Offensive Tackle – Pierre Vercheval
A Canadian Football Hall of Famer, Vercheval was a six-time CFL All-Star over the course of his career.
Centre – Rod Connop
One of the best linemen to ever suit up for the Green and Gold, Connop was a six-time CFL All-Star, the 1989 CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman, and a three-time Grey Cup Champion. He was added to the team’s Wall of Honour in 2005 and has still holds the club record for games played (274).
Offensive Guard – Leo Groenewegen
The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman played 11 years in Edmonton and was named a CFL All-Star three times and holds the CFL record for most-consecutive starts by a non-kicker with 252.
Offensive Tackle – Chris Morris
Edmonton’s first-round pick in 1992, Morris spent his entire CFL career in the Green and Gold. He retired a three-time Grey Cup champion and is now the head coach of the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
DEFENCE
Defensive End – Malvin Hunter
An eight-year member of the Edmonton Eskimos, Hunter was a steady sack producer with 66 QB takedowns in his time in the Green and Gold. He also racked up 370 tackles and 11 fumble recoveries in his career, while winning the 1993 Grey Cup.
Defensive Tackle – Bennie Goods
A three-time CFL All-Star in the Green and Gold, Goods had four seasons where he recorded 10 or sacks on a season (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996). He finished his career with 82 sacks on 264 career tackles.
Defensive Tackle – Derek MacCready
The Canadian was drafted in both the CFL and the NFL, but spent his entire pro career up North. MacCready notched 38 sacks in his career, with nine of them coming with the Esks from 1996 to 1998.
Defensive End – Leroy Blugh
The long-time Canadian Football League star played 12 years as a pro, recording 77 sacks and 333 tackles in his Hall of Fame career. All but three of his 77 career sacks came as a member of the Esks.
Linebacker – Willie Pless
Known as “The Terminator”, Pless is among the best players to ever play in the CFL. A Canadian Football Hall of Famer, Pless holds several Double E defensive records, was a five-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive player, and 11-time CFL All-Star.
Linebacker – Larry Wruck
A long-time fan favourite, Wruck was a two-time Grey Cup champion. The Saskatoon native was also named the Esks Most Outstanding Canadian five times in his career.
Nickel Linebacker – Don Wilson
Another Canadian Football Hall of Famer, Wilson racked up 667 tackles, 61 interceptions, and eight touchdowns over the course of his CFL career. Wilson was a four-time CFL All-Star, winning tow Grey Cups in Canada.
Cornerback – Damion Lyons
Lyons was a solid player for the Green and Gold, recording an eight interception season in 1992 and 19 picks over his Canadian Football career.
Defensive Halfback – Robert Holland
Holland hauled in 19 interceptions over his five-year CFL career, with 14 of them coming in Edmonton. His son Jevon Holland is currently a star defensive back with the Miami Dolphins.
Defensive Halfback – Glenn Rogers Jr
Rogers Jr played five years in Edmonton and was named a CFL All-Star three times over that span.
Cornerback – Kavis Reed
Reed played his entire CFL career in Edmonton form 1995 to 1999, being named a CFL All-Star in 1997. His playing career was ended by a neck injury, but Reed went on to have a solid career as a coach and executive in the CFL.
Safety – Trent Brown
An eight-year member of the Green and Gold, Brown notched 350 total tackles in his career with 105 of them coming on special teams. In his retirement, Brown has become an accomplished lawyer and a valuable member of the Edmonton community.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker – Sean Fleming
A 16-year member of the Green and Gold, Fleming was kicking excellence over his CFL career. He holds the team records for points (2,571), field goals (553), converts (713) and more. He is a member of the EE Wall of Honour and a three-time Grey Cup champion.
Punter – Glen Harper
The Canadian played 13 season in the CFL as a punter and holder, winning the Grey Cup in Edmonton in 1993. He retired for five years, before returning to the league as a member of the Ottawa Renegades in 2002 and 2003.
Long Snapper – Blake Dermott
Kick Returner – Gizmo Williams
The greatest returner in the history of professional football, Giz joined the Green and Gold in 1986 and established a legacy that is still revered to this day. He holds nearly every major returning record in the CFL and his 26 punt return touchdowns is 11 more than anyone in history.
Special Teams – Jed Roberts
A 13-year member of the Edmonton Eskimos, Roberts racked up 163 special teams tackles and 22 sacks in the Green and Gold. He has become a fixture of the Edmonton community since his retirement in 2002.
