Something else that will not be happening in the wake of the abruptly concluded season -- organizational second-guessing over the mid-season dismissal of offensive co-ordinator Rick Worman and the installation of Kevin Strasser.

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Eskimos, from left, Justin Cooper, Jerome Haywood and Greg Peach chat after cleaning out their lockers at Commonwealth Stadium on Monday.

Photograph by : Ed Kaiser, The Journal

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Neither Maciocia nor Hall had any regrets when that risky decision was made the day after Labour Day and neither has expressed any doubt since then, including Monday.

For his part, Strasser is already looking forward to training camp next year.

"There is no doubt in my mind that we have almost everything we need, no question we do have a foundation in place that's going to be exciting," Strasser said.

He acknowledged it had been a "weird, strange, wild ride" these last couple of months, but believes, under the circumstances, the offence had achieved real success, become comfortable with the scheme, excited about the possibilities.

"Of course, when you look at if from an outside point of view, real success might be overstating it, but from us, in this locker-room, we showed glimpses of being a dangerous, dangerous team."

Strasser said he was able to implement 60 or 65 per cent of the offence he envisions for next year. One tweak he can foresee is using third-string quarterback Jared Zabransky in certain situations.

"When you think about Zabransky, there's some talent in his body that it would be a shame to waste, whether he comes in on short-yardage packages or wildcat packages, or whatever it is.

"Ricky's the guy, there's no doubt in my mind that is the case, but I want to use as much talent as we have on the sidelines."

Clearly, Hall will be back on the sidelines, having endured as weird and wild a ride as any rookie head coach would care to undertake.

"I thought he did an outstanding job," Maciocia said. "When you take a look at the big picture, we finished three points out of first or second place.

"If you think about it, how many games can you make an argument that we gave away? So, there's a lot of positives.

"We've just got to build off it. There is a sense of excitement. We think we've taken a positive step forward."

jmackinnon@thejournal.canwest.com Check out my blog, Sweatsox, at edmontonjournal.com/blogs