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http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Family+comes+first+Eskimos+Strasser/3261534/story.html?cid=megadrop_story

EDMONTON - Kevin Strasser is attempting not to let losses linger, so after the Edmonton Eskimos' sluggish 25-10 defeat to the B.C. Lions last Sunday, the team's offensive co-ordinator headed home to his west-side condominium, his confidence unshaken, but his mind definitely stirred.

"Thank God that my wife is in town," Strasser said of his bride Jeannette, who is seven months pregnant with twin boys.
Jeannette just recently arrived in Edmonton, having been driven up by her parents from the Strassers' off-season home in Portland, Ore. Together the four went out for a meal to help ease the pain of the inaugural 2010 Canadian Football League season loss -- a stinger to be sure.

"You know, that was a tough one for me to put away," admitted Strasser. "That loss was almost more frustrating than any of my three Grey Cup losses that I've been in. It really stuck with me because I really felt the expectations were there, that we were ready to be a lot better than we were."

Following the chaos of the defeat, in which Strasser's unit struggled mightily, the second-year OC -- who was employed in Edmonton as a receivers coach in 2000-01 and receivers coach and OC in Montreal with the Alouettes from 2002-06 before heading south to Portland State -- got into his vehicle and pointed it west out of the Commonwealth Stadium parking lot.

"I immediately went home, surrounded myself with loved ones, went out and had a meal because I was starving, and talked about anything except football for a few minutes. I focused on our doctors appointments and the babies," the 39-year-old coach said.

"I also gave my brothers a call because they have always been a source of support for me as well, and I listened to what they had to say."

Not that he needs to be told by his siblings Richard and David.

"They are my heroes, though," said Strasser.

"My mother and father are divorced, but overall we're still all tight. They've both (mom and dad) been there with unconditional love and support. It's been easy being raised in the Strasser family."

It's a trait he plans to carry through to his own clan in September, when the twins arrive, an event he awaits anxiously.

"I'm incredibly excited," said Strasser, his mind briefly escaping the football field, where he wears his emotions on his sleeve.

"We've been wanting kids for a while. We feel so blessed to be having them. I'm so excited becoming a father, it's ridiculous."

He carries that same enthusiasm to the football field every day. It hasn't always translated into success, but it isn't from a lack of trying or hard work. Strasser, like all other Eskimos coaches, spends endless hours studying film, breaking down games and preparing for the next opponent.

The 25-10 loss still wore on him Friday afternoon, mostly because he was shocked by his team's reaction, a lack of mental toughness after failing to score early on an opportunity on the Lions one-yard line. It was almost a "here-we-go-again moment," a sign of fragility, he said.

"That was most disappointing to me," admitted Strasser. "There was some frustration there and the fellas just didn't let it go. It was surprising to me in that I thought we were taking care of our tempo and understanding in camp that, 'Hey, there are times when we're going to have to punt the ball.'

"We come off (the field), make the correction and get back out there and get after them. We're trying to set a mindset of being a (hungry) dog on every play and, apparently, we didn't do a good enough job on that, because we seemed to lack it that first game."

It started with a patchwork offensive line that sorely missed centre Aaron Fiacconi, who is back in for this Sunday's 5 p.m. start against the Alouettes.

"We have to protect the quarterback better, giving up five sacks," said Strasser, shaking his head.

The Esks also need better first-down production.

"One of the things is, we all have to make sure we're on the same page and I think everything starts up front," agreed head coach Richie Hall. "One of the things we weren't happy with was pass protection. It seemed like everyone took their turns, as far as the breakdown.

"Just concentrate and focus on your job. Worry about taking care of your responsibility and making sure upstairs (mentally). We need to be more physical up front. When we were successful last year we were physical, all around, not just on run blocking. In your whole demeanour," stressed Hall.

So it was back to the grind for Strasser, getting after it on Monday morning, going through film after a quiet evening with family.  A silence that will be broken come September with the arrival of the twins, likely earlier than the Sept. 25 due date.

"We're having the babies here in Canada, setting all that up to get ready," said a proud Strasser. "My wife and faith come first, but football is also a priority right now. That's just what it is and my family understands the situation.

"I'm putting in the necessary hours," he said. "I'm not just in the office to guard my desk. If I have work, I'm going to work, and if I can get out and feel good about it, then I head home."

Where he can escape work, at least for a while.


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