It didn't take the people of Edmonton long to begin speculating as to why the Edmonton Eskimos released general manager Eric Tillman.
On Saturday, Edmonton Eskimos President and CEO Len Rhodes announced the club would be parting ways with Tillman, effective immediately. While Rhodes maintained there was "no specific reason" Tillman was fired, Edmontonians aren't holding back their opinions.
"He probably wrote his own ticket out of town, getting rid of Ricky Ray, and what was brought in for Ricky Ray," said Eskimos fan, Andy Doucet.
"I think obviously the Ricky Ray trade is one of the big ones. I think the Brody McNight trade was another one, where you give up a kicker for a first round selection that's going to be the third overall pick for really no reason," said Jason Gregor, host of The Jason Gregor Show on the TEAM 1260.
There's also the fact that Tillman didn't live in Edmonton full time, his family didn't live in the city at all, and some say that may have led to low morale amongst the team.
"I can't think of one other GM that does that and I think ultimately that caught up with him," said Gregor adding, "A lot of guys have homes elsewhere, cottages, what have you, and they're gone in the off-season but, during the actual season?"
But what about when it comes to filling Tillman's shoes?
"If we're looking at a future GM, my preference would be that the GM lives here in Edmonton," Rhodes said while addressing the media Saturday afternoon.
Gregor thinks Rhodes needs to bring in someone who understands the organization.
"I think if they bring anybody who's not within the organization, it'll be somebody who used to be part of it as a player."
Rhodes says he would like to find a replacement for Tillman by the end of December. When referring to head coach Kavis Reed, Rhodes says he has a tremendous amount of respect for him and would like to see him with the organization long-term.
Edmonton (7-11) finished its regular season Friday with a third straight loss, 30-27 to the Calgary Stampeders. The Eskimos qualified for the post-season on a cross-over berth and will take on the Toronto Argonauts in East Division semifinal.
Tillman joined the Eskimos in September 2010. Since then, the club has had back-to-back playoff appearances. In his 12 years as general manager with Edmonton, Saskatchewan, BC, Toronto and Ottawa, Tillman has four Grey Cup appearances with three wins.
With files from Slav Kornik.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.