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“Those things help when it comes to free agency or recruiting a guy. Even for rookies coming up, they see the locker-room, they see the stadium, they see our meeting rooms and they feel like they’re playing big time football. And they are. I’m hoping those things will help us retain guys and have more continuity than we’ve had in some of the places I’ve worked.”

Having most of his staff hired and here this week is beyond creating a media availability.

“It’s a key component to get the head coach and the majority of the coaching staff in play,” said general manager Brock Sunderland. “We’re a little behind and needed to get together and watch film collaboratively to get their thoughts on our current roster headed into free agency.”

Milanovich has already watched enough film to know that despite the Eskimos missing the playoffs two years ago and going East as the crossover playoff team this past season to believe he can succeed here.

“I like what I see. We’re a couple of pieces away and we’re still figuring that out but I think we have a good nucleus on defence. We can rush the passer. That’s where it starts for me, defensively. We have some linebackers with experience that had some injuries later in the season that probably hurt us.

“On offence, obviously I know Trevor Harris and what he brings at quarterback. On the offensive line we’re solid. We have good running backs. Our receivers are solid. There are some things I want to do that we’re going to have to tweak. I think we’re in good shape for Jan. 15.

“But I’m not going to make any grand statements about who we’re going to be because I don’t know that yet.

“I think we have a good staff. I think we have the beginnings of a really good roster. I expect to compete right away. I don’t see this as a rebuild.

“I won’t talk about this with the players other than on the first day but my goal every year is going to be to win the Grey Cup. There is no secondary goal.”

E-mail: tjones@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @ByTerryJones