A gauntlet of running quarterbacks awaits the Saskatchewan Roughriders over the next five games.
During the first and final games of that period, the Roughriders will meet Vernon Adams Jr. and the BC Lions. Other quarterbacks the Roughriders will square off with over the next month include Saskatchewan’s Toronto Argonauts Chad Kelly, Ottawa REDBLACKS Dustin Crum, and Montreal Alouettes Cody Fajardo.
Adams has emerged as an early candidate for the league’s Most Outstanding Player award, largely because the former Oregon Duck has become a dual threat. Adams is first in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in Completion PCT. (71.5%) , second in the league in passing yards (1,540) and passing touchdowns (9).
The BC quarterback did have one game he would like to forget earlier this season against the Toronto Argonauts, where Adams Jr. threw six interceptions.
Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson is familiar with the quarterback from both perspectives of the sideline, Adams Jr. was with Saskatchewan in 2017, and Dickenson says the quarterback is a player you would rather have your side.
During his time with the green and white, Adams had three rushing touchdowns while he served as the short-yardage quarterback.
Dickenson felt the determination Adams displayed in the Lions lone loss of 2023 was a testament to his character.
“He was pushing the ball downfield, trying to make plays, trying to will his team to victory.”
Dickenson added that game against the Argonauts showed a never say die attitude.
On the ground, the BC starting quarterback has picked up 102 rushing yards with a touchdown as Dominique Davis handles the short-yard duties, as Davis has scored two touchdowns for the Lions.
Defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. will try and build off his efforts against the Stampeders last week, where his pressure on Stamps QB Jake Maier forced an interception. He said you have to be aware of potential running lanes with a quarterback like Adams.
“Cause you can’t let a guy like that get out cause there’s a lot of field when he’s running.”
On the backend of the Saskatchewan defence, Amari Henderson says the secondary has to keep their focus on covering the receivers even with a quarterback that can create some extra time with his feet.
“With a guy like that he’ll extend plays, so as DBs we got to make sure that we stay on our guys, so he doesn’t have any receivers down field to throw to, so we just have to stay on our guys and just play until the whistle is over.”
The Roughriders defence will be without a pair of their leaders for the second straight week. Defensive end Anthony Lanier (Leg) and Defensive Back Rolan Milligan (Back/Leg) are sidelined for another week.
Cox Jr. says Lanier has provided a helping hand despite being out of the lineup.
“He’s always giving me advice when I come to the sidelines, he’s pulling me aside, letting me know what he sees.”
Henderson says Milligan is a huge loss for the team’s secondary but is coaching up the rest of his teammates.
“He’s like another coach pretty much, he goes out there and sees things we might not see being on the field that he sees off the field.”
With mobile quarterbacks on the Roughriders defence the next five weeks, the green and white will try and stand their ground against their opposition.
Coverage for tomorrow’s matchup featuring the Roughriders and Lions on 620 CKRM begins with Countdown to Kickoff at 2:00, Rider Nation Pre-Game Show is at 4:00, with the opening kickoff at 5:00.
