Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
What were the Montreal Alouettes thinking when they traded their first round pick for Vernon Adams Jr.?
We’re about to find out. It’s one of the most anticipated quarterback debuts in quite a while.
The trade between Montreal and BC raised a lot of eyebrows. It was also a very transparent trade to say the least. The Alouettes are looking for Adams to answer a question no quarterback has been able to for three seasons: Who will replace Anthony Calvillo?
Josh Neiswander, Tanner Marsh, Troy Smith, Jonathan Crompton, Alex Brink, Dan LeFevour, Alex Boone, Brandon Bridge, Rakeem Cato and Kevin Glenn are the 10 quarterbacks who have lined up behind centre for the Als trying to hammer down the number one spot.
Vernon Adams Jr. is either going to be a sound investment in a trade that could cost them the No. 1 overall pick in the draft or be name 11 on an ever-expanding list of quarterbacks that couldn’t solve the biggest issue that has hampered Montreal during its post-AC swoon.
Vernon Adams Jr. makes his highly-anticipated debut this weekend (MontrealAlouettes.com)
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It’s not like Adams hasn’t had that pressure before, transferring to Oregon and becoming the heir to the QB spot left open by Marcus Mariota’s ascension to the NFL.
Saturday in Saskatchewan, Adams makes his first impression.
Yes, we saw a brief appearance earlier this season, but over two months later Adams has had a lot more time to learn the Canadian game and the many nuances that have caused other quarterbacks grief.
The talk about Adams has been grand — his former collegiate coach, who also coached Bo Levi Mitchell, Mike Reilly and Matt Nichols, saying Adams may be the most talented.
How can Alouette fans and CFL fans not take notice?
However, with that comes some extreme expectation. And those expectations have been piling up higher and higher since Lion fans were excited they signed this young collegiate phenom.
There is no way he’ll meet those expectations in his first start with the circumstances around the team this week the way they are.
Big name receivers are out; new guys are being worked in and add to that the head coach has changed just three weeks ago.
We shouldn’t expect Adams to step onto Taylor Field turf in Regina and light it up.
So what am I looking for? Calm, cool, collected.
Those are three keys a great quarterback needs and they are traits you can see early in a quarterback’s career.
Adams scans the field during a game with Oregon (Eric Evans/Oregon Ducks)
Last week, Rakeem Cato didn’t look like any of those things. Yes, the pressure was constant, but he was diving into the turf to avoid getting hit, taking the sack.
It’s the reason that Adams is getting his chance. Cato doesn’t seem to be getting better with more game reps.
Being able to stay patient in the pocket, find some room and keep your eyes down field is imperative and it’s a quality many say Adams has shown in college. But CFL fans aren’t going to be fooled by those gaudy university plaudits.
We’ve heard it before and we’ve long since forgotten the names of many quarterbacks who haven’t been able to match the hype.
Adams will likely get as much as defensive guru Chris Jones can throw at him. Oh, have I not yet mentioned he’ll be facing one of the most improved defenses led by the most heralded defensive coordinator in the league?
Yeah, it’s not like he had enough stacked against him.
Some leadership qualities will also be nice to see. If things go bad, will he pout, throw a helmet and show extreme frustration, or will he calmly look at the iPad, reload, talk to his coach and head back in there?
As for Alouette fans: All they are looking for is hope. A few decent scoring drives and a few impressive throws may be enough for them to give Adams a passing grade in his first career start.
They’ll also have in the back of their minds the first round pick they gave up for him.
No pressure, kid. You’re just being asked to be the heir to a throne left open by the Hall of Fame quarterback you call ‘Coach’.
And I can’t wait to watch how this plays out.
