Vernon Adams Jr. will get the possibility to ship some payback when the Calgary Stampeders host the BC Lions on Friday night time.
Adams established profession highs of 4,769 yards and 31 touchdowns for BC in 2023. He was having fun with one other massive season final yr earlier than sustaining a knee harm on Aug. 1 in opposition to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
That opened the door for Nathan Rourke, who threw extra interceptions (9) than touchdowns (4) final season. However after the marketing campaign, the Lions determined to maneuver ahead with Rourke and Adams was traded to Calgary.
“It is going to be an ideal alternative,” Adams stated of taking part in in opposition to the Lions. “I am excited. It is all the time enjoyable to play your former workforce.”
Adams indicated he is not holding a grudge and stated he has no exhausting emotions in opposition to BC.
“In no way,” Adams stated. “I am 12 months 10 of my CFL profession. Simply making an attempt to play an excellent recreation. … Play one among my finest video games, hopefully.”
Adams has handed for two,826 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 video games this season for Calgary (8-4), which is coming off a bye.
Rourke stated he is glad his former teammate has discovered a spot the place he can thrive.
“I have been tremendous blissful for him,” Rourke stated. “He is having an ideal yr. He appears very snug in that offense.”
Rourke has flourished this season and has thrown for a career-high 3,604 yards, together with eight 300-yard outings. He has 20 landing passes — 5 shy of his profession finest — and has been intercepted 9 occasions for the Lions (6-7).
BC has scored 30 or extra factors in six straight video games. Receiver Keon Hatcher leads the league with 71 receptions and 1,170 yards. James Butler Jr. leads the CFL in speeding with 989 yards.
Relaxation assured Adams does not need to see a lot of Lions star defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, who’s tied for the CFL lead with eight sacks.
Betts recorded 4 sacks in final week’s 38-27 victory over Ottawa. It was essentially the most sacks by a BC participant since Cameron Wake recorded 4 in 2008. Wake moved on to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins after that season.
Total, BC had seven sacks within the win over Ottawa.
“It is two consecutive weeks on the D-line that we now have had a extremely good recreation as a unit,” Betts stated. “So, I really feel that if we do this going ahead, all people shall be fairly pleased with the outcome for us. Additionally helps the workforce win.”
That is the primary assembly between the Lions and Stampeders. The groups meet once more Oct. 4 in Vancouver.
–Subject Degree Media