A disaster.
That’s the best way to describe the B.C. Lions 36-9 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday night.
It was supposed to be a showdown for second place in the CFL’s Western Division.
Instead, it turned out to be a laugher as the Lions lost for the third time in four games.
So how does this team that started the season 5-1 get their mojo back?
Maybe by playing the quarterback who was at the helm for that early season success as head coach Rick Campbell announced after Monday’s practice that Vernon Adams Jr. will start against the Montreal Alouettes this Saturday at B.C. Place (4 p.m., CKNW 980, Sher E Punjab Radio 600, TSN).
Hopefully Adams Jr. can rise like the phoenix from the ashes and give this team a belief that they can win — something that has been lacking the last few weeks.
“We want to get him in there, see how it goes and get a change of energy. He’s obviously a very good player. We’ve got two guys that are starting quarterbacks and we will do whatever it takes that gives us the best chance,” said Campbell in naming Adams Jr. the starter in place of Nathan Rourke.
The game Saturday is meaningless in terms of the standings for both teams. The Als will no doubt rest some of their regulars as they get set to host the Eastern Final on Nov. 9 while the Lions have no such luxury despite knowing they will be travelling to either Regina or Winnipeg on Nov. 2 for the Western Semi-Final.
Campbell needs his team to win to regain some confidence heading into the playoffs and that means playing his regulars against the Als.
He really doesn’t have a choice.
The Lions are a fragile football team right now and having a quarterback in Rourke who is struggling to find his game isn’t helping. In his last four contests, Rourke hasn’t thrown for a touchdown pass with a high of 264 yards passing coming against Hamilton.
To be fair, Rourke hasn’t played that poorly considering he’s had to learn five different playbooks in the past year.He just hasn’t been the Nathan Rourke of 2022 when he put up video game numbers in the CFL.
And that’s the problem. Everyone is expecting Rourke circa 2022.
Rourke’s work ethic is second to none as he strives for perfection. Unfortunately, no one can be perfect.
Part of the issue is that expectations were so high — never mind the pressure of a contract that will see Rourke get paid More than $1.5 million in the next two years. Mistakes eat at him not only on a personal level but also one in which he feels he let the team down. Rourke admits he is his own worst critic and the ability to reset and refocus after not meeting his expectations has been a challenge.
“You want to stay in the present the best you can and stay in the moment, but it’s hard to ignore the success that I’ve had and that this team has had in previous years. You want to be able to hold yourself to that expectation and that standard but things have changed so it’s not necessarily realistic both for me as a player and for the team,” said Rourke.
Giving Adams the start against the Als will not only allow Rourke to reset but to give Adams some playing time and the opportunity to knock off some rust with the caveat being if Adams plays well and leads the Lions to a win, Campbell will probably ride the hot hand heading into the playoffs.
“If Vernon changes it up and we have a good energy going, we will roll with whatever gives us the best chance in the playoffs,” said Campbell.
If Adams doesn’t play up to par, then hopefully the reset allows Rourke to come back the next week feeling a little rejuvenated.
And let’s be perfectly clear.
There are plenty of issues that have plagued this team this season whether it be lack of red zone production or inconsistent play on the defensive side of the ball among others.
As Campbell noted, Adams Jr. cannot do this alone and it’s something that he acknowledged in addressing the team yesterday.
“I think it’s our football team as a whole — coaches and players. It’s offense, defense and special teams that are not playing well enough. It’s not a quarterback issue in my opinion but sometimes a change of energy can provide a spark. But I was very clear with our guys. If they think with Vernon coming in that it’s just going to suddenly change because of him, that’s not going to happen,” said Campbell.
As for Adams Jr., he’s looking forward to the opportunity – and to repay the faith that his teammates have had in him through this whole situation.
“It’s very motivational,” said Adams Jr. of his teammates support.
“This whole time they’ve been with me and telling me to keep my head up and stay locked in because you never know when your time comes. I just plan to come in and play good football this game. Hopefully we play good as a team and hopefully we go into the playoffs on a winning note,” he added.
OVERTIME
* Campbell has been through this two-quarterback scenario before with the Ottawa RedBlacks in 2016. Trevor Harris had come on in place of Henry Burris in Week 10 and played the next five games before Campbell made the switch back to Burris for the last four games of the season. Campbell would love for history to repeat itself with the Lions in 2024 as Ottawa went on to win the Grey Cup that year.
* Ironically enough, Adams Jr. and Harris had a nice conversation at the Lions hotel in Regina the night before the game in Saskatchewan. Harris and Adams Jr. played together in Montreal during the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Harris eventually taking over as the starter from Adams Jr. The Riders had a team function for some business clients at the hotel that night with head coach Corey Mace also showing up as part of the festivities.
* The Lions are hopeful that receiver Jevon Cottoy (ankle) can return to the lineup after missing the last two games. There is also hope that defensive back Adrian Greene (knee) can play against Montreal as well. Linebacker Patrice Rene (personal) should be back in the lineup Friday night. Rene and linebacker Maxime Rouyer are tied for the team lead in special teams tackles with 13.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob “the Moj” Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
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