Quick Slants: Jean Football, Adams Friend Zoned, and More
Published: Thursday, Jul 26th 2018, 4:07am
by: Greg McCulloch (@GregOnSports)
Quick Slants looks at some of the weekly stories in the CFL and beyond.
Jean Football
I’ll try to keep the gushing of Johnny Manziel to the Montreal Alouettes to a minimum, but I can’t help myself. I know there are several people getting sick of his name, but he sells to the casual fan, and it is only going to move the needle more once he plays.
We are a few days away from Montreal Alouette highlights on ESPN south of the border. Manziel has already been pencilled in to see some snaps this week and should be the starter next week when the Alouettes play the Ti-Cats.
As we discussed on Piffles Podcast Episode 85, other than selling tickets this isn’t a strong long-term move by the Alouettes. Manziel’s goal is to play his way back to an NFL shot, and if he is good he is gone south. If he sucks and doesn’t go south you have a Quarterback that sucks and you are no further ahead.
Kavis Reed, you keep doing you.
#Consequences
Vernon Adams: Football Friend Zoned
Poor Vernon Adams.
The guys can’t buy a break, he was poised to be a big deal when BC traded his rights to Montreal for the first overall pick. He was going to be Jim Popp’s new star, something they were missing since the days of Anthony Calvillo. They were going to ease him into the game to protect him and it looked like they were doing the right thing, as he started the last 3 games of the 2016 season and won all 3.
But Popp got fired and the Alouettes promoted their under qualified Special Teams Coordinator to General Manager, the previously mentioned Kavis Reed.
Reed made a big splash trading for Darian Durant and then after winning an emotional terribly played season opener the Alouettes ended up losing 5 in a row and traded Adams to Saskatchewan. Who was third string behind Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge and only got in on short yardage.
Then he got traded to Hamilton, was third behind Masoli and Manziel, tried to be converted to receiver, got released and now is back starting at QB this week with the Alouettes.
Since October 22, 2016, when Adams got his first start, the Alouettes have won 7 games, and he has 3 of those wins. If he wants to keep the job he should never have lost he will have to play perfectly on Thursday.
If not, he will be back on the bench wondering what else he must do, because apparently winning every game he has ever started in the CFL doesn’t mean a thing.
Oh Right, This Is A Rider Site.
The Riders are going to have their toughest challenge of the season as they are getting their first taste of a Western opponent with Calgary in town Saturday.
The Riders defence will have a real test in a healthy Bo Levi Mitchell and his great compliment of receivers. Throw in the leagues second leading rusher in Don Jackson, the Stamps have a balanced attack that is going to have the Riders defence on their toes.
The Riders offence has been lacking this season and going against a team that has allowed 9 points per game, points will be at a premium and might have to come off the leg of Brett Lauther. While Brandon Bridge looked better in the second half, the Riders are going to have to stretch the field to keep the defence honest and get Bridge time to make plays.
That said I called a tight game where the Riders win, and Calgary’s first loss of 2018, and I am sticking with it.
If you're having trouble subscribing, subscribe here instead.
