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The Argos’ front applied consistent pressure on Vernon Adams Jr., sacking the Lions’ quarterback six times
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Published Jun 09, 2024 • Last updated 5 hours ago • 5 minute read
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B.C. Lions running back William Stanback (31) dives with the ball while being tackled by Toronto Argonauts defensive back Leonard Johnson (13) and linebacker Wynton McManis (48) during the first half Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
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They are the words that will remain unspoken, but ever-present: The G**y C*p.
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The B.C. Lions start the 2024 season with a big, silver carrot dangling in front of their faces — the chance to play in the CFL championship game in their own stadium in November.
It’s the same for every team, but when you’re the host team and one saddled with heavy pre-season expectations, that particular Daucus carota grows in size, stature and importance.
“We’ve literally got to do the one-game-at-a-time thing,” head coach Rick Campbell said on Friday.
“I know that sounds like a coach cliché, but it’s true for a reason. You just have to focus on what’s going on. All that stuff that’s happening with the ticket sales, the opening game and the Grey Cup, all that is fantastic and I don’t take that for granted at all. But our job on the field is to focus one week at a time, and try to get wins.”
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The Toronto Argonauts did their part by hammering that point home on Sunday night at BMO Field. The Chad Kelly-less Boatmen were touchdown underdogs at one point this week, but withstood a second-quarter surge, righted the ship and won 35-27.
A game that wasn’t supposed to be close was a one-point game in the fourth quarter, with the two teams exchanging the lead, and the Argos front applying consistent pressure on quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.
Adams was taken down under a tsunami of blue in the fourth quarter, with only a quick whistle saving him from a fumble and setting Toronto up on the B.C. two-yard line.
Toronto’s Cameron Dukes, in his first start of 2024 in place of the suspended Kelly, had 254 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing.
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The Lions couldn’t do enough to catch up from there, and head into their home opener next weekend without the Grey Cup on their mind.
Just a win would do.
B.C. Lions wide receiver Justin McInnis (18) receives a pass to score a touchdown during the first half Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
What was working
The pass game, when Adams wasn’t getting sacked, was on track for B.C.
Adams, who led the league in 300-yard games last year, started 2023 with a 363-yard showing. He completed 25-of-33 passes and had two touchdowns, while his lone interception came when the ball bounced off of Justin McInnis’s hands to DaShaun Amos.
He started 9-of-9 and hit Travis Fulgham and McInnis for touchdowns in a 20-point second quarter.
Adams showed inch-perfect touch late in the game, lofting a pass just inches away from a linebacker to convert a second and long, leading to a Sean Whyte field goal that put the Lions up by one.
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After the Argos responded with a field goal of their own, Adams hit Ayden Eberhardt on a 27-yard completion on a second-and-forever.
But he took the blame for the offence’s miscues, despite his numbers.
“Ultimately, I think our defence, special teams, offence — everybody — man they played good enough to win,” he said. “I just need to take care of the ball. At the end of the day, it was the same story (here in Toronto) last year — I need to take care of the ball as the quarterback of the team and put our defence in better situations. … Clean it up. Take care of the ball, execute our game plan. It’s a long season. I’m taking this one on the head. Just be better. Come to work this week and get right.”
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) throws the ball during the first half against the Toronto Argonauts in Toronto on Sunday. Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
What wasn’t working
The Leos’ offensive line was overmatched in their first game, with Adams getting sacked six times and being hurried and harassed on the rest of his drop backs, with few clean pockets to throw from.
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Prime example: Kent Perkins whiffing on blocking Folarin Orimolade on the final drive with the Lions threatening to tie the game, sitting at midfield, down by two with one minute left.
William Stanback, brought in for his downhill running, was caught in the backfield multiple times before he could develop any inertia. He finished with 35 yards on 11 carries.
It’s back to the pre-season drawing board for the offensive line, who need to figure out their protection and run packages moving forward.
“(There were) too many negative plays to overcome for us,” Campbell said after the game.
“We did some good stuff but you got to stay away from those negative plays, whether that’s turnovers or losing yards or whatever that is. … I like our team, but we definitely got work to do.
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“We’ve got to take care of (Adams) better. Too many hits on him tonight. We just need to be better at that. He’s a guy that competes and he’s going to battle all the way till the end, but we need to as a football team, take care of the ball better.”
Toronto Argonauts quarterback Cameron Dukes (11) throws the ball during first half CFL action against the B.C. Lions Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
What went wrong
The Lions waived Dakota Prukop in pre-season, the quarterback they’d brought in for short-yardage situations, with Adams getting the responsibilities during games.
A QB sneak just before half saw Adams fumble the ball — possibly feeling the effects of a hand that had been stepped on earlier in the half — and although the Lions recovered, they didn’t convert the third-and-inches.
The logic of using your MVP-calibre QB to do grunt work, especially when he’s been injured multiple times the last two years, was a decision that raised eyebrows in pre-season.
Campbell, when asked why Adams was the short-yardage option, said simply: “He’s really good at it.”
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That may be, but exposing him to more contact isn’t the answer.
B.C. Lions wide receiver Justin McInnis (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Toronto Argonauts Photo by Christopher Katsarov /The Canadian Press
Some bright spots
Travis Fulgham’s first CFL catch was a 50-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter. After the play, he sat down beside running mate Alex Hollins. Hollins’ first career reception also came against the Argos (in 2022), a touchdown as well.
Fulgham finished with 54 yards, Hollins with 90. McInnis was the leading receiver with 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
The two touchdowns came during a 20-point second quarter spike. The third score came after Josh Archibald sacked Dukes, and fourth-year DL Tibo Debaillie scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown — what’s believed to be the first for a Belgian player in CFL history.
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/argos-35-lions-27-tsunami-of-blue-swallows-up-leos-in-season-opener