B.C. Lions: Receiver Keon Hatcher believes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. doesn't get his due throughout CFL

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Keon Hatcher excels at catching Vernon Adams Jr. passes, and on Monday confirmed a flair for tossing just a little admiration his manner as properly.

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After the B.C. Lions wrapped up their preparation for the day for Saturday’s CFL West Division ultimate in opposition to the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers, receiver Hatcher overtly puzzled whether or not quarterback Adams will get the eye he absolutely deserves throughout the league.

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Adams is coming off probably the greatest video games of his seven-year CFL profession in B.C.’s 41-30 win Saturday over the Calgary Stampeders within the West Division semifinal at B.C. Place, due to going 28-of-39 for 413 yards and two touchdowns whereas additionally scoring three TDs operating the ball as a part of a seven-carry, 54 yard speeding day.

Hatcher was a favorite goal, with 9 catches for 195 yards and one landing. Jevon Cottoy had six catches for 63 yards and one main.

Saturday adopted Adams main the league in passing yardage (4,769) and ending second in passing touchdowns (31) through the common season.

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Zach Collaros, who will likely be his counterpart Saturday with the Bombers, was tops in landing tosses (33) and was second in yardage (4,263).

And Winnipeg operating again Brady Oliveira beat out the likes of Adams for the West Division Most Excellent Participant nominee after main the league in speeding yardage (1,534). Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly is the East nominee.

“Individuals ought to perceive extra about him now. They undoubtedly ought to,” Hatcher mentioned of Adams. “They’ve been sleeping on him all yr. Why? I don’t know. He’s main in each stat at his place. It doesn’t make sense. You might be main in each class and also you’re not promoted as one of many high guys? We end the job, they usually’ll know. They’ll know.”

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Adams spearheaded the Lions rallying from a 41-16 loss to the Stamps at B.C. Place of their regular-season finale two weeks earlier and from Calgary scoring a mere three performs into Saturday’s first drive. Adams was 6-of-8 for 131 yards when it got here to mid-range passes of 10-to-19 yards, in line with CFL statistics guru Steve Daniel, which reveals how exact he was Saturday.

He set a staff report for passing yardage in a playoff recreation, bettering the earlier mark of 375 set by Roy Dewalt in 1983.

“I used to be actually excited for him. He was so correct and making the fitting reads. And when he runs like that he provides gas to the hearth,” Lions head coach Rick Campbell mentioned of Adams. “And he ran for a objective and a purpose and never simply to do it.

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“Good for him. He does all the fitting issues. He works so onerous. And at the moment he’s not searching for pats to the again. He’s onto the following one.”

B.C. staff didn’t panic and stayed on process when Calgary raced down the sphere on the opening drive Saturday. The Lions had two weeks to listen to within the media about their struggles in that Calgary regular-season recreation since B.C. had a bye for the ultimate week of league play. Additionally they had the stress of making an attempt to interact a crowd of 30,149 on Saturday.

Campbell praised his management group, explaining: “I feel we’re rising … we’re simply extra mature and we’ve had extra experiences,” and included veteran receiver Fortunate Whitehead as being a part of that group.

Whitehead has been a focus for the Lions’ offence up to now couple of seasons. He’s been much less so this yr. He didn’t begin in opposition to Calgary, as Campbell opted to go along with Justin McInnis as a substitute. When TV cameras panned to the B.C. sidelines, they repeatedly picked up Whitehead supporting teammates, repeatedly noticed him along with his megawatt smile.

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“It’s a really onerous spot for a man to be in and he’s been a staff man all the best way. I do know our guys have a ton of respect for that. He’s an enormous a part of this staff,” Campbell mentioned. “It’s the crystal clear message concerning the staff profitable and the staff profitable in playoff video games. That’s what all of us try to do — win video games because the B.C. Lions.”

Linebacker Ben Hladik (undisclosed), who received damage when he received tousled with defensive again Garry Peters on what turned a Peters’ interception Saturday, didn’t practise with the staff Monday. Campbell listed him as uncertain to face Winnipeg.

“He’s not been dominated out, which is de facto excellent news. In my thoughts I’m not relying on him however they (medical employees) mentioned to provide it a day or two,” Campbell mentioned.

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