Vernon Adams Jr. will begin for the Lions, with a totally wholesome knee, in opposition to the Stampeders on Friday because the Leos look to maintain their first-place hopes on life assist.
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The chance versus reward ratio is a fragile stability, one borne out of a private alternative that displays one’s physique of expertise. Somebody’s alternative could appear too aggressive, or too conservative, relying on one’s personal mindset.
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Using a bike. Leaping out of a wonderfully good airplane. Hitting on 16.
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Or beginning your quarterback in a sport that — and let’s be real looking right here — doesn’t have a ton of which means.
The B.C. Lions have made their very own resolution on their very own balancing act, weighing Vernon Adams Jr.’s knee vs. his wants, a long-shot probability at first place within the West vs. resting their starter, and chosen to expire their No. 1 quarterback in opposition to the Calgary Stampeders on Friday.
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Adams left final week’s sport after aggravating the knee damage that stored him out of two.9 video games this season, however was again at apply this week taking the first-team reps.
“He’s taking part in. He’s good to go. He’s wholesome and he’s not bodily compromised in any manner,” mentioned Leos head coach Rick Campbell. “We’re taking part in to win this sport. We wish to play effectively, one, for us. And two, we wish to put the ball in Winnipeg’s courtroom to win another sport.
“My mindset isn’t any totally different than final week. We went to Hamilton to win the sport … It’s the identical mindset; we’re simply making an attempt to go and win the sport. And if he’s wholesome and may do every part he must do, and he’s not at any bodily threat, then we’ll play him. If it was one thing else, we wouldn’t try this.”
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A win retains the ember burning on their divisional first-place hopes, with Winnipeg (11-4) having to lose each of its last two video games (versus Edmonton on Saturday, subsequent week vs. Calgary) for the Lions to leapfrog them into high spot.
The Lions (12-5) are nonetheless a great group with out Adams beneath centre. In each video games he went all the way down to the knee damage, Dane Evans stepped as much as lead the Leos to the win. First in opposition to Saskatchewan (19-9) in Week 7, and once more final week in Hamilton.
However can they be an ideal group with out their MOP candidate? They mopped the ground with Edmonton 27-0 in Week 8, with Evans throwing for 300-plus yards and two touchdowns, however the Elks have been nonetheless the group trapped mentally, spiritually and tactually within the throes of their traditionally unhealthy dropping streak.
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The following week in opposition to Winnipeg — an unquestioned nice group — B.C. went down exhausting, dropping 50-14, with a rib damage knocking Evans out of the sport by halftime. He had 113 yards and two picks on 12-of-21 passing. The Lions trailed 27-4 on the half, with three of their seven drives ending in turnovers, three extra in a punt and one a Sean Whyte discipline aim.
For Adams, that’s in the end why he desires to play Friday in opposition to Calgary.
He doesn’t wish to miss an opportunity to hone his sport in opposition to a resurgent defence that’s surrendered simply 15 factors per sport in its final three video games — even when the thought of constructing up the 357 yards passing wanted to hitch the uncommon Valhalla corridor of 5,000 yards did convey a twinkle to his eye when talked about.
“As a result of … I wish to play and I wish to have these reps. I don’t want two weeks to take a seat out. The sport’s vital to me,” he mentioned. “The reps, staying contemporary, mentally contemporary, in my reads, taking part in in opposition to a great group. We all know what the danger might be — however that’s something. It may be something in each day life. It’s not simply on the soccer discipline. So I’m not going to suppose like that; I’m considering all optimistic. Simply making an attempt to return out right here and assist my group get a win and end the season off proper.
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“Our mindset is we’re getting ready like we’re taking part in on Nov. 4 (within the West semifinal),” he mentioned after apply Thursday. “We’ve got to deal with tomorrow first. We’ll have a bye week after that after which every part (may have) settled itself out. Winnipeg’s a great group, we don’t count on them to lose … We received to present them our greatest shot. We’ve received to finish the season off proper in entrance of our dwelling crowd and that’s our plan.”
The Lions are the primary group to conclude their common season, with a bye subsequent week and an opportunity to get all their gamers rested and wholesome for the playoffs.
Taquan Mizzell will give solution to newcomer JaQuan Hardy within the backfield once more, whereas defensive backs Adrian Inexperienced and Jalon Edwards-Cooper will each miss Friday’s sport to accidents. And receiver Keon Hatcher and offensive lineman Chris Schleuger are each questionable for the competition.
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“We talked about let’s do the common season and get that completed. Let’s attempt to get this factor to 13 wins. That’s actually the place our mindset is correct now,” mentioned Campbell. “We don’t management every part, however we will management get to 13 wins and I’d be super-proud of the blokes … to get to 13 wins in a season is fairly particular. That’s what we’re gunning for.
“Initially, I used to be combined about (the ultimate week bye). Typically it’s kinda like, ‘Do you really need that?’ However I feel it’s truly a great factor. And I feel it’s good for the blokes proper now. Assume it’ll be a great finish to the season, get some relaxation after which go for it.”
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