The CFL is a quarterback-driven league. When Vernon Adams Jr. is on his game, he’s one of the best in the league. Unfortunately, Adams hasn’t been at his best of late – and it has hurt the team in the standings. Adams knows it’s time for the offence to start helping the defence. “I’ve got them on the field way too much for us to be successful,” he said. “Getting first downs and converting on second down – we need yards on first, and if we can flip the field and at least get three (points), if not seven – you know we want seven but we’ve got to help our offence out.” Not all Adam’s fault Against the Elks on Saturday, head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson pulled his star quarterback in the third quarter. The offence just wasn’t getting anything done, but Dickenson says it’s not just on one player. “All of us have to do better and find a way to keep our offence on the field,” he said. “That’s the main thing; we’ve been getting too many two and outs and we’ve been off the field too much and our defence just wears out. As an offence and as a group, let’s get some first downs. You don’t have to score every play, but let’s get some first downs and change field position and win.” Embarrassing loss The loss against the Elks was a tough pill to swallow. The Stamps fell to their provincial rival 53-16. “I was just telling the guys to commit,” Adams said Tuesday. “Commit to being one per cent better.” “Miles Brown (defensive lineman) said it really well after the game. ‘Be better in our preparation, in our diets and just everything we do; just be better. One per cent better.’ And that’s all we can do right now.” Time is running out The Stamps have just five games left in the regular season. They’re in last place in the West and may need to win out just to have a chance to make the playoffs. Linebacker Derrick Moncrief knows how crucial the stretch is and it all starts on Saturday against the winless Ottawa Redblacks. “The guys that have been playing a long time have got to make plays and lead by example,” he said. “Everyone has to have a sense of urgency right now. That’s what it is for us and just try to be 1-0.” Kickoff for Saturday’s game is a little after 5 p.m. at McMahon Stadium.
