ADEKOLU AIMS HIGH
Canadian covets spot with Als
The Alouettes have enough flexibility on defence to start five American receivers, if necessary, as they did in last week’s exhibition game at Ottawa.
But at some point, a non-import receiver will figure into the mix. Stephen Adekolu wants it to be him, and with the Als banged up at the position, believes the odds might finally be stacked in his favour.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder has been practising with the starting offence through much of training camp, especially with George Johnson sidelined with a knee injury. As well, Adekolu, a native of Brampton, Ont., began his Canadian Football League career with the British Columbia Lions, working closely with Khari Jones, now Montreal’s offensive co-ordinator.
“I planned all off-season to come in and win a spot. I know Khari’s playbook like the back of my hand,” the 29-year-old said after Thursday’s practice. “I know all the alignments and how I wanted to run my routes.
“I want to show I can catch the tough pass ... make sure I come down with it and that I’m a consistent target for the quarterbacks. Knowing my plays will be huge.”
Adekolu, who played collegiately at Bishop’s University, originally caught the eyes of pro scouts at Duane Forde’s national invitational combine in 2013. That, in turn, led the prospect to the league’s regional combine. But he suffered a hamstring injury, went undrafted and returned to the Gaiters for his final year of eligibility.
“Given his size and athletic ability, Stephen was a guy I felt should have been going to the main combine,” said Forde, a CFL analyst at TSN. “Sometimes when guys play in college programs that don’t have winning records and aren’t perennial powerhouses, as a result, they don’t get as much exposure. It can become easy for those guys to fall through the cracks.
“He’s probably an example of one of those guys.”
But Adekolu had a breakout season in 2013 with Bishop’s, catching 28 passes for 542 yards while scoring six touchdowns. He signed with the Lions as a free agent in February 2014 and dressed for 42 games — he caught three passes for 42 yards — before being released.
Adekolu signed with the Als, depleted by injuries to their Canadians, last August, dressing for five games. He failed to catch a pass.
Nonetheless, new Montreal head coach Mike Sherman said he has been impressed by Adekolu as the Als, on Friday, prepare for their last training-camp workout prior to Saturday afternoon’s final exhibition game at home against Hamilton.
“He has had a good camp,” Sherman stated. “He has been pretty consistent. If you’re a receiver, you have to be consistent and catch the ball when it’s thrown to you. You have to do it often.
“He’s jumped out at us because of his consistency. He comes to work every day and gives us everything he has.
“I think the quarterbacks and receivers feel he’s part of the group and they can trust him. He’s going to give them his very best.”
Adekolu understands that knowing the playbook is paramount. He considers himself a well-rounded receiver who can make the big play, occupying the safety in the process.
“I take pride in every ball that comes my way, no matter if it’s too high or low, that I come up with it in the game,” said Adekolu, the Als’ nominee last season for the Tom Pate award, presented annually to a player for his contributions to the community. Adekolu, who majored in business and drama at Bishop’s, is an ambassador for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Peel region.
Forde, for one, believes he’s ready to take the next step in his CFL career.
“He’s had to have perseverance to get to this point. He’s never had an opportunity handed to him,” Forde said. “He’s had to work at it. He’s been a backup his whole career, a bubble guy on rosters. He’s stayed at it long enough, worked at it and positioned himself to maybe be in the running for a bigger opportunity.”
Meanwhile, though Sherman still hasn’t declared Drew Willy to be the Als’ starting quarterback this season, the veteran will start at quarterback against the Tiger-Cats. And he’s expected to play more than the two series he received against Ottawa.
Matt Shiltz, if healthy, will replace him against Hamilton, although Shiltz is being bothered by a muscular issue in his back.
“You play it by ear. He might play the half or even into the second half for a series,” Sherman said of Willy. “It depends on the number of throws and his success rate ... how many times he’s been contacted by the defensive line. You make a decision based on that.” Notes: Veteran rush-end John Bowman has what’s considered a minor tweak to his knee and ankle and visited a team doctor on Thursday . ... Receiver B.J. Cunningham practised, but has sore ribs and won’t dress against Hamilton . ... Defensive-back Khalid Wooten, who played for the Als in 2016, has been released . ... The coaching staff has yet to determine whether veteran linebacker Chip Cox, who only returned on Tuesday, will dress this weekend.