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Features December 6, 2024

‘Blessed To Be In A Great Organization’

A warm welcome.

Following a trade sending him east of the Rocky Mountains, Vernon Adams Jr. arrived in Calgary for the first time as a Stampeder on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old quarterback spent time taking in his new surroundings, touring the home side locker-room at McMahon Stadium for the first time and acquainting himself with coaches, staff and local media.

“I’m taking pictures like it’s the first day of school,” Adams remarked. “I’m excited to be here.”

Renowned across the CFL as a ‘quarterback factory’ due to their knack for finding and developing their own pivots including, but not limited to, Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson, and Henry Burris, the Adams trade marks the first time the Stamps have actively sought out a QB since trading for Kevin Glenn in January of 2012, who at the time was intended to provide a veteran presence for starting quarterback Drew Tate and backups Brad Sinopoli and Bo Levi Mitchell.

Adams recognizes the winning foundation that Hufnagel, Dickenson and Co. have built in Calgary – a foundation that has trickled across the CFL in present day.

‘Big-Play V.A.’ is confident he can help steer the Stampeders back on track following the organization’s 5-12-1 performance in 2024.

“The team is good here; the system is good,” Adams explained. “You see (Argonauts head coach) Ryan Dinwiddie and (Roughriders head coach) Corey Mace and those teams being successful over there, that’s still a little bit of the Calgary system.

“Now we come here, and we spice it up a little bit, bring in a few more players and have the players we (already) have here be on the same page and let’s get back on track.”

The MOP-calibre passer declares himself a fan of the Stampeder offence and now finds himself inserted in a system he’s admired from afar.

“Watching film and watching Calgary’s offence, I’ve always liked what they’ve done and now we can add a few things here and there and have some fun with it,” he admitted.

The Eastern Washington alum informed he’s already reached out to the receivers and some of the offensive linemen and is looking forward to collaborating with offensive coordinator Pat DelMonaco throughout the off-season.

In preparation for the 2025 campaign, Adams informed he’ll be hosting a mini-camp in his home of Tacoma, Wash. – an initiative he started in Montreal – to create team chemistry and build strong relationships with the offence.

“It takes a village in this league to play good winning football and we’re going to push each other, hold each other accountable and try to be the best group in the league,” he said.
“I want guys here pushing me so I can be the best version of myself for this organization.”

As part of his Cowtown initiation, the Calgary Flames welcomed Adams to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday evening.

Joining him at the ’Dome were Dave Dickenson, Pat DelMonaco, assistant general manager Brendan Mahoney, as well as receivers Malik Henry, Marken Michel, Jalen Philpot and kicker Rene Paredes.

The crew were introduced to the crowd and Harvey the Hound gifted V.A. with his first Flames jersey.

“The love and support I’ve received since the trade has been amazing,” Adams shared with Flames TV host Brendan Parker during the first-period intermission. “These fans are passionate and I’m glad to be here.

“Each year I’m growing more and more, getting better and better. I want to play smarter as I’m getting older and the one thing I’m missing is that championship so I think we have the team to do it here.

“We’ll go through free agency, training camp and then we’ll start building and finding that identity.”

“I’m trying to get to know these guys on a personal level, so when we are out there together (on the field) we’re fighting for each other, and we know we have each other’s backs.”