Regardless of his future performance during the next season, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is already establishing himself as an important figure with the Montreal Alouettes. Better still, he is a proud ambassador.

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The 29-year-old American, with a smile, is quick to hand out a few autographs to fans during the team's current training camp in Trois-Rivières.

“It was the goal of the organization by coming here, we must expand our base of supporters, it is important to get involved, he mentioned, Saturday, in an interview. The Alouettes must be the entire Quebec football team.

One would think to hear the speech of President Mario Cecchini ...

A game next Saturday

Be that as it may, one week before the Alouettes' first preseason game, Adams Jr. says he feels very well at the camp taking place at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières stadium.

“We are working hard to refine our game,” he said, in view of the meeting on Saturday, May 28 against the Tiger-Cats, in Hamilton.

The break of a few days, due to the recent labor dispute in the Canadian Football League, has not caused the team too much delay, according to him.

“Fortunately, we have several veterans in the lineup and we are all working together to be ready,” added the quarterback.

Good words for Tyrrell Richards

Under the circumstances, Adams Jr. believes that the game scheduled for Hamilton will serve the Alouettes precisely to adjust certain details.

"For many guys, it will give a new perspective on the situation, we will take advantage of this game to learn even more," said the quarterback.

If Adams Jr. doesn't have to worry too much about his own fate, you should nevertheless know that several cuts could follow this preseason game against the Tiger-Cats next weekend.

Among rookies, however, the quarterback believes that linebacker Tyrrell Richards, whom the Alouettes selected first overall in the most recent draft, will not only carve out a place with the team, but that he could play a role there. important.

"He's impressed me a lot since the start of camp, he's quite an athlete," said Adams Jr., of the 23-year-old Ontarian who previously played in the NCAA for Syracuse University.

Exaltation

Obviously, general manager Danny Maciocia pulled off a masterstroke by completing a trade with the Edmonton Elks to secure the first overall pick. The Alouettes had thus ceded the fourth pick as well as the negotiating rights for offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell.

“We will get our hands on a very high quality player without having to pay a big price, proudly announced Maciocia, once the exchange was completed with the aim of selecting first. All of our scouts and coaches are elated.”

The selection of Richards followed and the excitement visibly won in turn Adams Jr.

- After next Saturday's preseason game in Hamilton, a second preseason game will follow on Friday, June 3 for the Alouettes in Montreal, then it will be a departure for Calgary for the start of the season, June 9, against the Stampeders.