The overwhelming belief is that with Jeremiah Masoli injured on what looks to be a very dirty hit, that the next man up should be 2021’s starting quarterback. The starter in 2021 was Caleb Evans, the 6’2 210 lb former Louisiana-Monroe quarterback. However having played in 8 games last season and having mixed results (5 TDS, 9 ints, 3 rushing TDS), maybe they should instead look to Tyrie Adams.

More of the Same

After Masoli exited the game, Evans did enter the game but didn’t play very well in limited snaps. His stat line was 2 of 6 for 58 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 2 carries 1 yard 0 touchdowns. With that being said why not give Tyrie Adams a chance to see what he is capable of?

At 6’2 185 lbs, Tyrie Adams is an extremely mobile quarterback who rushed for over 1,000 yards during his junior season of college. He was a four-year starter at Division I Western Carolina. Where he put up 11,535 all-purpose yards, averaging 261.9 yards per game.

For those thinking they’re getting a thin, quarterback relying on his mobility to succeed, Adams showcased his accuracy completing over 60% of his passes all four years of college. He would graduate with a 63% completion rate over 44  career games while accumulating a 2 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio along the way.

Next Level Athlete at QB

During his college career, Adams totaled 2,557 yards of offense outside of the passing game. This amounted to a 4.3 yard per carry average. He also caught 2 passes for 10 yards. He is the type of guy you know will keep a defense honest and force one on one matchups.

With Caleb Evans struggling to keep the ball out of the opponent’s hands, why not go with a guy who has proven to do the exact opposite when he is asked to start?

During the 2021 season, Tyrie Adams earned the nickname “The Magic Man” with the Salina Liberty. Had it not been for Ottawa stepping in and offering Adams a deal, he might still be playing for the Liberty having resigned for the 2022 season.

In just 3 games Adams managed to complete 58.7% of his passes for 349 yards, 5 touchdowns to just 1 interception in an Arena Football league where passing windows are nearly half the size with the condensed field. He also showcased his athletic ability with 20 carries for 118 yards and 4 more touchdowns.

CFL Opportunity Yet to Come

Tyrie Adams has performed at a high level every time he was given the opportunity to start. So the only question remaining at this point is, when or if the Redblacks will give him a chance to start in 2022 if Masoli misses extended time.

Having only appeared in CFL preseason games, the Redblacks would undoubtedly be taking a chance at the quarterback position. However, in my opinion, it’s a chance that you have to take given the way Evans played when he started. The Redblacks simply can’t succeed when they are giving the ball away on offense at the rate that it seems to happen with Evans as the primary passer.

Preseason Play Encouraging

During the preseason this year, Adams again showed his ability to score more often than he turns the ball over. In week two he threw the ball 9 times completing 6 passes for 68 yards 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, while adding 3 carries for 15 yards and 1 touchdown. The Redblacks didn’t call on Adams until their second drive in the fourth quarter.

When he entered the game it was 10-7, and unfortunately, his first drive resulted in a pick-six and a 10-point lead for his opponent. In his first drive, he went 0-2 and 1 interception. Then Adams got settled in and started to deal, going 6 of 7 for 68 yards, adding all 3 of his carries and both touchdowns en route to a victory that wouldn’t have been possible without his amazing play late in the fourth quarter.

During week two of the preseason, he again showed he is a capable quarterback at the CFL level. This time he was 3 of 5 for 67 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception, but also ran 4 times for 64 yards and 1 touchdown. Putting his cumulative total at 9 of 12 for 135 yards 1 TD, 2 ints, and adding 7 carries for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. Give this guy a chance to start, what’s the worst that can happen at this point you set Evans back in his development by one game, with the upside of answering questions about another young quarterback you have on the roster?

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