Jun
Adams long road has landed him in Montreal
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
The professional football odyssey that has become the essence of Daniel Adams’s – Blue to his family and friends – life has taken him to Detroit, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Chicago, Rhein, Germany, back to Tampa, Cincinnati, Atlanta and now, Montreal, all in six years.
Twice, he took his family with him, only to decide it wasn’t the most prudent decision.
“Football is one of the strongest, most addictive games you can play,” said the 29-year-old defensive back who is trying to make the Alouettes’ roster at training camp. “I have the opportunity to do it, so I’m doing it.”
There aren’t many guys nearing the age of 30 attempting to make it in the Canadian Football League – a game and league Adams knew little about before venturing north – for the first time. Most Americans come here first, cut their teeth, gain experience and then attempt to crack an NFL team’s roster. But for Adams, he has been there, done that.
He was drafted in the seventh round (220th overall) by the Detroit Lions in 2003, only to be waived that September. Two days later, he was signed by the Buccaneers and put on the club’s practice roster.
One month later, he signed with Jacksonville and made the Jaguars’ 53-man roster, playing eight games. He went to training camp with the Jags the following season, only to be acquired on waivers by the Bears. Adams spent all of three days in Chicago.
He sat out the rest of the season before going to NFL Europe in 2005, returning to the Bucs that season and dressing for 13 games. Adams played all 16 regular-season games for Tampa in 2006, and ranked third on the team, with 19 special-teams tackles. He also forced a fumble.
Signed by Cincinnati as a free agent in 2007, he played 13 games for the Bengals, registering a quarterback sack. He attended camp with the Falcons last season.
But the game is only one side behind this unique individual, raised in the inner city of Miami – the eldest of 14 children. But, Adams said, the figure is misleading.
“There were never 14 of us together, growing up,” he explained.
He lived with his mother, a private-duty nurse, until high school, when he moved in with his father, who worked overnight at a newspaper. His father played an active role in his upbringing.
Adams has a 9-year-old half-sister. He also has three children of his own, the eldest, a daughter, also 9.
“I’d like to think I’ve touched each (of the 13) as a father figure, there to give them guidance,” Adams said.
Adams always has been gifted at football. He attended the University of Cincinnati, and still holds the school record of 12 career interceptions – six as a senior, two returned for touchdowns. He was named the Bearcats’ co-most valuable player in 2002.
Through the opening days of Als camp, Adams has been practising at weakside cornerback with the second defence, and weakside defensive back with the third squad. None of this guarantees employment on a team filled with veterans, but his versatility could be useful.
“If we think a guy can play two positions, he has a better chance of making the club,” defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke said. “He has good quickness and ball awareness, and asks a lot of good questions. You can tell he has got some experience.”
Notes – Running-back Dahrran Diedrick has returned from his one-day absence, unwilling to discuss the nature of the issue that forced a quick trip to Toronto. … RB Mike Imoh has made his camp debut, cleared after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last March. … CB Davis Sanchez is suffering from a hip flexor, while LB Cam Hall has what’s believed to be an ankle injury.
