imported>Cumberland Mills: Career highlights

2025-04-27T03:17:53Z

Career highlights

New page

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox Canadian Football League biography
|name=Marcus Adams
|image=MarcusAdamsRiders.JPG
|nickname=Chunky
|caption=
|number=51
|position1=Defensive tackle
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1979|7|20}}
|birth_place=[[Indianapolis, Indiana]], U.S.
|Height_ft=5
|Height_in=10
|Weight_lbs=275
|College=[[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|Eastern Kentucky]]
|highschool=[[Ben Davis High School|Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis]]
|playing_years1={{CFL Year|2003}}–{{CFL Year|2010}}
|playing_team1=[[Saskatchewan Roughriders]]
|playing_years2={{AFL Year|2004}}–{{AFL Year|2005}}
|playing_team2=[[Colorado Crush]]
|playing_years3=2005
|playing_team3=[[Peoria Rough Riders]]
|playing_years4={{CFL Year|2011}}
|playing_team4=[[Edmonton Eskimos]]*
|playing_years5={{AFL Year|2012}}
|playing_team5=[[Spokane Shock]]*
|career_footnotes=<nowiki/>*Offseason and/or practice roster only.
|import=yes
|CFL-archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617175755/http://www.cfl.ca/index.php/roster/show/id/639
|ArenaFan=Marcus_Adams-4901/
|career_highlights =
* [[Grey Cup]] champion ([[95th Grey Cup|2007]])
}}
'''Marcus "Chunky" Adams''' (born July 20, 1979) is a [[Canadian football]] [[defensive tackle]] who played for the [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL) for eight seasons. He also was on the rosters of the [[Edmonton Eskimos]] of the CFL, the [[Colorado Crush]] and [[Spokane Shock]] of the [[Arena Football League]], and the [[Peoria Rough Riders]] of [[af2]] throughout his professional career. He played [[college football]] at [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|Eastern Kentucky]].

Adams was a backup at various defensive line positions for four seasons before he was given the opportunity to consistently start for the Roughriders. He had a breakout season in 2007, when he made a career-high 35 tackles and six sacks on his way to winning his first and only [[Grey Cup]] championship. After eight seasons with the Roughriders, Adams was released and spent brief periods of time with the Edmonton Eskimos and Spokane Shock before retiring. He finished his career with 130 tackles and 12 sacks, appearing in eight playoff games and three Grey Cups.<ref name="shock2012">{{cite news|title=Shock Shuffle Roster|url=http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/021912aaa.html|access-date=May 5, 2016|work=www.arenafootball.com|date=February 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601152104/http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/021912aaa.html|archive-date=June 1, 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

== Early career ==

Adams played [[high school football]] for the Giants at [[Ben Davis High School]], where he was an all-state defensive tackle and was named a top player by ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="usatoday1997">{{cite news|last1=Brewington|first1=Peter|last2=Raboin|first2=Sharon|last3=White|first3=Carolyn|title=USA TODAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: [FINAL Edition]|work=USA Today|date=August 19, 1997|page=10.C}}</ref> The ''[[Evansville Courier & Press]]'' reported that Adams was both fast and strong for a high school tackle, with a [[40-yard dash]] time of 4.9 seconds and the strength to [[bench press]] {{Convert|350|lb|kg}}.<ref name="evansville1997">{{cite news|last1=Engelhardt|first1=Gordon|title=HARRISON-BEN DAVIS IS GOOD PLACE TO START: [Final Edition]|work=Evansville Courier|publisher=Scripps Howard|date=August 22, 1997|page=C.3}}</ref>

Adams went on to play four seasons of [[college football]] with the [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|Eastern Kentucky Colonels]], a member of the [[Division I Football Championship Subdivision]] (then known as Division I-AA).<ref name="roughriders2003" /> Starting in 33 games, Adams received several accolades while playing for the Colonels, including being named a Division I-AA third team [[All-America]]n,<ref name="augusta2011">{{cite news|title=I-AA ALL-AMERICA LIST|work=The Augusta Chronicle|date=December 19, 2001|page=C05}}</ref> a two-time first team All-Conference player, and a second team All-Conference player.<ref name="roughriders2003">{{cite news|title=MARCH 21, 2003... RIDERS KEEP SIGNING!|url=http://www.saskatchewanroughriders.ca/article/march_21__2003____riders_keep_signing_|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=Saskatchewan Roughriders|date=March 20, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604001901/http://www.saskatchewanroughriders.ca/article/march_21__2003____riders_keep_signing_|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2002, he was selected as the [[Ohio Valley Conference]] Defensive Player of the Week for his effort in a game against the [[Florida Atlantic Owls]], where he made 5 total tackles and repeatedly pressured the quarterback (including for one [[Quarterback sack|sack]]).<ref name="palmbeach2002">{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=Marcus|title=FAU'S RUNNING GAME STILL GOING NOWHERE: [FINAL Edition]|work=Palm Beach Post|date=September 23, 2002|page=9C}}</ref> Adams continued his successful senior year by recording 81 defensive tackles and five sacks.<ref name="roughriders2003" />

== Professional career ==

=== Saskatchewan Roughriders ===

On March 21, 2003, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that they signed Adams as a free agent.<ref name="roughriders2003" /> Adams went on to play eight seasons with the Roughriders.

==== 2003 season ====

Adams received an early opportunity to start for the Roughriders after [[Ray Jacobs (Canadian football)|Ray Jacobs]] was suspended for missing practice in the preseason. Adams made his CFL debut as a [[defensive end]] on June 19, 2003, against the [[Toronto Argonauts]].<ref name="post2003">{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Saskatchewan: [National Edition]|work=National Post|date=June 25, 2003|page=S7}}</ref> He went on to play in nine regular season games and record 13 tackles in his rookie season, both due to Jacobs' continued suspension and injuries to other defensive linemen later in the season.<ref name="sun2003">{{cite news|last1=Beamish|first1=Mike|title=Game Day: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=October 25, 2003|page=E5}}</ref><ref name="CPFE">{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0983513667|page=140}}</ref>

==== 2004 season ====

Adams remained with the Roughriders for the 2004 season, but he did not play in any regular season games.<ref name="CPFE" /><ref name="denverpost2005">{{cite news|title=REGION REPORT Crush waives former Ram Woods: [Final Edition]|work=Denver Post|date=January 23, 2005|page=B.05}}</ref>

==== 2005 season ====

Between the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Adams played [[arena football|indoor football]] with the [[Colorado Crush]] of the [[Arena Football League]] and the [[Peoria Rough Riders]] of [[af2]].<ref name="denverpost2005" /><ref name="sioux2005">{{cite news|last1=Giese|first1=Jerry|title=Unbeaten Bandits host Peoria|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/football/amateur/unbeaten-bandits-host-peoria/article_df4b58d2-8d2b-58c2-a2b9-805ac63df776.html|access-date=May 4, 2016|work=Sioux City Journal|date=April 23, 2005}}</ref> On May 9, 2005, Adams left the Peoria Rough Riders to attend training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.<ref name="star2005">{{cite news|last1=Eminian|first1=Dave|title=With the Rough Riders – 'We are a bad football team, plain and simple': [All Edition]|work=Journal Star|date=May 10, 2005|page=D1}}</ref> He acted as a backup for the Roughriders throughout the 2005 season. In July, he started in place of [[Nathan Davis (gridiron football)|Nate Davis]], who was unable to play due to [[back spasm]]s.<ref name="nationalpost2005">{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Saskatchewan: [National Edition]|work=National Post|date=July 20, 2005|page=S4}}</ref> Adams went on to play in only five regular season games, where he made two sacks and four tackles.<ref name="CPFE" />

==== 2006 season ====

Adams was again used primarily as a backup in the 2006 season, playing in only five games. He played in place of Nate Davis and [[T. J. Stancil]] when both players dealt with injuries.<ref name="nationalpost2006">{{cite news|last1=Sandler|first1=Jeremy|title=Argos Game Day: [Toronto Edition]|work=National Post|date=July 22, 2006|page=S5}}</ref><ref name="torontostar2006">{{cite news|title=Tonight: [MET Edition]|work=Toronto Star|date=July 22, 2006|page=E05}}</ref> In September, Adams was placed on the injured list.<ref name="sun2006">{{cite news|title=Saskatchewan Roughriders: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=September 23, 2006|page=E3}}</ref> He finished the season with seven tackles and a sack.<ref name="CPFE" />

==== 2007 season ====

After Nate Davis was released from the Roughriders in the offseason, Adams took over as a starting defensive tackle.<ref name="nationalpost2007">{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS: [National Edition]|work=National Post|date=June 28, 2007|page=S4}}</ref> By mid-July, Adams was leading the CFL with four sacks.<ref name="vancouversun2007a">{{cite news|title=Saskatchewan Roughriders: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=July 13, 2007|page=G2}}</ref> While Adams was injured in November, he did not miss serious time, and he played a major role in the Roughriders' playoff run.<ref name="vancouversun2007b">{{cite news|title=This Week in the CFL: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=November 8, 2007|page=F3}}</ref> In the Western final, Adams effectively ended a [[BC Lions]] drive late in the fourth quarter by sacking opposing [[quarterback]] [[Dave Dickenson]] for a 14-yard loss. The drive ended in a punt, and the Roughriders went on to win 26–17 to move on to the Grey Cup.<ref name="vancouversun2007c">{{cite news|title=Grading the Lions: [Final Edition]|work=Vancouver Sun|date=November 19, 2007|page=D2}}</ref> The Saskatchewan Roughriders won the [[95th Grey Cup]], defeating the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] 23–19. In the championship game, Adams was part of a defense that was described as "domineering" by ''[[Montreal Gazette|The Gazette]]''.<ref name="gazette2007">{{cite news|last1=Zurkowsky|first1=Herb|title=Defence leads Riders to promised land; Roughriders 23, Blue Bombers 19. Inexperienced Bombers QB Dinwiddie hounded all night, throws 3 interceptions: [Early Edition]|work=The Gazette|date=November 26, 2007|page=C1}}</ref> He finished the season with 35 tackles, six sacks, and one pass deflection in 16 regular season games, all of which were career highs.<ref name="CPFE" />

==== 2008 season ====

Adams faced the possibility of becoming a free agent after the 2007 season, but he re-signed with the Roughriders by February 2008.<ref name="postleader2008a">{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Davis, Hunt likely to test waters|work=Regina Post-Leader|date=February 15, 2008|page=C1}}</ref> Adams was challenged by Brent Curvey and [[Ronald Flemons]] in training camp, but he won the starting role for the 2008 season.<ref name="leaderpost2008d">{{cite news|title=On your Marcus, get set ... GO!|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=May 31, 2008|page=C2}}</ref> Playing in 14 games, he made 11 tackles and two fumble recoveries.<ref name="CPFE"/> Adams missed a regular season game in July to visit his mother, who was undergoing cancer surgery,<ref name="gazette2008">{{cite news|last1=Zurkowsky|first1=Herb|title=Size matters when it comes to sellout crowds; Bottom line for Hunt: 'I just want to play'|work=The Gazette|date=July 20, 2008|page=B4}}</ref> and he also spent time on the injured list due to a finger injury and sprained ankle.<ref name="leaderpost2008f">{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Darrell|title=Learning to play hurt|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=July 29, 2008|page=C1}}</ref><ref name="leaderpost2008h">{{cite news|last1=McCormick|first1=Murray|title=Boreham back up and kicking again|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=September 12, 2008|page=C2}}</ref> The Roughriders made the playoffs, but lost to the BC Lions 33–12 in the West Semi-Final.<ref name="CPFEplayoffs">{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0983513667|pages=40–41}}</ref>

==== 2009 season ====

Adams continued to start in the 2009 season, and he recorded 33 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection while playing in all 18 regular season games.<ref name="CPFE" /> The Roughriders made it to the [[97th Grey Cup]], where Adams forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate [[Keith Shologan]]. Facing the [[Montreal Alouettes]], the Roughriders lost 28–27, preventing Adams from winning his second championship.<ref name="globeandmail2009">{{cite news|last1=Naylor|first1=David|title=A Riders goof, an Als victory|work=The Globe and Mail|date=November 30, 2009}}</ref>

==== 2010 season ====

Adams again became a free agent before the 2010 season, but he re-signed with the Roughriders.<ref name="vancouversun2010">{{cite news|title=In Brief|work=Vancouver Sun|date=February 18, 2010|page=D15}}</ref> He continued to regularly start and be featured in the rotation at the defensive lineman position. Adams missed Week 13 due to an injury.<ref name="globeandmail2010">{{cite news|last1=Naylor|first1=David|title=CFL / WEEK 14 / PREVIEWS AND PICKS|work=The Globe and Mail|date=October 1, 2010|page=S8}}</ref> He finished the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery across 16 regular season games.<ref name="CPFE" /> The Roughriders again made it to the Grey Cup, but they lost to the Alouettes 21–18.<ref name="CPFEplayoffs" />

=== Retirement ===

Following the 2010 season, the Roughriders chose not to re-sign Adams.<ref name="nationalpost2011">{{cite news|last1=McCormick|first1=Murray|title=Riders' woes spawn leadership debate; 1–6 record; Some wonder if team lacks emotion|work=National Post|date=August 18, 2011|page=B10}}</ref> The [[Edmonton Eskimos]] expressed interest, and Adams signed a contract with them for the 2011 season.<ref name="saintpaul2011">{{cite news|title=Scorecard: By the numbers|work=Saint Paul Pioneer Press|date=April 20, 2011}}</ref> He never played a regular season game for the Eskimos, and was eventually released.<ref name="CPFE" /> Adams later returned to the Arena Football League and signed with the [[Spokane Shock]] in 2012 before retiring from professional football.<ref name="spokesman2012">{{cite news|title=BULLDOGS RALLY IN NINTH INNING, BEAT NEBRASKA|work=Spokesman Review|date=February 19, 2012|page=C3}}</ref>

=== Season statistics ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year<ref name="CPFE" /> || Team || GP || Tackles || Sacks || Pass deflections || Forced fumbles || Fumble recoveries
|-
| {{CFL Year|2003}} || [[2003 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 9 || 13 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
|-
| {{CFL Year|2005}} || [[2005 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 5 || 4 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{CFL Year|2006}} || [[2006 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 5 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{CFL Year|2007}} || [[2007 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 16 || 35 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{CFL Year|2008}} || [[2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 14 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-
| {{CFL Year|2009}} || [[2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 18 || 33 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{CFL Year|2010}} || [[2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SAS]] || 16 || 27 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
|colspan=2|'''Total''' || 83 || 130 || 12 || 3 || 1 || 3
|}

== Personal life ==

Marcus was born to a family of athletes, with his father and uncles [[Professional boxing|boxing professionally]].<ref name="leaderpost2008e">{{cite news|last1=Harder|first1=Greg|title=Lineman getting a chunk of respect|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=June 7, 2008|page=C1}}</ref>

Adams was active in the [[Saskatchewan]] community throughout his time with the Roughriders. In March 2008, he helped coach a [[Minor ice hockey|pee wee]] hockey team during a charity benefit for Dustin Lemire, a child diagnosed with [[leukemia]].<ref name="leaderpost2008b">{{cite news|last1=Bissonnette|first1=Richard|title=Thanking a pair of Roughriders|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=March 18, 2008|page=C6}}</ref> Adams also coached that year in a high school training camp hosted by [[Matt Dominguez]], a fellow Roughrider,<ref name="leaderpost2008c">{{cite news|last1=McCormick|first1=Murray|title=Dominguez has spring in his step for camps|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=April 10, 2008|page=C3}}</ref> and in a skills camp for the Ehrlo Monday Night Football League.<ref name="leaderpost2008g">{{cite news|last1=Langston|first1=Kim|title=Ranch Ehrlo writes to say: Thank you!|work=Regina Leader-Post|date=August 29, 2008|page=C4}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{95th Grey Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Marcus}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football defensive tackles]]
[[Category:Canadian football defensive linemen]]
[[Category:Colorado Crush players]]
[[Category:Eastern Kentucky Colonels football players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Elks players]]
[[Category:Peoria Pirates players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Indianapolis]]
[[Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players]]
[[Category:Spokane Shock players]]
[[Category:Players of Canadian football from Indianapolis]]

Marcus Adams (Canadian football) - Revision history

imported>Cumberland Mills: Career highlights