Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke was at BC Place for the Week 6 matchup between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions.
Rourke has been training with Vancouver-based SportCore Performance and QB Motion specialist Rob Williams as he prepares for training camp with the New York Giants. He’ll report on Tuesday, July 23 to compete with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito for playing time.
“The goal is to play, I still feel like that opportunity is present down in the NFL,” Rourke said during an interview with TSN play-by-play man Rod Smith and colour analyst Glen Suitor.
The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers in May and attended organized team activities, with the Giants taking notice of his hard-working approach. Rourke earned $519,668 USD in his first NFL season which was spent mostly with the Jacksonville Jaguars until the New England Patriots picked him up for the final three games.
The six-foot-two, 209-pound dual-threat passer keeps in contact with his former B.C. Lions teammates. He’s in consistent communication with injured receiver Keon Hatcher through his recovery process, for example, and wants the Leos to win a Grey Cup at home in November.
“The team is doing everything they can to win, I want it for Vancouver, for B.C.,” Rourke said.
Vernon Adams Jr. leads the league in passing yards (2,203) and touchdown throws (12) with a 114.7 QB rating through six games while leading the Lions to a 5-1 record, good for first place in the West Division. Rourke provided his unique insight into why Adams Jr. has been playing at a Most Outstanding Player level.
“What I’m really impressed with is he’s letting the game come to him. He’s trusting Jordan [Maksymic] and the rest of the offensive staff. He’s not forcing it,” Rourke said.
“Jordan simplifies things, he makes it one, to two, to three, down to your check down. Vernon has had success this year because I believe he’s bought into his system. He’s mirrored his feet with his reads and his eyes — really been able to put it together.”
While Rourke was in B.C., he shared a quarterback room with Saskatchewan’s Shea Patterson, who has stepped in to start as Trevor Harris heals from a left knee injury. Patterson completed 17-of-25 passes for 278 yards with one interception in a 35-20 loss to B.C. on Saturday but displayed progress in his second career CFL start.
“Taking over for a team like he is for Trevor, he’s in a situation where the team’s not really his. He’s gotta prove himself to his teammates, I think he’s done a really good job. The game plan is tailored to his skill set,” Rourke said.
CFL fans from coast to coast are keeping an eye on Rourke as closely as he’s following the three-down league. Many are wondering what would happen if he ever comes back to play professionally in Canada.
“I would love to come back and play in this league that I love so much,” Rourke said. “I love playing in front of these fans, I love playing in front of family and I’d love to return to an organization that I love — that feels like family to me — in B.C. with the Lions.”
