Jones out of isolation, ready to get Als going

We'll never know whether Khari Jones' presence might have made a difference to the Alouettes last weekend — and specifically quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. — in a loss to B.C. where they failed to score a touchdown.

But what seems virtually certain is the Als' head coach is the only person capable of getting the team — and, by extension, Adams — to end their inconsistent play.

Jones, who tested positive for COVID-19 more than a week ago, returned to his Olympic Stadium office and practice field on Tuesday, his 10-day isolation period having ended after he produced two negative tests.

That, in retrospect — other than being confined to his apartment while meeting virtually and having to watch the game on television — might have been the easy part for Jones. Getting the Als to perform better might prove more challenging.

“I do feel like we're very close,” Jones said. “I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it. We're close to being a really good team. We just have to come through in some of these close games. Every game we lost was close at one point. There's a little something that doesn't get us over that hump, but we'll get there.”

Despite being limited to six field goals from David Côté in Saturday's 27-18 defeat to the Lions, Montreal was still in the game in the third quarter, trailing 17-15 and in B.C. territory, when Adams was intercepted for the second time.

The turnover deflated the home team, which threatened only once again, well into the fourth quarter when they advanced to the Lions' 22. There, the drive stalled and Côté kicked his final field goal.

And that's the one thing that differentiates the team Jones inherited in 2019 — when he replaced the fired Mike Sherman following training camp — and this year's club: the ability to overcome obstacles.

The Als overcame numerous deficits two seasons ago, finishing with a 10-8 record and making the playoffs for the first time since 2014. But this year's team, which is 2-3 heading into Friday night's game at Toronto, has yet to prove it can play from behind.

“As a team, we have to work on being able to bounce back from negative situations,” Jones said. “I'm still working to figure out our makeup as a team; make sure we're strong enough to fight back and keep fighting. That was one of the cornerstones of our team in 2019. I knew we'd come back, put up a fight and, a lot of times, come out victorious. I want this team to feel more comfortable in tight games.”

Jones' biggest mandate in the days, and possibly weeks, ahead is to massage what appears to be the fragile psyche of Adams, an exciting and talented player who continues to battle confidence issues and clearly is growing weary of addressing his shortcomings with the media.

“I'm just trying to get better,” Adams said on Tuesday, repeating himself. “It's good to have (Jones) back there. He's my QB coach. He keeps me calm on the side, things like that. I'm just glad to have him back for his energy.”

Jones continues to believe in Adams, but noted his decision-making must improve, adding the quarterback can't always be seeking the home-run shot.

“Your decision-making,” Jones said.

“The quarterback has to make more on a play than anyone. Every quarterback knows it. The offence is dependent on you to make the right decisions more often than not. We're going for it maybe a bit too much. We have to pick our spots. We've been throwing it too much downfield.”

The Als have added a third quarterback — Shea Patterson, who spent brief stints with B.C. and the Kansas City Chiefs — while releasing fellow pivot Nick Tiano. But Jones said nothing should be read into the move.