‘Assassin’ Evans adds to all-star credentials
Team interceptions leader continues play that made him an all-star in 2016
Saying that Ciante Evans is quiet isn’t the same thing as saying he’s shy or nervous or some sort of shrinking violet.
The Calgary Stampeders defensive back has proven over the past two years that he’s nothing of the sort. Instead, Evans is just the sort of guy who quietly does his job and, most importantly, covers receivers from the corner position as well as — or better than — anyone in the CFL. “He’s the best, I can’t think of any better,” said fellow Stamps DB Josh Bell. “He doesn’t give up big plays, is extremely consistent and you might get him once on something, but you won’t get him twice.
“He’s a sniper. He’s an assassin. Like a samurai, he goes straight to work.”
A CFL all-star last season, Evans has been even better this year.
He’s started every game on a team that has allowed the least points scored against them of any CFL squad, and has picked up the third-most interceptions.
Evans is leading the Stamps in interceptions with two, and that’s a number his teammates see ballooning as the season carries on.
“His competitive spirit is unmatched,” said Stamps DB Brandon Smith. “When the ball is in the air, he feels that it’s his ball and he’s going for the turnover. If he can’t get the turnover, he’s not letting them catch the ball. Him having that kind of drive and being young and willing to learn, it gives him an edge.”
There have been no shortages of standout performances in the Stamps defensive secondary this season, and with pretty much everyone healthy heading into the Labour Day Classic against the Edmonton Eskimos, the unit is almost identical to the dominant group that the Stamps trotted out last year.
It’s a unit that thrives on communication and developing an almost otherworldly understanding of where each teammate will be on the field at any given time.
That means that communication is paramount, and while Evans may not be the loudest guy on the field, having veterans like Bell and Smith out there means that being a good listener might be more important to his development.
“It’s easy to come out and rest on your laurels, so to speak,” Evans said. “But this unit I’m in, the guys around me won’t allow you to slip up or take no days off or weeks off. Our room helps everybody continue to get better every day.
“(This year) I’m more comfortable mixing up my leverages and where I’m positioned at on the field. I’ve got a lot of improvements to go, though. I get gameplanned as much as any DB gets game-planned, so I have to really hone-in on my weaknesses and turn them into strengths.”
That desire to focus in on the areas where he needs to improve suggests the 24-year-old Evans has a long future ahead of him. Already this season, he’s shown a versatility that will make him invaluable going forward.
While he’s a natural corner who played on the outside in both high school and in his four years of college at Nebraska, injuries forced the Stamps to move him to the halfback position for the first couple games of the season. He didn’t look out of place at all at halfback, but has been back to his world-beating best since returning to corner.
“I think he can do things inside, but when we moved him back out there when we got our guys back, that’s when he displayed his best football,” said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson. “He’s a young enough kid that he’s getting better and improving. Quiet, but a quiet confidence as well.”