Cunningham grateful to Als for chance to play
Former Michigan State star says he never received an opportunity with NFL teams
There remain times, B.J. Cunningham has admitted, where he still wonders what he’s doing up here. After putting up such strong numbers at Michigan State, he wonders why he isn’t in the NFL.
“I do think about it a lot, but every other day now. It used to be every day,” the talented Alouettes receiver admitted after Wednesday’s practice at Olympic Stadium. “Politics are part of the game. It hasn’t only happened to me.
“But in the Canadian Football League, you come up, show what you can do and establish yourself, which is what I’m trying to do. If I stay healthy, that won’t happen to me no more.”
Cunningham, 28, and now in his third season with Montreal, was a sixth-round (183rd overall) draft choice of the Miami Dolphins in 2012, after he concluded his college career as the Spartans’ alltime leader in receptions (218), receiving yards (3,086) and finished second in career touchdown receptions (25).
He signed a four-year, $2.2-million contract with the Dolphins, including a signing bonus of $106,000, but was released at the end of training camp. Cunningham spent time with Philadelphia and Chicago before making his way north.
“I got to Philadelphia and (head coach) Chip Kelly came in and he had guys he wanted,” Cunningham said. “It depends on where you fit in and the time you’re there, how you get there and what you do while you’re there.
“I came in here at the right time, got on the field and made the best of my opportunity. And now I’m here.”
If Kelly played favourites while with the Eagles, former Als general manager Jim Popp did, too, always displaying an affinity for Michigan State alumni since he also attended the school.
Cunningham signed with the Als in July 2015 and began to blossom last season, catching 65 passes for 855 yards in 17 games. Through six games this season, he’s beginning to gain attention along with a reputation for being one of the league’s elite receivers.
Heading into Friday night’s game against the Toronto Argonauts at Molson Stadium, Cunningham is sixth overall in the CFL. He has caught 26 passes for 475 yards while scoring three touchdowns. He has a league-leading average of 18.3 yards per catch and already has made six plays of 30 yards or more.
Cunningham is on pace for 78 receptions and 1,425 yards.
While Cunningham has personal goals, he’s more concerned with winning, having never experienced post-season play in the CFL. He said he was worked hard to study the game which, in turn, slows everything down.
“I just want to play. I’m so thankful for the Alouettes for giving me a chance to play,” said the six-foottwo, 211 pounder. “I want to play and win. I’m ecstatic about it.”
Veteran slotback Nik Lewis, now in his 14th season, has long been bullish about Cunningham. Lewis has compared him to Ken-Yon Rambo, his former Calgary teammate, who he claimed is the best receiver with whom he has played. Rambo led the CFL in receiving yards with 1,473 in 2008 before being slowed by injuries.
“I see B.J. on that same path . ... As long as he keeps working, the sky’s the limit.”
Quarterback Darian Durant is in his first season with Montreal, so has no history of working with any of his receivers. But Cunningham has gained Durant’s confidence.
“He’s definitely an elite receiver,” Durant said.
“You can’t just go by stats. You have to look how defences rotate coverages his way, the attention he draws when he’s not getting the ball and the way he produces with his targets.”