Sinkfield home again in Hamilton
Terrell Sinkfield is honest about it: he considers Hamilton his Canadian home, but he’s going to keep his doors wide open.
The versatile Sinkfield officially signed for the rest of this season — and, so far, not beyond — with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday afternoon, adding experience and outstanding speed to an offence which is already among the best in the CFL.
And, because he’s been pursuing a job at cornerback in the NFL for the better part of two years, he can also fill in on defence in a pinch.
“This is home. This is family,” the 27-year-old said of the Tiger-Cats.
“I’ve always kept in contact with them over the years. We had a mutual agreement that if things were possible for me to come back up north, then I would try my hardest to make it happen with Hamilton.”
In seven games for the 2014 Ticats, Sinkfield averaged 100 all-purpose yards and returned one punt for a touchdown. The following year he topped 1,000 yards in receiving, and scored six majors.
Ripped by long-term injuries at receiver, the Ticats pursued him early in September and later freed up salary cap space by dispatching No. 3 quarterback Bryant Moniz to the practice roster, but were unable to sign Sinkfield.
Was the money not right? “I’m not going to say it wasn’t right or it wasn’t wrong,” Sinkfield said. “I didn’t make the decision based on money. A few weeks ago, I just wasn’t in the right state to come out here. I had just been released from Oakland. I was on the practice roster for the first week and I figured I’m in the NFL, where people bounce around all the time. I was still fresh at the cornerback position and I just wanted to wait a couple of more weeks.
“My dreams of playing defensive back in the NFL aren’t over, but I just needed to get on the field and I considered this home and didn’t want to wait any longer.”
Sinkfield says he wants to use the CFL stretch run to help the Ticats get back to the Grey Cup game, but also as a showcase for the 2019 season.
‘Whether it’s to the NFL as a defensive back or whether it’s coming back to the CFL by letting them know I’ve still got it at receiver or return man,” Sinkfield said.
Sinkfield, who’s remained close to Ticats Simoni Lawrence, Brandon Banks and Don Unamba, will watch his new/old teammates from the sidelines in Toronto on Friday night, but is expected to play the following Friday in Ottawa.
“I’m not sure what the plan is but they want me out there as soon as possible,” he said.