Stamps sophomore wants it all
TRIPLE THREAT: Cunningham scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and on a return last year
CALGARY — It’ll take more than a 74-yard kickoff return to impress Sederrik Cunningham.
“I’ve got to finish, though,’’ sighed the sophomore Calgary Stampeder, the author of said lengthy return.
“That’s all I’ve got to say about that. Nice return, but I pride myself on finishing stuff. Last year, that would have been OK; this year, you have to finish those things, so I’ll do better on that.’’
In the Stamps’ 37-29 pre-season victory in Regina on Friday night, Cunningham contributed 116 total return yards and was one of the standouts of the game.
It’s that long return in the second quarter that still haunts him, though.
“I didn’t even see the guy,’’ he recalled. “I came to the sideline and I was looking to run over some guys. When I came out of the pile, I took off running and before I could get up to full speed ... shwoop ... I was like a deer that came out from birth and I just fell on the ground.
“When I got up I was mad. Everybody else was excited, I was saying stop celebrating, we could have scored. That’s the difference between last year and this year. Last year I was celebrating, this year I’m like, no, this is not good.’’
Cunningham, who began the 2014 season on the practice roster and methodically earned his way into 10 games — en route to being named the Stamps’ Most Outstanding Rookie — will be the premier guy back there on special teams when the regular season opens up on the weekend, with the veteran Tim Brown placed on the practice roster.
With training camp over, practices beginning on Monday will focus on the home-opener on Friday night against Hamilton, a rematch of the Grey Cup game.
Last year, the 25-year-old Cunningham was one of three CFL players to score a touchdown rushing, receiving and on a return.
If that doesn’t speak to his versatility, nothing does.
“Really?’’ he asked, when told that fact. “Cool. “I pride myself in being somebody you can move anywhere,’’ he submitted.
“I really want to be that guy. On the scouting report, they’re going to list (Jeff ) Fuller and (Eric) Rogers and Marquay (McDaniel). Of course, (Jon) Cornish is always going to be there. I want to be that guy that they say, listen, remember this dude too. We don’t know where he’s going to be, but we know he can hurt us in some kind of way. I want to be that guy that can change the game at the snap of a finger.’’
An overall improvement, according to Cunningham, isn’t an option for the entire team.
“Not just want to, you have to,’’ he stressed.
“Some people get complacent when they win a championship. You have to remember, last year you’re the hunter; this year, you’re the hunted. And everybody’s trying to stop the return game so we have to step it up another notch.
“The only thing I can do is make sure 17 does his job. That’s it. As far as a starting role, wherever, doing what, carrying out the water ... I’m blessed to be here.’’
EXTRA YARDS: Head coach/GM John Hufnagel would not elaborate on Saturday, but there were a couple of concerning injuries to come out of the Saskatchewan game. He’ll wait until MRIs to comment further ... DB Josh Bell (personal) is expected back for practice on Monday.