Stampeders’ Sinopoli downplays ‘the catch’
‘To be honest, it was just a play. … It’s part of the job’
CALGARY — It has been one week since the play that will be remembered as “The Catch.” And yet Brad Sinopoli has referred to it as just another play.
Sure. That’s why it was shown, quite prominently, on ESPN’s SportsCenter in the U.S. Canadian quarterbacks turned receiver are always making one-handed receptions and gaining 42 yards on a single play.
“To be honest, it was just a play. It might be a little more amplified because of the scenario,” Sinopoli, the Calgary Stampeders’ first-year receiver, said on Friday. “You’re here to make plays. Sometimes you make them and sometimes you don’t. It’s part of the job.”
Sinopoli, making his first Canadian Football League start, replacing the injured Maurice Price, made the reception while being covered by cornerback Byron Parker in the third quarter of last Friday’s game at Molson Stadium. The play led to one of Rene Paredes’s five field goals in the visitor’s 22-14 win.
Price is healthy again, but Sinopoli is scheduled to dress — and figures to contribute — when Calgary and the Alouettes meet in the rematch, Saturday night (7 p.m., TSN, RDS, CJAD Radio-800) at McMahon Stadium.
Not only are the Als reeling following two consecutive defeats, Montreal hasn’t won in Calgary since 2009.
Sinopoli, a 6-foot-4, 208 pounder from Peterborough, Ont., caught five passes for 81 yards against the Als, providing quarterback Kevin Glenn with a big target, a receiver willing to fight for yards and go into traffic.
“That’s coaching,” quipped John Hufnagel, the Stamps’ general manager and head coach. “That was a very special catch. We needed that performance to help us win. If we didn’t think he has the ability, he wouldn’t be out there.”
There are two ways of looking at the Sinopoli scenario. We can be intrigued and impressed about the athleticism that was required to make the transition.
Sinopoli, selected by Calgary in the fourth round (29th overall) in 2011 out of the University of Ottawa, spent a decade behind centre, capturing the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded annually to the top player in Canadian university, a year earlier.
Or we can say Sinopoli is yet one more non-import pivot who wasn’t given a chance and had to change positions — like Edmonton’s Mathieu Bertrand, now retired, or the Als’ Marc-Olivier Brouillette. McMaster’s Kyle Quinlan retired this year before even venturing to Montreal’s training camp.
Sinopoli dressed for 28 regular-season games the last two years, never throwing a pass or getting onto the field. He did, however, lead the Stamps to a comefrom-behind victory against Edmonton in an exhibition game.
“People look at it and say I didn’t get a chance. I did — for two years,” said Sinopoli, 25. “I was in games. I disagree with people. I got a chance.
“You have to understand, there are only eight starting (quarterback) positions in this league. To make it, whether you’re a Canadian or American, is difficult. And they expect results right away. You have to perform right away. There will be a chance for another one, one day. Things have to line up for you.”
Rather than hold a clipboard on the sidelines for the rest of his career — which probably wouldn’t have lasted long — Sinopoli saw the light and knew a change in positions would be required. He started practising at receiver on the scout team last season and, when Hufnagel broached the subject, Sinopoli was ready, willing and eager. And now, he has proven able.
While the transition likely was made easier by the fact Sinopoli played quarterback, giving him an understanding of other positions, he still had to execute, learning how to run routes while displaying an ability to catch. It’s not that easy.
“Being on the same page with the quarterback is easier because you were a quarterback,” he explained. “You have a greater understanding of the whole picture. But you still have to get used to contact and tucking the ball.
“As a quarterback, I was calm and clear-headed. It’s a different animal when you have to play receiver and block people and play on special teams.
“But I didn’t,” Sinopoli added, “want to pass up an opportunity for a job. There was no
“You have a greater understanding of the whole picture.”
BRAD SINOPOLI
other way. I felt desperate to do something to get back on the team.”
Meanwhile, Glenn will be making his second consecutive start for Calgary against Montreal, replacing the injured Drew Tate. Tate is recovering from a muscle strain in his forearm.
Glenn undoubtedly outplayed Anthony Calvillo last week, completing 22 of 28 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown.
Overshadowed by numerous other pivots throughout the course of his 13-year career, Glenn nonetheless remains serviceable and reliable, only a Grey Cup having eluded him.
“Kevin did a great job managing the game, throwing accurately and managing the pocket, especially on secondand-long, buying more time,” said Hufnagel, himself a former pro QB.
“Our receivers found the holes in the zone to keep drives going.”