Cunningham not worried about two-year layoff
By the time the Alouettes launch their regular season next month at Edmonton, receiver B.J. Cunningham will have been out of football for two years.
If any player can overcome that obstacle, head coach Khari Jones believes it's the 32-year-old veteran.
“If the layoff affected him, it was positive,” Jones said Monday on a video conference, after the second day of training camp at Olympic Park. “He looks good, strong and a little bigger. He added good weight. He's still smooth and looks great.”
Cunningham was the Als' leading receiver going into an Aug. 9, 2019, game at Molson Stadium against Saskatchewan.
CFL history was made that night. Following a 60-minute delay in the third quarter caused by lightning in the area, the game was called with 2:41 remaining in the period and the Roughriders leading 17-10. Because the contest was beyond the midpoint of the quarter, combined with the hour-long delay, the result was considered official.
Cunningham fractured his right wrist on the opening drive of the second half on an attempted pass from backup quarterback Matt Shiltz. Cunningham landed on the wrist and cornerback Ed Gainey, who was covering him, landed on Cunningham's back, increasing the impact. To add insult to injury, Cunningham dropped the pass.
Surgery was performed the following day and his season ended after six games. Cunningham had 27 receptions at the time for 345 yards and one touchdown. Had he remained healthy, Cunningham says he would have eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second time in three seasons.
“Getting injured is part of the game, but it was definitely devastating for me,” Cunningham said.
Compounding the situation was the fact the Als qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Cunningham joined Montreal in 2015, playing eight games, after being a sixth-round (183rd overall) draft choice of the Miami Dolphins in 2012. He also had stints on Philadelphia's and Chicago's practice rosters.
The Als launch their season Aug. 14 at Edmonton. The 2020 CFL season was cancelled last August because of COVID-19.
Despite his age, Cunningham said he doesn't believe the two-year layoff has affected him adversely, claiming he's in the best shape of his career. Cunningham also stayed close to the game last summer by remaining in Montreal through the early stages of the pandemic, teaming with former Ottawa Redblacks receiver Scott Macdonnell to tutor young receivers.
“Everybody talks like I'm an old man,” the 6-foot-2, 211-pound Cunningham said. “I'm bouncing around just as much as the young guys. It feels good to be out there. This game's keeping me young. I have no choice.
“Staying around the game these past two years has kept me (mentally) in it,” he added. “It kept me wanting to be in it and motivated me to get back on the field. I'm just happy to be back. It feels great.”
Cunningham believes the Als will be one of the league's more dynamic teams this season, given their depth at receiver and the emergence of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., whom he considers a natural leader.
“This team has a lot of weapons offensively and defensively — and Khari knows how to use them,” Cunningham said.
Following years of witnessing a revolving door at quarterback, Cunningham's pleased to see the stability Adams brings.
“I feel like I've seen him grow up in this league,” he said of Adams, who returned to the Als following stints with Saskatchewan and Hamilton. “He bounced around, but came back a totally different player. He takes control of the huddle and even in meetings. He keeps guys on their toes, off the field as well.
“It's a great feeling going into camp knowing who your guy is all season long. Even for the coaches, it's a blessing for them. We haven't had that here for a while. To have a solid, solidified quarterback who's a leader, who wants to win, cares about his teammates. And he's a playmaker. That's all you can ask for. We want to make plays for him because he's like that.”