Ticats’ Sinkfield in new role accounting for loss of Banks
Seeing how the other half lives had helped make Terrell Sinkfield Jr. a better receiver.
Sinkfield will make his Hamilton debut Saturday afternoon when the Tiger-Cats (8-8) host the Ottawa Redblacks (9-7). The six-foot, 200-pound Sinkfield will play on offence after spending two-plus seasons as a defensive back with the Minnesota Vikings (2016-17), New York Jets (2017-18) and Oakland Raiders (2018).
Playing defence helped give Sinkfield a different perspective on lining up as a receiver.
“Just understanding defences and leverages,” he said. “And seeing it from the defensive point of view really helped me out a lot.”
Sinkfield, 27, spent two sea- sons with Hamilton (2014-15), registering 79 catches for 1,150 yards and six TDs in 22 games. His best campaign was 2015 when he had 69 receptions for 1,030 yards — his only 1,000yard CFL season — with six touchdowns.
“I’m in (receiver) mode now,” he said. “June (Hamilton head coach June Jones) likes his routes a little bit different so luckily I didn’t come from being a receiver stuck in a different system.
“So I can come in here and be fresh and run the offence the way he wants.”
Sinkfield will be looking to help re-energize a Hamilton offence that will be minus star receiver Brandon Banks (94 catches, 1,423 yards, 11 TDs). Banks suffered a season-ending broken clavicle in last weekend’s 35-31 road loss in Ottawa.
The loss of Banks is a huge one for Hamilton. Since Sept. 1, 2017 he and starter Jeremiah Masoli have been the CFL’s top passing combination with 2,341 yards and 18 TDs. Fortunately for Hamilton, Masoli and veteran slotback Luke Tasker are at No. 2 with 131 completions for 1,777 yards and 16 TDs.
“You can’t replace none of that, man,” Masoli said. “Nothing but total trust and confidence in the guys we have on the field and we’ll get it done.
“Obviously we know (Sinkfield) is a speedster, he can blow by guys and since he’s got back from the (NFL) I could tell he’s a lot smarter football-wise and can read defences a lot easier. He brings a lot to the table, he’s a complete receiver and we’re lucky to have him.”
Sinkfield roommate is none other than Banks, who’s helped to coach up his teammate nightly. Sin
Saturday’s contest is an important one for both teams. Ottawa can clinch first in the East Division — and home field for the conference final — with a win while Hamilton must claim the victory to keep it’s hopes for top spot alive.
A loss would relegate Hamilton to second in the East. The Ticats would host the West Division crossover team in the conference semifinal Nov. 11.
Ottawa comes in having won its last four games at Tim Hortons Field. But Hamilton has also registered home victories in three of its last four contests.
Masoli is also on a nice roll, having thrown 10 TD passes in his last three starts. Hamilton kicker Lirim Hajrullahu has made all seven field goals this season from 50-plus yards.
Ottawa rookie Lewis Ward has hit a pro football-record 45 field goals in a row. Slotback Brad Sinopoli needs just four catches to break Ben Cahoon’s singleseason record for most receptions by a Canadian (112).