
Justin Dunk
CFL.ca
Nerves are something we all deal with at some point in time. The cure is different for each individual.
But imagine finding one for being paraded around in spandex, poked, prodded and questioned by professional football executives and coaches.
“It was definitely something I have never felt before,” said Ottawa Gee Gees quarterback, Brad Sinopoli. “You can’t replicate this atmosphere.”
Of course E-camp is a chance for players to show their skills to CFL brass, but from personal experience it is not easy on the mind.
Even the highly ranked prospects feel the heat.
“It was a little nerve wracking,” said University of Calgary receiver, Nathan Coehoorn.
Coehoorn is currently ranked number seven on the CFL scouting bureau’s top-15 list of top prospects. The nerves are worth the opportunity though.
“It’s exciting to be here. This is the next step to take it to the pros,” said Coehoorn.
Sinopoli is one of the two Canadian quarterbacks on hand for camp. He has a Hec Crighton award to his name and played in some intense football games but is also feeling the pressure of E-Camp.
“When you first walk in here, it is a little intimidating at first,” said Sinopoli. “Once you meet the guys and kinda get settled in the nerves start going away and the excitement comes and you just enjoy yourself.”
Of course the talented Gee Gee pivot is in a different spot from most of the other camp invitees in trying to overcome the Canadian quarterback stereotype.
But if there were ever a prospect who could get a legitimate shot at quarterback in the CFL, why not Sinopoli?
He possesses a solid arm that will only get stronger. And he can more than pick up a first down with his feet, just ask the Guelph defence whom he burned for 157 yards on nine rushing attempts.
“I want to be that guy that legitimately stays on a team and makes a career out of being a quarterback,” said Sinopoli.
He is a proven winner at the University level, taking his team to the playoffs in both seasons as a starter and his skills could fit perfectly into a CFL offence.
“I want to impress in everything and show overall athleticism,” said Sinopoli.
“I have worked hard to be a quarterback. I have trained hard to be a quarterback, I want to be a quarterback.”
Sinopoli’s mind is certainly in the right place call him stubborn, but he wants a legitimate shot.
“I think about it every single second of the day. Every time I talk to someone they seem to bring it up,” said Sinopoli. “I just want to be someone that proves people wrong when they say that you have no chance.”
The question is whether he will he be given that shot by one of the eight CFL teams.
“If I show enough then I have a legitimate chance. If not then I guess that’s on me,” said Sinopoli.
Of course the defensive backs will be trying to make it hard on the Canadian quarterbacks during the on field portion of E-camp.
“For the on field drills I have to be able to show that I can cover, good footwork, stuff like that,” said Michael Miller from Acadia University. “Make sure that [the scouts] can see that I’m not just somebody that can put some numbers up in the gym.
The Riverview, NB product had interviews with Toronto and Edmonton and felt the glare of CFL team personnel during his allotted time with the teams.
“It was a little nerve wracking,” said Miller. “A bunch of eyes [looking] at you and asking you and you don’t have too much time to think about the questions and try to answer appropriately. You want to be honest with them.”
Miller was asked during one of his interviews, ‘how do people live in Moncton?’
“I said they live in houses. That was a little bit of an icebreaker because they all laughed at me.”
Justin Dunk is a former quarterback for the University of Guelph Gryphons. He is currently the Sports and Health Editor for The Ontarion, the University of Guelph’s Student Newspaper, and the host of GryphTalk Fridays at noon on CFRU 93.3FM.He has also blogged for The Score’s University Rush. Follow Justin on twitter @JDunk12.