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There is Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche type of fast, but Bugatti’s are on a speed level all their own.
A similar comparison can be made between your average pro football player and Terrell Sinkfield. Skill position players need to be fast on the field, but Sinkfield is in an elite class, Bugatti-level if you will. Back in 2013 at the University of Minnesota’s pro day, Sinkfield was clocked with a ridiculous 4.19, 40-yard dash.
Some have disputed the time being legitimate, but the newest Ticat confirmed it’s not fiction.
“That’s a fact,” Sinkfield asserted.
“My first 40 was 4.27 and it’s funny because nobody ever questions that one. Then I ran the second 40 and that was the 4.19 time.”
Hamilton got a close look at Sinkfield’s elite speed in the pre-season. On June 19 the Ticats travelled to Toronto to play their final game before the regular schedule began. Sinkfield caught five passes for 100 yards and ripped off a 46-yard punt return as well. And from that point on Hamilton kept a close eye on him. So when he was let go by the Argos on August 26 the Ticats were ready to pounce.
“The same day I got released from Toronto they called me literally hours after I was released and told me they were highly interested in me,” Sinkfield explained. “There were a couple other teams talking to me, but I felt like Hamilton was the best opportunity for me because they really have a need for me here.”
Also, it helped that Ticats star linebacker Simoni Lawrence was on the team. Lawrence lives in Minnesota and Sinkfield is a native Minnesotan, so Sinkfield and Lawrence knew each other and during this past off-season trained together.
“Once Toronto released me, Simoni was calling and texting me everyday. He was the biggest factor in getting me over here, really,” Sinkfield said.
“Oh yeah that’s my boy,” Lawrence said. “I knew he was playing in Toronto and when he got released I just told him about our team. I thought he would be a good fit here.”
Lawrence refers to Sinkfield as his ‘little son’ and said his ultra fast 40-time is real.
“Just from training with him I knew he had elite speed – one of the fastest players in the CFL. He’s got a big body – good target. I feel like his game translates to the CFL.”
As Sinkfield gets set for a likely Ticats debut, it appears he will handle return duties and possibly see some snaps on offence.
“They got a couple plays here and there for me to take the top off the defence,” Sinkfield said. “That’s pretty much why they brought me out here – they needed the extra speed, so we’ll see what they call.”
Like driving a Bugatti, Sinkfield will be looking for his high gear on Sunday.
Stopping Riders’ rush attack
Saskatchewan brings the CFL’s best rushing offence into the matchup with Hamilton in Week 12. The Riders average a league-high 150.7 yards per game on the ground. Anthony Allen, Will Ford and Jerome Messam all tote the rock in a three-headed Rider backfield.
“Allen’s a really good back, he runs hard and can catch. And the other guys compliment him well,” Lawrence said. “They all get their chance and whoever is hot and picking up the most yards gets the carries.”
Hamilton’s leading tackler (43) believes there are two imperative aspects to slowing down the Riders run game.
“We have to get off their holds, their blockers clamp on and they don’t let you go. You have to use your hands well to get off,” Lawrence said. “And I feel like if we tackle well we should be fine. We can’t let them get extra yards – their backs do a good job of falling forward and breaking tackles.”
Lawrence expects Saskatchewan to lean on the run even more with quarterback Tino Sunseri making his first career start for the Riders. Hamilton’s defence is licking their chops with some fresh meat behind centre.
“We need to do a good job on first down stopping the run and force him to make plays,” Lawrence said.
A raucous Hamilton crowd at Tim Hortons Field will certainly make it tough on the young, visiting pivot.
“We really have a noise advantage when we’re on defence. Our team loves it. It’s our home and people go crazy,” Lawrence said. “We’re undefeated at our new stadium and that’s something we’re trying to hold onto.”
The Ticats will be looking to use anything possible to get an edge as the team tries for their first win against a Western opponent. Hamilton is 0-6 against foes from outside their division, so it’s time for Hamilton to finally conquer the West.
