Mitchell Blair
It is certainly not the way he wanted to take the job, but Tino Sunseri is now calling the shots as the Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback as he tries to take them back to the Grey Cup.
Sunseri’s role on the team changed the moment Darian Durant walked back to the dressing room after suffering a torn elbow tendon in Winnipeg last weekend as he ascended from the back-up to the starter.
As he gets ready for his first pro start this Sunday in Hamilton, the 25-year-old is more than ready to do his thing.
“It’s exciting,” Sunseri said. “When you’re a kid growing up wanting to play pro football, you want to start games and put your team in a position to win games. Honestly though, it doesn’t change a lot when it comes to our room. Each day we have been coming in and preparing to be the starter as if we were the guy and helping out whoever was playing.”
Sunseri will make his first start with some experience under his belt. He was 14 for 18 last season and in two appearances this year, he is 13 of 25. He says that experience will help him somewhat as he takes to the field in Hamilton.
“It’s a little bit different scenario with me starting, but you just keep putting in all the preparation by making your checks and making sure everyone is on the same page.” Sunseri stated. “Coach (George) Cortez helps that a lot by holding us to a high level. He has us come in on our off days and makes sure we are doing our film work and downloading stuff to our iPad and making sure when we come in that he’s always grilling us about what we are seeing and how we can verbalize and think the same things which is why we can play at a high level and get in a position where we can win games.”
Cortez is no stranger to being a tutor to young quarterbacks as he has mentored players like Jeff Garcia and Dave Dickenson. Cortez says in his year and a half in Riderville, he has been impressed by one thing in particular.
“He has a strong football background and knowledge,” Cortez said. “A lot of what we do in meetings is understanding why we do things. One question I will always ask the quarterbacks after the game is did you watch it on TV and was there anything there that piqued your interest when it comes to situations or why would you use a timeout or not call one. He’s really into that which is a great trait for the quarterback.”
Sunseri says he has full control of the playbook, but Cortez says he should by this time as a Rider.
“He’s been here a year and a half so he better know what he’s doing,” Cortez uttered. “If he didn’t know what he was doing, that would be bad on his part and bad on our part. We haven’t scaled back our offence any. We go into every game looking to see what we can do against the other team. Yes, the player involved is part of that equation, but no we haven’t scaled back any.”
Head Coach Corey Chamblin is excited at seeing what Sunseri can do Sunday against the Ti-Cats although admittedly he would still have rather Durant calling the snaps. Chamblin says his confidence level is high when it comes to how he will do.
“We have faith in Tino, that’s why he has been a two.” Chamblin told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m excited to see him in this role and what he can do.”
Sunseri is also expressing confidence as he thinks about Sunday’s game at Tim Horton’s Field.
“I’m going to do a lot of work and make sure I’m doing everything I can to keep this team winning.” Sunseri insisted. “I’ll be studying, making sure that everyone has faith in me so that when we go on the field, everyone will know we are competitive and ready to roll.”
While Durant’s injury elevates Sunseri to the starter’s role, the injury also meant the football team had to bring in another quarterback and it looks like they may have found one who comes to Regina with a nice college resume.
Keith Price played four years at the University of Washington. In his time with the Huskies, the 23-year-old completed 64 percent of his passes for almost 9000 yards and 75 touchdowns. Perhaps his most memorable game was the 2011 Alamo Bowl when his team lost a shootout 67-56 to Robert Griffin III and the Baylor Bears. In the game, Price threw for 438 yards and four touchdowns while running for two others. He has been compared to Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson which suits him just fine.
“Russell was a mentor of mine in college. The first day he got there, we’ve been training ever since. He taught me a lot about the game. He taught me to prepare and what it takes to be a champion — and, as you guys know, he’s a champion.” Price declared. “Anytime you’ve got a guy like that who knows what it takes to win, it rubs off on others.’’
While he has only had one practice with the team and his knowledge of the Canadian game is minimal, he likes what he sees.
It’s awesome!” Price proclaimed. “Guys are running. You get to sling the ball around and make plays with your legs and still read coverages. I think that’s the key — just making sure I’m in my playbook and in the film room. That way, I can play faster out here on the field. I’m excited at the chance I’m being given and the organization I’m with.”
