I couldn’t help but have a big smile on my face as I stood on the sideline. It was pouring rain and we still had close to 10,000 people in the stands for our game against the BC Lions.
 
It was an unbelievable feeling to run out on to the field, see the fireworks and see how jacked up the guys were for the game.
 
The score wasn’t in our favour on this night but I learned a lot. I played eight or nine minutes and, in those minutes, I learned so much. Having the chance to play in a live game situation taught me when I have to release the ball and it allowed me to see things that you don’t see in practice.
 
I had the chance to watch the game from the sidelines for the entire first half. I was trying to find out what their defence was like and what throws were available. I wanted to stay calm so, when I got in there, I wasn’t too jumpy.
 
Once I got in there and threw that first pass, I was thinking ‘All right. Let’s do it again, move the sticks and see if we can get down and get a score.’ We were just trying to get first downs and move the ball.
 
The main difference from CIS football to the CFL is the speed. As soon as you get the ball, it feels like the defenders are right there. They break on the ball so quickly. When I played CIS, I would usually have a split-second longer. I had a couple of passes where I was a little late and I thought ‘oh, that might be picked.’ I’m going to learn from that and just practice throwing the ball with better timing.
 
The next step I want to take is just to be a little more consistent with some of the plays and make good throws. I understand a lot of the plays. But the next thing is making the throws, knowing where to put the ball and when to release it.
 
Brad Sinopoli, #15
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