Sports

Photo credit: Patrick Doyle, CFL

Brad Sinopoli is understated, but overwhelming. The soft spoken, team-first wide receiver is having a season for the ages. Not only is he on pace for career highs in receiving, but Sinopoli could also finish 2018 with a place in the CFL history books.

With a 6-3 record, Ottawa has officially arrived at the midway mark of the 2018 season. Because of his tremendous first half, Sinopoli is currently third in the CFL in receiving yards (775), second in yards after the catch (286) and first in receptions (63). If Sinopoli continues his pace, he could set Redblacks franchise records in both yards and receptions, passing the marks set by Greg Ellingson last season.

Perhaps the most impressive stat for Sinopoli is the sheer number of receptions he has brought in thus far. Not only has he tallied more receptions than anyone in the league but by a fair margin. Sinopoli has 12 more catches than the second-ranked pass catcher, Brandon Banks. He is on pace for a total of 126 receptions by season’s end, which would tie Sinopoli for the second most in a single season in CFL history.

An interesting wrinkle to Sinopoli’s outstanding season is the type of passing offense he plays in. The Redblacks utilize virtually all of their receivers on a game-to-game basis. Both Ellingson and Diontae Spencer rank in the top 10 in receiving yards. Even young starters R.J. Harris and Dominique Rhymes have emerged as legitimate receiving threats over the past few weeks. Still, Sinopoli is the engine that makes the Ottawa passing game go.

The offense is clicking? Throw it to Sinopoli. The offense is struggling to move the ball? Throw it to Sinopoli. Late in a tight ballgame and need a clutch play? Throw it to Sinopoli. It always seems to be a sound strategy to target the former University of Ottawa Gee-Gee quarterback. The Redblacks rely on Sinopoli whether they need to move the ball down the field, move the sticks or reach the end zone.

If you could not tell already by Sinopoli’s 63 receptions, he has been a ball magnet this season. Boasting arguably the league’s best hands, Sinopoli has gained the reputation as being Mr. reliable in Ottawa. Throw the ball in his general direction and there is a great chance that Sinopoli will come down with it. According to TSN’s stats aficionado Derek Taylor, Sinopoli leads the CFL in catches on inaccurately thrown balls with six.

The 30-year-old has been a star since joining the Redblacks in 2015, including gaining the reputation as one of the CFL’s top Canadians. In his three and a half years with Ottawa, Sinopoli has accumulated numerous honours. He was named the Most Outstanding Canadian of the 2015 season and the Most Outstanding Canadian in the Redblacks’ victory in the 104th Grey Cup. Along with Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris, Sinopoli has emerged as a contender for his second Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 2018.

Sinopoli’s Redblacks are on bye this week, giving them two weeks to prepare for their third and final matchup with the Montreal Alouettes. He could be knocking at CFL history’s doorstep by November but one thing is for certain, you won’t hear about it from Brad Sinopoli.