Article content continued

“I’ve just been doing both and fine-tuning all my skills so I’m ready for whatever,” Gardner said. “I’m willing to do whatever any team wants me to do. I throw all the time and I run routes. Whatever a team wants me to do, I’m excited to do it. I enjoy playing football. I’ve been a football player all my life.”

Unemployed last year after being cut by the Steelers, Gardner first heard from the Stamps a couple of months ago and quickly agreed to the opportunity.

While his training camp spot seems secure at this point, everyone is interested in seeing what Gardner looks like during Sunday’s pair of practices.

“He’s a big man, a big target, good hands, so we’re going to see what he brings to the table and how he competes against the other receivers here,” Hufnagel said.

That’s the exact reason Gardner is open-minded when it comes to a new position and a new league.

He knows he simply needs to compete and be on the field. Somewhere.

“Nobody wants a guy that got hurt with no film, a second-year guy, so it’s a chance to get some film, get a chance to play, and make an impact in the CFL,” Gardner said. “I was a pretty good open space player in college and with the Steelers, so I’m excited to get a little bigger field and get a chance to work.”

Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson helped guide Sinopoli, so he knows the challenges Gardner will face.

“He’s got the good size and a lot of times a quarterback can transition over because of his IQ,” Dickenson said. “He knows what he’d like the receivers to do, and now it’s if he can actually translate and see it from a different viewpoint, sitting in zones and understanding coverages, that sort of stuff.”

The Stamps won’t be shifting him back and forth or trying to turn Gardner into some sort of offensive weapon in the Kordell Stewart or Antwaan Randle El mould.

“Most quarterbacks want to play that position and they’re not going to want to change,” Dickenson said. “But once you do commit to something, you’ve got to really jump in with both feet. Otherwise, it’s not fair on either side. I think we’ve been honest with him that he’s here to compete at the receiver position.”