IT’S TINO TIME
REGINA (CP) – Tino Sunseri has a lot more homework to do these days.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ backup quarterback has been thrust into the starter’s role thanks to a season-ending injury to Darian Durant.
Sunseri is expected to get his first CFL start on Sunday in Hamilton when the Riders take on the Tiger-Cats (11 am Sask time, TSN, CKRM Rider Radio Network).
“When you’re a kid growing up, you want to play pro football and you want to start games and you want to try and put your team in a position to win games,” Sunseri said after the team’s practice on Wednesday.
“This doesn’t really change from the way our quarterback room is, though. From the beginning of the year we have all been coming in and preparing as if we were the starter, making sure that we could help out whoever it was that was playing.”
Sunseri added that whether he’s the backup or the starter, his preparation doesn’t change drastically.
He’ll still put in his hours studying game film, he’ll download video to his iPad and scour it a little more when he gets home at the end of the day. He’ll meet with offensive co-ordinator George Cortez and fellow quarterback Seth Doege, and they’ll talk about what they plan to call in certain game situations.
“I’m going to make sure I’m in here studying as much as I can, making sure I’m putting in the extra work and making sure that everybody has that faith in me so that whenever we step on the field that we’re going to be competitive and our offence is able to put points on the board,” Sunseri said.
Sunseri, in his second season with the Riders, has seen limited playing time this season. He stepped in for an injured Durant in the Riders’ Aug. 24 game against the B.C. Lions and threw a touchdown pass that stood as the game-winning score.
His most recent action was this past Sunday in Winnipeg after Durant exited with an elbow injury. The Riders held on to defeat the Blue Bombers 30-24, which was Saskatchewan’s seventh straight victory that pushed the team into second place in the West Division with an 8-2 record.
Cortez joked and said the one big difference between Sunseri and Durant is game experience, but later added he wasn’t concerned given Sunseri’s brief moments this season.
“I’m sure it gives him confidence,” Cortez said. “On top of that, it gives confidence to the guys he’s playing with. You’re not as worried had it been a guy who hadn’t played at all, who could actually call a play in the huddle and get the snap and all that.”
The Riders picked up another quarterback Wednesday, signing Keith Price. The 23-year-old California native joins Saskatchewan after attending the Seattle Seahawks rookie camp. Price played four seasons for the University of Washington Huskies, and was originally signed by the defending Super Bowl champions in June as an undrafted free agent.
Sunseri certainly has the football pedigree working in his favour. Not only is he a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Penn., the same institution that boasts such alumni as NFL quarterbacks Dan Marino and Marc Bulger, but Sunseri’s family is deeply immersed in the game as well.
Sal Sunseri, Tino’s father, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1982 NFL draft and later coached with the Carolina Panthers for six seasons. He is now the defensive line coach with the Florida State Seminoles. Tino’s brother Vinnie Sunseri, is a defensive back in his rookie season with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.
11:10 pm.
Hi Rod while I listened to a portion of the cage today I didn't hear the opening until just now on the replay at 11pm. My answer to your question is Sunseri. I've followed the Riders since the days of Atchison and Whitehouse but I guess I'm not a football fan because I can honestly say that 10 days ago I didn't know who Ray Rice even was.
BB
The loss of DD was very bad. The way the Riders were so ill prepared is far worse. For a team that aspires to elite status to be caught so poorly prepared for this eventuality is unforgivable. Sunseri has like 40 plays from scrimmage to his credit, and he is going to replace Durant. The truth is some kool aid drinkers actually think this is going to happen. This is the old back-up QB being the most popular player on the team thing. We went through this several times in DD's maturation process.Any seasons ticket holder or fan should be… Read more »
Hey anonymous, what would you have had the 'Riders do? We lost the old backup due to his desire to pursue free agency and also due to pressures from the expansion draft.
Taman and co. recruited 2 new quality quarterbacks as backups, and just signed another highly touted prospect we have had the rights to for a few years (you know planning ahead). The silent majority is behind the 'Riders 100%.
You are dreaming if you think any veteran QB's were or are available that would be better than Tino.
HIGHLY TOUTED = ARENA FOOTBALL
Yes. I am absolutely disgusted in the Riders as well. I mean, we've only been to the cup 4 times in 7 years and won it twice. What is management doing! And this year was horrible as well. I mean 8 – 2, gross. (Insert eye roll here) Give your head a shake buddy. If there is Durant haters, then I would consider myself a Durant lover. I am devastated to see him go down, but as an optimist I like the fact by the end of te year well know if Tino is the future. This injury will let… Read more »
how much playing time did Zac Collaros have before he replaced Ricky Ray? I bet it was minimal and he did O.K. Even Drew Willy did alright when he replaced D.D. last year and even the year before, granted he did not win every game, but he was succesful enough that Winnipeg annointed him their starting Q.B. when they signed him. Before all the doom and gloom naysayers hurl themselves off the cliffs like a bunch of lemmings remember the supporting cast that Tino has and let's see what he can do. Remember he only has to manage the game… Read more »
I think we're about to find out that the Riders are a pretty good football team. Bo Levi over west has won quite a few games because of his team and I see no reason that Tino can't do the same thing. He isn't going to put the team on his back and carry them like Darian did in the playoffs last year, but I'm thinking with our 8/2 start Tino may be able to guide them to a home playoff game and then who knows.
Old Cuss
Every one who is questioning why the Riders didn’t offer more to Willy:
Who cares if he left, Sunseri out performed Willy in the Riders final regular season game against Edmonton. Sunseri will do just fine.
I would not be surprised to see Kerry Joseph brought in, next week, as insurance in case Tino gets nicked in the next 6 weeks.
And quit his job with the New Orleans Saints?
How did I miss that one? Good for KJ. Sometimes good things happen to good people.
I heard kent Austin is coming back to be the QB…
According to Wikipedia, Kerry Joseph is employed by the Parisi Speed School and was a training camp intern at the Saints Training Camp. He's not listed on the Saints employee list, so if that's the case, I defer back to my original post. He's a half season away from the game and should be able to perform better than Seth Deoge due to his experience.
Half you guys are idiots.
The other half know this post wasn't intended for them.
If you are wondering who the idiots are then you are probably one of them.
Mike D
Rally driver is captain of the idiots. Tino hasn't even started a game and he's already getting thrown under the bus
Read my posts again, anon, I said IF Tino is nicked. I like Tino Sunseri. I hope he plays every down this season. He is composed, bright, has good leadership skills and throws a very nice pass. I think he will do well, but one awkward hit and the Riders have 2 guys that have ZERO CFL experience. There are potentially 11 games left this year with no certainty that DD will be back until 2015.
If Tino ends up on the 6 day injured list, then I guess we cross our fingers and hope that the next man up – Doege – can perform. He will be the only one left who knows the offensive system. If he fails, then I guess its trade John Chick to Ottawa for Hank.
One more dork suggesting a trade for Henry Burris. Even if its a joke its a dumb joke and has zero humour. The hatred that Rider Nation has for Henry Burris would never allow him to play here again. Plus to suggest one of the favourite Rider players to be traded away is ludicrous. Obviously you are a Bomber fan! Also Burris isnt worth 200K little loan the 450K he's getting.
The alleged "hatred" for Burris is a myth propagated by a those who know, or care not to know, little about what caused his departure from Riderland all those years ago. Hank has been good for the CFL and has brought a bit of fun to games when he comes to town. Of the thousands that yell "HEENNRRY" I am certain that it is done not with malice, but to throw an opposing player off his game.
Hank had his run, it's long gone and he should be long gone too. However Ottawa management thought he could help and Hank's agent really stuck it to them, two years @ 450K. We don't need a shell of what he once was physically and he never did play like a savvy veteran. I stress, we don't need him.