Q & A with Terrell Sinkfield

It’s NFL fishing season and Wally Buono has landed one of the biggest catches available in Terrell Sinkfield Jr. The receiver/returner was highly coveted following his release from the Minnesota Vikings and his skill set is expected to be a major asset in the Leos’ dynamic offence. Last season in Hamilton, Sinkfield Jr. hauled in 69 catches for 1,030 yards and six touchdowns, while returning eight punts for 115 yards. He has been added to the 46-man roster for Friday’s pivotal West Division showdown in Edmonton. One thing is also certain: Sinkfield adds yet another intriguing option to an already stacked Lions’ receiving corps.

Matt Baker of BCLions.com sat down with the Lions’ newest addition and found out a few interesting tidbits!

Baker: I found this interesting: You hail from Minnesota, AKA ‘The State of Hockey,’ but have never been to a game?

Sinkfield: I am not a big hockey fan, unfortunately. I have never even been ice skating to be honest and I am from Minnesota where they put ice rinks in every park in the winter. You can also go on the lake because we have 10,000 of them. If I were to skate, I’d be fast with no brakes (laughs) and wouldn’t be able to stop. Maybe we can make that happen one of these days, I can go ice skating.

Baker: Speaking of your home state, how was the training camp experience with the Vikings?

Sinkfield: It was a great opportunity for me. Just being back home again and seeing Coach (Mike) Zimmer, a great coach, and another organization runs things. They treated me well there. Unfortunately things didn’t work out there, but now I am here.

Baker: Adrian Peterson has been a big part of that franchise the past several years. What was it like to be around him?

Sinkfield: He’s a nice dude. I sat next to him in meetings and stuff and he’s cool. He’s a beast on the field and watching him in practice was amazing. Prayers up to him and everything. I know he had a knee injury last night. It looked serious when he was coming off the field, but hope AP is all right.

Baker: On to your current squad. You’re a pretty versatile guy. What can you bring to this Lions offense? 

Sinkfield: Whatever they need to use me as. Whether they see me as a deep threat stretching the defense, putting me in at the outside slot or handing the ball off to me. I’ll even play defense, I have been practicing corner. ( laughs) Wherever they need me. I am just trying to be a utility player.

Baker: What has impressed you most about this Lions squad?

Sinkfield: Just the atmosphere here. It’s a winning one. I’ve been fortunate enough to make it to the Grey Cup in my first year in Hamilton. The winning atmosphere we had there, nearly winning it and then coming within a game of the Grey Cup last year, I see that same type of opportunity here. The same team atmosphere. I know that’s important.

Baker: That Grey Cup at BC Place two years ago was pretty exciting. Although you and the Tiger-Cats came up short, was it a personal highlight to make it that far in your first year up here?

Sinkfield: Yeah, it was a blessing. I hope to bring that same fortune here because I ended up in the situation that I am in right now, even though this time I am coming from the NFL. That year I was released by Toronto and picked up by Hamilton and we ended up making that run. Hopefully I can bring that extra juice here, only reverse the ending!

Baker: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make for the Canadian game?

Sinkfield: First of all, the waggle, which of course is starting behind the line of scrimmage and then running before the snap of the ball. That was the major thing. And then just learning the defense; just learning how it works and figuring out which holes were going to be open with that extra man.

Baker: You have proven yourself as a pretty good return man. How excited are you to work with one of the best in the business in Chris Rainey?

Sinkfield: I am looking forward to it a lot. I did a lot of YouTube watching before I came here and Rainey was on the top of my list. I watched a lot of his high school, college and a few of his BC runs. He’s a great returner, man. Anytime you can get the ball in his hands it’s pretty dangerous. I look forward to getting out here and hopefully getting some returns back there with him. Luckily I got another experience like it in Hamilton with Brandon Banks, another premiere returner in the league. I am just blessed to be here right now and going to soak up everything.

Baker: What is your secret talent?

Sinkfield: I am the best NBA 2K Player. Na, I’m just playing with you.. I don’t have have a secret like that. I think I pretty much showcase all my talents on the field.

Baker: You played your college football at Northern Iowa. Not many up here would know much about the Panthers program, but they have won 33 conference titles. What was it like to play there?

Sinkfield: It was a great experience. Hopefully their name is getting recognized a bit more, especially Division 1 AA as a whole. The number two draft pick in the NFL, Carson Wentz ( North Dakota State) came out of there and he is excelling. You have to have a chip on your shoulder because you are overlooked and I have been going through that my whole life. Minnesota is overlooked, and like you said, it’s a hockey state.

Baker: Your first CFL touchdown was actually in game against the Lions on August 14th, 2014 in Toronto. What else do you remember about it?

Sinkfield: My girlfriend Matisse was at the game so she got to see my first CFL touchdown. That was the biggest moment for me. She was the good luck charm.

Baker: Other than playing football, what is the most exciting thing about being in Vancouver?

Sinkfield: I have to say the weather. It’s cold in Minnesota. I think it actually snowed there today. Just kidding! But yeah, the warmer weather for sure.

Matt Baker:mbaker@bclions.com