Calgary of Stampeders' offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson, right, instructs quarterback Brad Brad Sinopoli during a practice in Calgary, Alta., Monday, June 27, 2011.The Globe and Mail
The Stampeders have signed Canadian quarterback Brad Sinopoli to help Calgary overcome an injury to starting pivot Drew Tate.
Sinopoli will serve as the third-string quarterback behind Kevin Glenn and Bo Levi Mitchell. It's a second chance for the native of Peterborough, Ont., who was cut at the end of the Stampeders' training camp after losing the third-string job to Mitchell.
"It's always disappointing when you don't make the team but you just have to stay positive," Sinopoli said after the Stampeders practised Monday. "I still worked out and I still threw and I was waiting for an opportunity and luckily, one came."
Sinopoli played at the University of Ottawa for four seasons and won the 2010 Hec Crighton award as the top player in Canadian university football in 2010. He led the CIS in touchdowns (22), yards (2,756), yards per game (344.5) and completions (184) and established school single-season records for attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns.
He was taken by the Stampeders in the fourth round (29th overall) of the 2011 CFL draft.
Tate was injured early in Calgary's 39-36 loss to Toronto on Saturday after a hit from Argos tackle Derrick Summers.
"Drew and I are pretty tight so I felt bad for him, obviously, and I want him to be back healthy as fast as he can," Sinopoli said. "And he was playing well, too. I liked seeing that."