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May 31, 2018

Ciante Evans, Superhero?

Ciante Evans during a game on June 29, 2017 (Photo by David Moll)

He may not be the most vocal defender, but defensive back Ciante Evans lets his play do the talking.

And that play has been exceptional since he joined the Stamps in 2015.

“I don’t know if he’ll open his mouth enough to play the free safety position,” joked defensive backs coach Joshua Bell. “But I think the sky is the limit for him. I’m excited to see him set the standard at the field corner position in our league.”

“He is one of our superheroes in the backend.

“He has a particular set of skills that he uses very well to put fear in our opponents. I’m extremely excited to have him back.”

Evans returns to Calgary after two strong campaigns. During that time, the Fort Worth, Texes, native played in 31 games, recording 95 tackles, seven interceptions, and a pair of forced fumbles.

Now in his fourth year in the Red & White, Evans is focused on finding ways to improve.

“Definitely I want to be better,” he said. “That’s always one of my goals, to improve my overall play and production. There’s nothing specifically, but anything I can bring to the backfield and to my team to help us win.”

The 5-foot-11 cornerback missed the first couple of days of training camp this year due to a minor malady.

But when he finally took to field, he returned with a force.

“He missed the first couple days and then the first day he practiced, he ended up with two interceptions and one to the house,” recalled Bell. “He showed everybody that zero is back and he’s ready to go to work.”

And he’s ready to work wherever the team needs him.

“I just play where they want me to play,” Evans shrugged. “Whatever position they want me to play, it’s my job to be ready because this is a professional organization. It’s my job to be ready to play if that’s what they expect from me. That means the expectation and the bar is set for me and I have to live up to that standard.”

Evans has set the bar extremely high with back-to-back CFL All-Star nods.

And while he’s already known for smothering attacking receivers, he’s got his eye set on becoming more of a ballhawk.

“I’m trying to beat my record last year of five (interceptions), but I know it’s going to be tough if I get game-planned against,” said Evans. “If I’m not going to get as many targets or opportunities, I need to pick and choose from what I see on film and try to be smart about it. I need to be opportunistic and don’t do too much and put my team or teammates in a bad position. Also, just playing with an aggressive style and playing with an aggressive mentality. Just doing whatever I can to make us a better football team.”

Regardless of the number of times team’s passes are directed to Evans’ man, he’ll be ready to make them pay.

That sentiment goes for his quarterbacks, too.

“I don’t think I’m there yet as far as someone you shouldn’t target, but if you do want to come and target my guy, I want to it as difficult as possible,” Evans said.

“It’s football and they’re going to have their game plan and their offence and I just want to make it difficult for anyone, even our own quarterbacks. In training camp we have a lot of up and coming younger guys and I want to help make them better.”