Mitchell Blair
Its news quarterbacks and offensive coordinators across the CFL don’t need to hear. That news is Riders defensive end John Chick is definitely back and he may be better than what he was when he left.
The 31-year-old product of Gillette, Wyoming has arguably been the best defensive player in the league over the first month of the season. He leads the CFL in sacks with 6 and is showing signs of the player he was in 2009 when he was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in helping the team get to the Grey Cup with a monstrous 11 sack season.
Chick can’t say if he is playing at the same level he was five years ago, but he will say he is on the top of his game right now.
“I don’t know how you compare that season to this one, but I will say I feel like I’m playing some of my best ball.” Chick said. “I’m healthy and that’s a big part of it, but I feel good and I’m having a lot of fun out there.”
After winning the defensive player of the year trophy, Chick decided to try his luck in the National Football League signing a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. He ended up going to Jacksonville and was just starting to make a name for himself when he suffered a gruesome knee injury midway through the 2012 season. That injury in a way led him back to Saskatchewan as he re-joined the team just as training camp was starting last year and it didn’t take him long to start making an impact as he had eight quarterback sacks in helping the team to their 4th Grey Cup Championship last November. He says last year was a year to learn the game again, but he came into this season feeling rejuvenated.
“I got here late last year even though I didn’t really miss any practice.” Chick said. “I had a full year of off-season training, a full season of focus, my family was back with me and I feel young again. I’m not saying I felt out of shape last year, but I just never felt like I was the guy I could be.”
Head Coach Corey Chamblin has certainly noticed Chick’s play to start the season. Chamblin said with the team facing some uncertainty going into last Saturday’s win against Toronto, he asked the Utah State product to address the team before the game.
“I love the way he plays the game, “Chamblin said with a big smile on his face. “I love the way he approaches the game and I love the way he does everything. He is a guy that should have played in the 80’s because he’s just tough.
Chamblin also feels Chick is feeling more comfortable around his surroundings for a second time.
“When you look at last year compared to this year, he wasn’t coming back to the same team that he left.” Chamblin said. “He’s more comfortable with the coaches this year, he’s more comfortable with his teammates and he’s more comfortable with the scheme.”
While Chick has had a monstrous start to this season, he is quick to share the credit.
“The d-line has been working great and we know what each other is doing.” Chick stated with a smirk. “We’re getting a couple of extra seconds because the linebackers and d-backs are making it tough for the quarterback to make his throws and that makes it a little easier for me and the other guys on the line.”
Chick is more than ready to add to his sack total against Henry Burris and the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Saturday night when the team makes its first return to the Nation’s Capital since the Renegades folded after the 2006 season. Game time Saturday is 5:00 (7:00 ET) from TD Place with the Riders looking to start a quick two game road trip on the right note and improve their record to 3-2.
