John Chick
is back in Riderville
There has been no end to the excitement surrounding defensive end John Chick’s return the Saskatchewan Roughriders. After a three-year stint in the NFL, Chick decided to return to the squad that he registered 19 sacks with between 2007 and 2009 and on which he was named the league’s most outstanding defensive player in 2009.
Here are some of Chick’s comments to the media following his return to Saskatchewan. On his decision to return to Saskatchewan: “It’s home. I had three great years here. I absolutely loved my time here. The Rider Pride and the community, the people here — it just makes it all the better. I look forward to it.”
On being back with his old team: “I’m back where I’m having fun. I love doing what I’m doing. I’m back with some guys that I know and love and we’re on our journey for the 101st Grey Cup. It’s great … I’m where I want to be and I’m happy. I really wanted to be a part of the first meetings and get in on the first practice so I’m glad we got everything done in time.”
On leaving the NFL behind for now: “I’m not disappointed to leave. It’s one of those things. rou could wait to get picked up — and there’s a number of free agents out there still — by preseason, midseason and I’ve seen that. For me, I wanted to get to playing football and I wanted to get to where I knew that I would have a great time doing that.”
On how his family influenced
him to return: “It wasn’t just me, but my wife too. It was kind of a journey, “What should we do?” She was all for the Rider deal and I’m like, “Man, let’s just do it. No more waiting. Let’s just go where we can play now.” My family will come up here for the summer, for sure, and we’ll have time to look around and figure out school and those kinds of things.”
On how he has changed since leaving the Roughriders in 2010: “I’m just older tlaughs]. I’ve got a few more kids and have had some great experiences with some great people in our life and we just feel very blessed by everything we’ve had and all our opportunities that we’ve had, but we’re very happy to be where we are now.”
On the status of his right knee, in which he tore his patella tendon late in the 2011 NFL season: “Great. Which one? tlaughs]. Knees are good, body’s feeling great and I’m looking forward to Week 1.”
On joining a defensive line already loaded with players like Ricky Foley
and Keith Shologan: “I always look to the now, and right now I don’t see anything else but potential, not only with me and Foley, but with our interior guys. We have the potential for a great defensive line. Each day we’re working at getting better and working on our chemistry that we are trying to build.”
I’m back where I’m having fun. I love doing what I’m doing. I’m back with some guys that I know and love and we’re on our journey for the 101st Grey Cup.”
Other voices
Corey Chamblin (head coach): “We’re excited … He’s a strong player — not going to be flashy, but he’s going to work on every down, so I’m excited to have him here because he has that motor. He has that determination. He’s the type player on the front line that we need and I’m glad to have him.”
Darian Durant (quarterback): “It’s good to have him back. Our defence was always at the top of the league with sacks and pressures with him here. It’s good to have that motor and his presence. Hopefully we can get back to our defensive ways around here.”
Keith Shologan (defensive tackle): “When he was here, he had a non-stop motor that just went. When he was in the NFL it was the same thing and it was why he stuck around down there for three years. He towers over guys and he brings that mentality. He’s just a strong, physical guy.”
Todd Howard (defensive line coach): “I didn’t know a lot about him, but I found out quite a bit from other coaches and watching him on film. He’s a high-energy and high-motor guy and you can’t have enough of those type of players.”