CHICK IS READY TO GO

John Chick at Roughriders training camp on Monday.

Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

It was bad enough that Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end John Chick had to live through the most frustrating season of his young CFL career in 2008.
Now he's having to relive it.

"I would say [that bothers me] more than anything," Chick said after Monday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "A fan comes up and goes, 'Don't get injured!' It's like, well, I was planning on it about Week 3. It's just kind of silly.

"We had 20 to 30 injures last year and the last thing you want to think about is injuries because that's what leads to injuries. Nobody planned on getting injured and don't plan on it again."
Last season, Chick's plight was symbolic of the entire Riders team, which endured so many injuries that it could well have turned the dressing room into a medical ward.

Chick alone missed a total of 10 games due to three different injuries: a torn medial collateral ligament (five games), compound fracture to the ring finger on his right hand (four games) and shoulder strain (one game).

The hand problem came in his first game back from the knee ailment. When he returned, he had to wear a cast.

"It was a long drawn-out season," Chick admitted. "I felt pretty good going into it and suffered a few different injuries. It was frustrating to say the least. But it happens."

Chick was pegged for a breakout season in 2008 after being named the Riders' outstanding rookie the previous year. Known for a high-rev motor that's never on idle, Chick contributEed two sacks in the 2007 West Division final, followed by a forced fumble and a sack in Saskatchewan's Grey Cup victory.

Despite his setback last season, the Riders insist they're not concerned about Chick, apparently chalking it up to one of those football anomalies that can't be predicted.

"I have no concern about his durability whatsoever," said head coach Ken Miller, who's eager to see what a healthy Chick can accomplish. "He is clearly special and I expect him to improve over what he has shown us he can do."

Ditto for Chick, who says he feels great and is ready to make an impact in 2009.
"I'm looking forward to pressuring the quarterback all year; that's what I excel at," said Chick, who had three sacks in eight games last season after recording five in 13 games in 2007. "I look at this season as a breakout opportunity. I feel I'm a playmaker and can do a lot of things."

Without mentioning specifics, Chick he has set some goals. Asked if one is to be among the sack leaders, he said it was "somewhat of a goal" but downplayed the value of individual stats.

"With our defensive scheme now, you're trying to get the ball back, not so much the kill-the-quarterback kind of mentality," Chick said. "You still want to let him know you're there ... but we're trying to get the ball back on defence, it doesn't matter how we do it."

-- Regina Leader-Post
© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service