Roughriders Stevie Baggs and John in green.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
REGINA — Stevie Baggs and John Chick have emerged as more than defensive ends with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
They are bookends whose individual styles and personalities complement each other. That chemistry is evident on the field and in the CFL’s statistics package. Baggs leads the league with seven sacks and Chick is tied for second with six. Their totals have helped the Riders share the league lead of 23 sacks with the Montreal Alouettes.
“We were very competitive during training camp and that has led to us being competitive on the field,’’ Baggs said after Wednesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “John doesn’t want me to outdo him and I don’t want him to outdo me. That’s good because we’re not doing it in a selfish manner. We’re doing it within the scheme the coaches have asked us to run. If we continue to work and establish a relationship with the whole defence, we’ll be fine.’’
Their roles in the defensive scheme have produced individual honours for Chick and Baggs. On Wednesday, Baggs was named the defensive player-of-the-month for August after recording 13 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, one pass knockdown, and a special-teams tackle.
Chick was named the defensive player-of-the-week in Week 7 after recording a two sacks and recovering a fumble in the Riders’ 33-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Baggs was the defensive player-of-the-week in Week 1 and Week 8.
Chick was named the defensive player-of-the-week in Week 7 after recording a two sacks and recovering a fumble in the Riders’ 33-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Baggs was the defensive player-of-the-week in Week 1 and Week 8.
“They are really happy for each other,’’ said defensive line coach Mike Scheper. “That’s because of the friendly competitiveness that they have to bring out the best in each other. They work well together and they are great teammates.’’
The personalities of Chick and Baggs couldn’t be more different. Chick, who is in his third season with the Riders, is quiet and soft-spoken. Baggs, who is in his second season, is more outgoing and thrives in the spotlight. Baggs’s personality also leads to some light-hearted ribbing from his teammates, which he takes in stride.
“It’s because I’m so emotional that it tends to get looked upon as me being hyper-sensitive,’’ said Baggs. “I love the game. I’m emotional and because of that the guys give me a hard time. I know deep down that they all love me.’’
Chick was reluctant to talk about the individual accomplishments of the defensive ends. He knows that the sack totals catch the eye of media and fans but Chick feels those numbers are more reflective of the defensive scheme.
“I want to keep things as a defensive line because Stevie and I couldn’t do things we do without the inside guys doing the things that they do,’’ said Chick. “It’s not just the two of us.’’
The two were evident in the Riders’ 34-25 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 21. Baggs had 10 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Chick had two tackles and a sack.
The two were evident in the Riders’ 34-25 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 21. Baggs had 10 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Chick had two tackles and a sack.
“I hope that game is not a one-trick pony and that the trend continues because they were major contributors to the success of the defence,’’ said Scheper. “I think that (Als quarterback) Anthony Calvillo hasn’t felt that kind of pressure all season long.’’
Scheper cautions that the 4-4 Riders aren’t at the halfway point of the season. They’ll reach that when the play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-5) in Sunday’s Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium.
“I had no idea that they would be this good this far,’’ said Scheper. “But we have a lot of season left, so I hope that it continues.’’
“I had no idea that they would be this good this far,’’ said Scheper. “But we have a lot of season left, so I hope that it continues.’’
Blue Bombers running back Fred Reid was the offensive player-of-the-month. Toronto Argonauts kicker Justin Medlock was the special-teams player-of-the-month and Alouettes safety Matthieu Proulx was the top Canadian.
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