Trumaine Sykes at Saskatchewan Roughriders practice on Wednesday.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post
REGINA — Trumaine "Joe" Sykes turned to the source when seeking advice concerning his first regular-season CFL start at defensive end with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Sykes spent a great deal of time during Wednesday's practice at Mosaic Stadium talking with John Chick. It seemed like a natural conversation considering Sykes is starting in place of Chick, who is sidelined for two to four weeks with a separated left shoulder, when the Riders (2-2) play the host Calgary Stampeders (2-2) on Saturday.
"He's helping me out and I look up to him,'' said Sykes. "Basically he's told me to relax, let the game come to me and just play.''
Sykes, who signed as a free agent with the Riders in January, has been on the practice roster for four games. He also spent that time watching and learning from Chick and Stevie Baggs, the other starting defensive end. With the injury to Chick, Sykes is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase his talents.
"Basically I want to show that I belong on the field,'' said Sykes, a 26-year-old native of Grenada, Miss. "I know that I will be nervous for a split second, then everything will go away. Then I will feel like I'm in the backyard playing ball.''
The Riders gain size on the defensive line with the addition of Sykes, who is 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds. Chick is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. The Roughriders do lose experience because Chick's in his third CFL season.
Chick's importance to the Riders was evident in Saturday's 38-33 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. Chick was injured when Lance Frazier returned an interception 70 yards for a first-quarter touchdown that provided the Riders with a 15-0 lead.
The Riders jumped ahead 22-0 but weren't able to hang on. One of the reasons for the collapse was Chick's absence and the Riders' inability to put pressure on Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray.
"We definitely like having John Chick healthy and available at any cost,'' said Mike Scheper, the Riders' defensive line coach.
Sykes has kept sharp during practice as a member of the scout team. His participation and effort in that role has impressed the Riders' coaching staff.
"He has taken every repetition for our (scout) team,'' said Scheper. "He has been staying active and a part of things. He has also been at every meeting, so he knows what's going on. I'm thrilled that he's getting this opportunity.''
Sykes made his way to the Riders after an award-winning 2008 season with the af2's Green Bay Blizzard. Sykes led the af2 — the Arena Football League's satellite loop — with 22 tackles for losses, eight forced fumbles, and tied for the league lead with five fumble recoveries.
He was named the af2's defensive player-of-the-year and defensive lineman-of-the-year.
It's a big step from playing in hockey rinks to playing on the CFL field but it's one that Riders head coach Ken Miller is looking forward to seeing Sykes make.
He was named the af2's defensive player-of-the-year and defensive lineman-of-the-year.
It's a big step from playing in hockey rinks to playing on the CFL field but it's one that Riders head coach Ken Miller is looking forward to seeing Sykes make.
"He's big, strong and very powerful,'' Miller said. "I'm anxious to see him in game action because he has a lot of potential.''
Sykes recorded 10 sacks as a senior with Southern University before signing with the NFL's Washington Redskins. He played one game with Washington in 2006 before released prior to the 2007 season.
After a season in the af2, Sykes finds himself with an opportunity to prove himself on a larger field.
"I can bring toughness, aggressiveness and be nasty to the ball,'' said Sykes. "I'm just hungry and ready to get out there and win for the team.''
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