CHICK TO DRESS UP FOR AWARDS

By Murray McCormick, Leader-
CALGARY — John Chick plans on dressing for success.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end will swap his green and white jersey for a blue suit for Wednesday's CFL Player Awards. Chick, who is the West Division's nominee for defensive player-of-the-year, also plans on adding some colour to his wardrobe.

"I'm going to look for a green tie,'' Chick said Wednesday after the Riders completed their first on-field workout at McMahon Stadium in preparation for Sunday's Grey Cup game against the Montreal Alouettes. "I know that I will look sharp.''

Chick is the Riders' lone finalist for the player awards. Montreal's Anwar Stewart is the East Division's nominee for the defensive player-of-the-year award. Jearld Baylis was the last Rider to win the league-wide award. Baylis earned the honour in 1993.

Stewart and Chick are similarly sized defensive ends. Stewart is 6-foot-2 and 251 pounds. Chick is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. They are both CFL all-stars. Chick feels those are the main similarities between the two players.
"I play a more physical game and he's more of a finesse player,'' said Chick. "I would love to be compared to any of the great players in the league.''

Chick has earned those comparisons in his three seasons in the CFL. In 2007, Chick dressed for 13 games and recorded five sacks. He had a forced fumble and a sack in the Riders' 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2007 Grey Cup game.

In 2008, Chick battled through an injury-marred season while dressing for nine games and recording three sacks. This season, Chick has 11 sacks while dressing for 17 games.

"He's an up-and-coming guy,'' Stewart said Wednesday. "My hat goes off to him and (Riders defensive end) Stevie Baggs and (Montreal defensive end) John Bowman. They all had a really good year.''

Josh Bourke, Montreal's third-year left offensive tackle, has also been impressed by Chick. Chick played two regular-season games this year against the Alouettes and recorded two sacks.

"John is very strong and for a big guy he's very quick,'' said Bourke. "He's versatile and has many pass-rushing moves. He's among the most solid defensive ends in the league.''

Chick and Stewart earned the nod for the defensive player-of-the-year award without leading the league in sacks. Baggs, Bowman and Ricky Foley of the B.C. Lions tied for the league lead with 12 sacks. Chick was fourth and Stewart was seventh with nine.

"Everyone looks at sacks and assumes that the best defensive end is the one who has the most,'' said Bourke. "I don't see it that way. You have to look at total tackles and how they lead their team. Anwar is the leader of our defence and John is a similar player on their defence. They got it right this year.''

The nominees for most outstanding player are Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo (East) and Calgary Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds (West).

The nominees for most outstanding offensive lineman are Montreal's Scott Flory (East) and Ben Archibald (West).
Montreal's Larry Taylor (East) and B.C. Lions Jason Arakgi (West) are the nominees for special teams player-of-the-year.

Montreal slotback Ben Cahoon (East) and Foley (West) have been nominated for the most outstanding Canadian award.
The nominees for rookie-of-the-year are Lions running back Martell Mallett (West) and Blue Bombers defensive back Jonathan Hefney (East).

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com