Chick bolts Riders for NFL's Colts: report
CFL's top defensive player for 2009 posted 32 tackles, 11 sacks
The Saskatchewan Roughriders lost a key member of their defence Friday.
A CFL source requesting anonymity told The Canadian Press that defensive end John Chick signed a deal with the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts.
Chick, 27, had a banner 2009 campaign, being named the CFL's top defensive player after registering 32 tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He also captured league all-star honours and helped Saskatchewan advance to the Grey Cup before losing a heart-breaking 28-27 decision to the Montreal Alouettes.
Contract details weren't immediately known, but the source said the six-foot-three, 250-pound Chick received a three-year offer with the Colts that included a solid six-figure signing bonus.
Chick, who played his college football at Utah State University, spent three seasons with the Riders. He is also a Type 1 diabetic.
Chick was entering the option year of his CFL deal and was eligible to sign with an NFL team until the end of next month. If the Colts release him, Chick would return to Saskatchewan to complete his CFL contract.
Jets add 2 CFLers
Meanwhile, the New York Jets continued to load up on CFL talent.
The NFL club signed Montreal Alouettes receiver S.J. Green and Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Bo Smith on Friday.
The move comes a day after the Jets signed Montreal kick-returner Larry Taylor, the CFL's top special-teams player in 2009.
The six-foot-three, 220-pound Green spent the last three seasons with the Grey Cup-champion Alouettes, registering 26 catches for 353 yards and three touchdowns. He played his college football at South Florida, accumulating 63 receptions and four touchdowns.
Smith spent the last two years in Hamilton, registering 48 tackles and two interceptions.
The six-foot, 190-pound Smith had 44 tackles and two interceptions at Weber State in 2006 to capture All-Big Sky Conference first-team all-star honours.