Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive end Connor McGough comes off the field carving the air with arms, asking questions about technique, where to put his hands, what to think in one situation or another.
John Chick listens silently, nods slowly, then answers patiently and in great detail.
The conversation lasts for some time and will continue later in the day, then again tomorrow and the next day, too, as McGough’s rookie indoctrination into the CFL takes shape. Chick, 11 years into a professional career on both sides of the border, has plenty to offer and — just as importantly — a willingness to share it.
“There’s different way of thinking when it comes to being a professional. Practice isn’t always about full reps, sometimes we slow it down to a walk-through, but that doesn’t mean you can take a break, mentally,” McGough says. “On each play, there are so many different scenarios, so many different things you could be responsible for. He has a lot of knowledge he can pass on to a young guy like myself.”
McGough was the Ticats top pick, No. 4 overall, in the 2017 CFL Draft, an athletic six-foot-two, 251-pounder who started his career as a running back before transitioning to defence. Though comparisons to Chick at this stage are patently unfair – the 34-year-old is a three-time all-star and was the league’s top defensive player in 2009 – they have a similar high-motor approach.
“I feel like I’m similar to him in that he led by example: work hardest, people will notice and they will follow,” McGough said. “He just busts his butt and repeats this all the time: ‘It’s the details.'”
Chick, who just signed a contract extension through the 2018 season, is a legendary gym rat and has recently developed a fondness for posting segments of his workouts on his YouTube page. But as he’s progressed, Chick has become a technician in how he approaches his position.
“All the way through, you’re told by coaches that a significant part of the game is mental but when you’re young and vibrant, you figure ‘nah, it’s physical,'” Chick said. “My whole career, I’ve known guys who are a bigger, faster, stronger, but it’s the mental aspect that keeps guys in it. What I love about Conner is that he knows he has to work at it.”
Originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, McGough’s left arm is a sleeve of tattoos dedicated to celebrating his faith, including his favourite Bible scripture and his baptism date. Chick is a devout Catholic — he and his wife have eight children — and says that’s influenced his approach to helping McGough: not every veteran is willing to share their knowledge.
“I still have confidence in myself that I can get it done and if you aren’t teaching, then you aren’t learning,” Chick said. “I can’t have my faith separate from football and the other aspects of myself. If I’m not willing to share what I know, what does that say about me?”
Notes: Both Ticats kickers had good days punting the football on Sunday but neither Sergio Castillo or Andrew Hawkins has been lights out on field goals thus far. Castillo made kicks from 32, 37, 44, and 51 yards but missed two from 55 in virtually windless conditions. Hawkins hit from from 32, 37, 44 and 55 – it hit the upright and bounced in – while missing from 51 and 55 yards…. the team moved practice from its scheduled 8:30 a.m. start time to 1:30 p.m. and managed to avoid both the morning and late afternoon rain… notable names missing practice due to injury: defensive backs Abdul Kanneh and Courtney Stephen, offensive tackles Xavier Fulton and Jordan Swindle and a number of others… Swindle has been taking the first team reps at right tackle the last few days and with him out, Canadian Landon Rice got some time there on Sunday.
