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Word that Adam Bighill was signing with the New Orleans Saints had Wally Buono in a bittersweet mood Wednesday night.

TSN’s Farhan Lalji was reporting that Bighill, 28, who formed the Team 100 linebacking duo with Solomon Elimimian with the B.C. Lions, had inked a three-year contract with the Saints.

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“I’m happy for Biggie and I’m sad for our fans and our organization,” said Buono, the Lions’ general manager and coach. “Now, it’s up to me to find us a player who will make us as proud as Biggie has.”

The Lions had announced Dec. 9 that Bighill, through a clause in his contract, had until Jan. 27 to sign a deal with an NFL club or his rights reverted to the Lions through the 2018 season.

Size was the biggest factor going against Bighill. He checks in at 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds. Thirty-eight linebackers went to the 2016 NFL Draft combine and just two were smaller than 6-feet, 240 pounds.

“Adam has always beaten the odds. You have to respect him for that. You have to admire him for that,” said Buono.