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Of course. You set your sights early on that you’re going to compete for the Grey Cup and that’s no different here. The amount of talent on this team is ridiculous so that’s definitely what we have our eyes on.

What kind of car do you drive and why?

I drive a 2010 Dodge Charger with 24-inch rims. It’s old school and I like it.

What’s the best part about playing in the CFL?

It’s being able to get out of the (United States) and it’s like a breath of fresh air. It’s just a whole energy shift when you come north of the border.

Photo by Troy Fleece / Regina Leader-Post

You spent six seasons with Riders defensive end Charleston Hughes in Calgary. What it’s like to reunite with him?

Probably the worst part of the deal was having to join Charleston.

Seriously, what impact does it have to join a team with Hughes already here?

It’s just somebody who understands and helps you make that connection with other teammates. He’s someone who knows everything that you’re about and it made for a smooth transition.

Hughes was first in sacks last year with 15 and you were second with 14. Who will lead the league in sacks this season?

We’ll see. Sacks are funny because sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t and some luck is actually involved in it. My focus isn’t on my sack numbers. It’s on being able to produce, be a good player, grade out 100 per cent and give a full effort. Everything else will fall where it will.

You had interest from other CFL teams. What drew you to the Roughriders?

From a defensive standpoint, I felt the defence was great, but the tradition and the fans was what I wanted to be part of. I take football seriously and I really don’t do much besides preparing for football every week. Just to be part of a fan base that probably still doesn’t like me from going back and forth in the stands. There is still all of that energy and I want to be part of it.

The Riders made you the highest-paid defensive player in the CFL with a salary of $250,000 a season. Does that salary carry any extra pressure?

It’s not pressure, but I’ve always been one of those guys where accolades make me work harder. After receiving that type of pay from (the Riders), I don’t want to let anyone down. I don’t want to let my coaches down and I don’t want to let (general manager) Jeremy O’Day down after they had the confidence in me like that. It gives me more motivation and it gets me up at six in the morning and into the weight room.

mmccormick@postmedia.com

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