Baggs leaves Riders to try NFL

Stevie Baggs, who tied for the CFL lead in sacks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, has signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL club announced on Thursday.

Baggs, 28, recorded 12 sacks and forced two fumbles for the CFL West champs last season. The defensive end was named a CFL all-star as a result.

The six-foot-one, 240-pound Baggs was something of a late bloomer, having previously played a limited role with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos.

Much like Cameron Wake, who left B.C. last season to play with the Miami Dolphins, Baggs will try to latch on with the NFL club as an outside linebacker and pass rush specialist. The Cardinals ranked 23rd out of 32 teams in passing yards allowed.

Baggs played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman in his native Florida.

It is the second big loss for the Roughriders along the defensive line. CFL defensive player of the year John Chick signed a three-year deal in early January with Indianapolis.