Canucklehead
1-12-06, 2:39 AM
Vancouver — Quarterback Casey Printers has left the B.C. Lions to sign a deal with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, the CFL team said Wednesday.
Printers, who was in his option year of his CFL contract, reportedly reached a three-year deal with the Chiefs.
“Our organization takes a great deal of pride in knowing that Casey has fulfilled his dream of playing in the NFL,” Wally Buono, the Lions coach and general manager, said in a statement. “He has been an outstanding member of our club and we wish him the very best in this new phase of his career.”
Financial details weren't available but Printers can certainly expect to make more than the $60,000 base salary that he earned last year with the Lions.
Printers, 24, said he's excited about playing in the NFL.
“I'm not going to say I'm not nervous about the situation,” Printers told MOJO 730 Radio in Vancouver. “Any time you make a big change like this it's going to be something that is going to be tough for you.
“I feel like I'm ready for the challenge and I know I'm going to work my butt off.”
A talent on the field, Printers has sometimes had a strained relationship with the Lions. He and veteran Dave Dickenson managed to co-exist but both made no secret they wanted to be the No. 1 quarterback.
Printers spent three seasons with the Lions. He was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2004 when he took over for the injured Dickenson and threw for 5,088 yards and 36 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 469 yards and nine touchdowns.
The seeds of Printers discontent may have been sown that year when he watched from the sidelines as Dickenson played the entire game in the Lions 29-19 Grey Cup loss to the Toronto Argonauts in Ottawa.
Printers was hobbled by both shoulder and toe injuries in 2005. He appeared in eight games, completing 132 of 217 passes for 1,767 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
He also ran for 336 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts.
While I am sad to see him leave, I'm happy that he's got a shot at living his dream of making it in the NFL. Plus, he'll be in next year's version of Madden :boogie:
Best of luck Printers!
Printers, who was in his option year of his CFL contract, reportedly reached a three-year deal with the Chiefs.
“Our organization takes a great deal of pride in knowing that Casey has fulfilled his dream of playing in the NFL,” Wally Buono, the Lions coach and general manager, said in a statement. “He has been an outstanding member of our club and we wish him the very best in this new phase of his career.”
Financial details weren't available but Printers can certainly expect to make more than the $60,000 base salary that he earned last year with the Lions.
Printers, 24, said he's excited about playing in the NFL.
“I'm not going to say I'm not nervous about the situation,” Printers told MOJO 730 Radio in Vancouver. “Any time you make a big change like this it's going to be something that is going to be tough for you.
“I feel like I'm ready for the challenge and I know I'm going to work my butt off.”
A talent on the field, Printers has sometimes had a strained relationship with the Lions. He and veteran Dave Dickenson managed to co-exist but both made no secret they wanted to be the No. 1 quarterback.
Printers spent three seasons with the Lions. He was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2004 when he took over for the injured Dickenson and threw for 5,088 yards and 36 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 469 yards and nine touchdowns.
The seeds of Printers discontent may have been sown that year when he watched from the sidelines as Dickenson played the entire game in the Lions 29-19 Grey Cup loss to the Toronto Argonauts in Ottawa.
Printers was hobbled by both shoulder and toe injuries in 2005. He appeared in eight games, completing 132 of 217 passes for 1,767 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
He also ran for 336 yards and two touchdowns on 38 attempts.
While I am sad to see him leave, I'm happy that he's got a shot at living his dream of making it in the NFL. Plus, he'll be in next year's version of Madden :boogie:
Best of luck Printers!