Lions getting Bazzie back
Defensive lineman returning to B.C. from NFL audition
SURREY (CP) — Alex Bazzie is back with the B.C. Lions.
The CFL club announced Monday it has agreed to a contract with the defensive lineman, but did not disclose terms of the deal. The 27-year-old played for the Lions from 2014 to 2016 before trying to catch on in the NFL this past off-season.
Bazzie spent time with three teams south of the border, with his final stop cut short when the Arizona Cardinals released him at the end of training camp earlier this month.
Bazzie recorded 29 sacks in 50 outings for the Lions over three years, including 11 in 2016 to earn a West Division all-star nod, but had just one over his final seven contests before also getting shut out in B.C.’s two playoffs games.
The Marshall University product, who had 83 defensive tackles with the Lions, returns at a critical juncture with the club sitting at 6-6 and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
It will be hoped Bazzie can help boost a pass rush that has sacked opposing quarterbacks just 18 times, good for second-last in the league, as B.C. prepares to host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-9) on Friday night.
GOOD NEWS FOR REDBLACKS
Marcel Desjardins was breathing a little sigh of relief Monday.
The Ottawa Redblacks general manager said quarterback Drew Tate is listed as week-to-week with an arm-shoulder injury sustained in last weekend’s 29-11 win over the Montreal Alouettes. Tate underwent testing Monday, and Desjardins said while it’s unlikely Tate will play Friday night in Winnipeg, he wouldn’t rule it out.
“There’s a chance he could play this week,” Desjardins said. “I’d say no, especially when it’s a short week, but you never know.”
Tate left in the second quarter after being hit by defensive back Dondre Wright. He stood on the sidelined in the second half with his right arm in a sling.
Tate was starting in place of incumbent Trevor Harris, who suffered a shoulder injury in Ottawa’s 26-22 loss to Hamilton on Sept. 9. Tate finished the game 21-of-29 passing for 185 yards with a touchdown and interception. Third-stringer Ryan Lindley replaced Tate and completed 7-of-14 passes for 76 yards and an interception.
Although Lindley, 28, is in his first CFL season, he played collegiately at San Diego State and in the NFL with Arizona (twice), San Diego, New England and Indianapolis before joining the Redblacks.
“He (Lindley) doesn’t have to be the guy who does everything,” Desjardins said. “He just needs to be the guy who distributes the ball and lets the other players make plays.”
HISTORIC WIN
Brandon Bridge understands the historical significance of his role Friday in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 27-19 road win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The 25-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., completed 21-of-31 passes for 231 yards and three TDs to become the first Canadian to start and win a CFL regular-season game since Greg Vavra led the Calgary Stampeders past the Toronto Argonauts 28-17 on Oct. 14, 1985. The three-touchdown performance was the first for a Canuck quarterback since Vavra accomplished the feat in 1984.
“I’m trying to open up doors for the younger generation that is a Canadian and actually wants to play quarterback,” said Bridge. “I’m just trying to open up that door.
“I’m trying to lay that first stone so it’s an easier path for them.”
Bridge made just his second career start after incumbent Kevin Glenn couldn’t play due to a hand injury. Bridge and Stampeders backup Andrew Buckley, a Calgary native, are the CFL’s only two Canadian-born QBs.
Bridge’s first start came in 2015 while with the Montreal Alouettes. He is in his third CFL season and second with the Riders.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Bridge certainly has shown a flare for the dramatic. After throwing a TD pass in Hamilton, Bridge ran downfield rubbing his fingers together copying former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel’s money gesture to the crowd.
The week before, Bridge launched himself into the stands at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg after scoring a rushing TD.
“I actually know Johnny,” Bridge said. “I went to Manning camp with him two years in a row when I was in college. He’s actually a good guy.”
FANTUZ RE-JOINS TICATS
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats added veteran slotback Andy Fantuz to the practice roster on Monday.
Fantuz, 33, has spent the last four months as Hamilton’s co-ordinator of player development while recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season. The Chatham, Ont., native was a finalist as the CFL’s top Canadian last year with 101 catches for 1,059 yards and five TDs.
Fantuz has appeared in 145 career CFL games with Saskatchewan (2006-11) and Hamilton (2012-present), having recorded 631 catches for 8,308 yards and 44 TDs. Fantuz was the CFL’s top Canadian in 2010 and won a Grey Cup in ’07 with the Riders.
QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY
It will be interesting to see if Hamilton coach June Jones sticks with Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback Friday against the B.C. Lions or goes back to Zach Collaros. Masoli led the Ticats to their first two wins of the year but is now just 60-of-112 passing (53.6 per cent) for 778 yards with two TDs and three picks in his three starts.