Bazzie’s back: Sack master returns to struggling Lions after failed run at the NFL
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 land a job in the NFL this past off-season.
Lions director of football operations and player personnel Neil McEvoy said Bazzie was being welcomed back with open arms.
“That’s how we left it with him last year. That’s something he wanted to make sure of, in case things didn’t work out for him (with the NFL),” McEvoy said. “He brings an athletic and
physical presence to our entire defence and not just our defensive line. He also brings a veteran presence to our locker-room.”
Bazzie spent time with three teams south of the border. His final stop ended when the Arizona Cardinals released him 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 getting shut out in B.C.’s two playoff games.
The Marshall University product, who had 83 defensive tackles with the Lions, returns at a critical juncture with the club at 6-6 and in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
It will be hoped Bazzie can 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 on Friday night.
“We feel our defence had played pretty well, but he adds even more to it,” McEvoy said.