Bazzie needed a ‘clear mind’ before returning to CFL
Alex Bazzie wanted to make sure he had shaken his NFL hangover.
The defensive lineman signed a contract with the B.C. Lions through the rest of the season earlier this week, rejoining the CFL club he played for from 2014 to 2016 before bouncing between three teams south of the border over a nine-month span.
Some players who leave Canada in hopes of catching on in the NFL have a tough time readjusting when they return — be it spite, disinterest, having a chip on their shoulder or something else — but Bazzie believes his mind is in the right place after getting cut by the Arizona Cardinals.
“I’m most definitely past that point,” the 27-year-old said following his first practice with the Lions this year.
“That’s what might have took so long as far as coming back. It was just making sure I got over that, leaving it back in the States and not coming over here holding onto grudges.”
Bazzie registered 29 sacks in 50 games for the Lions, including 11 last season, to earn a contract with the Indianapolis Colts in January.
After getting cut in May, he latched on with the Carolina Panthers and then the Cardinals, who released him at the end of training camp 21/2 weeks ago. An outside linebacker rather than a defensive end in the NFL because of his stature, the six-foot-one, 228-pound Marshall University product said he learned a lot of technique from Cardinals counterparts Chandler Jones and Markus Golden.
He also got a harsh introduction to realities of the game’s business side.
“It’s crazy,” said Bazzie. “One thing I did learn, and it’s universal all over, is no matter how good of a player you are, when it comes down to needing a certain position or having no depth at a (different) position, they’ve got to be able to do what’s best for the team, not what’s best for that one player.”
The Silver Spring, Md., native joins a team that has just 18 quarterback takedowns and 62 pressures, good for second-last in the league in both categories.
“We felt he could give us a shot in the arm defensively,” Lions head coach and general manager Wally Buono said. “One thing we can do is put more pressure on the quarterback, and he can do that for us. Alex knows the system. He fits in right away.”
Bazzie, who had offers from other CFL teams, returns at a critical juncture for the Lions (6-6) ahead of Friday’s home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-9).
“I’ve got better with my craft,” Bazzie said. “I just can’t wait to put it to the test.”