STAMPS SIGN ERIC TAYLOR

Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce the signing of free-agent international defensive lineman Eric Taylor. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Taylor is a seven-year Canadian Football League veteran who spent the past four seasons with the BC Lions and has 90 regular-season games, eight playoff contests as well as the 2011 Grey Cup on his resume. The six-foot-two, 309-lb. defensive tackle was part of a Lions unit that finished first in run defence in 2012 and second in 2011 and 2013. During two of those seasons – 2012 and 2013 – Rich Stubler, now Calgary’s defensive coordinator, was on the BC coaching staff.

The Winchester, Tenn., native entered the CFL as a member of the Edmonton Eskimos in 2008 and also played for the Toronto Argonauts in 2010.

“Eric has been very good defensive tackle in this league over the years and I know he’s looking to show that he still has more to give,” said Hufnagel. “I look forward to seeing him compete at training camp.”

In 90 career games, Taylor has 169 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 20 pass knockdowns. He has 16 tackles and two sacks in eight career playoff games.

Prior to coming to the CFL, Taylor spent time with the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the seventh round in 2004, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans. He played one game for the Vikings in 2005. He played college football at Memphis was second-team all-Conference USA during his senior season.

“I’m grateful for the new start,” said Taylor. “I’m joining a very good team and a very good defence and I’m looking forward to getting on that road to try and reach the Grey Cup.”