CFL.ca
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts have signed international free agent linebacker Taylor Reed to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.
“Taylor is an established veteran who has solidified himself as one of the CFL’s top tacklers,” said Argos GM Jim Popp. “We’re excited to add a player of his calibre to our defence and we look forward to his contributions in 2018.”
Reed, 26, joins the Argos after enjoying a career year with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, recording 94 tackles and four sacks in the nation’s capital before becoming a free agent on Feb. 13.
The news comes on the same day the Argos also brought back free agent middle linebacker Bear Woods, giving the team a solid stable of veteran linebackers that also includes Marcus Ball and Khalil Bass.
Over the span of five CFL seasons, Reed has collected 315 defensive tackles, 17 sacks, two interceptions and five forced fumbles. He’s appeared in two Grey Cups, including Ottawa’s Grey Cup Championship over the Calgary Stampeders in 2016.
Reed started his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2014, recording 60 tackles and eight sacks in his first CFL season.
The Argos also announced today that the team has signed Canadian defensive end John Biewald.
Biewald, 23, played five years of U Sports Football at Western University, racking up 64.5 tackles (54 solo), 21 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in 30 regular-season games for the Mustangs. In seven playoff games, he elevated his game to record 28 tackles (27 solo), three tackles for a loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The 6-4, 225-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario, spent time with the Ottawa Redblacks during training camp in each of the past two years and recorded two special teams tackles in two preseason games with the team in 2017.
