Taylor made opportunity – Winnipeg Free Press

Nick Taylor was content to soak up the Miami sun as he transitioned to life after pro football. He was equally happy to leave Miami to push for one more Grey Cup on a frozen gridiron in the Manitoba capital.

Lo and behold, it was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who rang the 36-year-old defensive back during the club’s bye week and signed Taylor to the practice roster Sunday.

Taylor, who played three seasons in Winnipeg and last appeared for the club in 2022, was a consistent contributor during the Bombers’s back-to-back Grey Cup championship wins from 2019-21.

It was the only organization he’d consider leaving the Sunshine State for.

“I was preparing for life after football,” Taylor told the Free Press after Monday’s practice at Princess Auto Stadium where the Bombers were preparing for Saturday’s regular-season finale in Montreal against the Alouettes (2 p.m. CT). “I didn’t want another chance somewhere else. I was fine. I was content.”

“JY (defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger), Osh (head coach Mike O’Shea), this organization, I really respect them. These are people, no matter what I’m doing, I’ll listen to so the opportunity was presented — football, everybody loves to do it if you still could do it. I think I still could do it.”

In Taylor’s mind, there is unfinished business for him here.

He was enjoying a strong 2022 season before an Achilles injury in the Banjo Bowl ended his campaign. When the Bombers lost to the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup later that season, Taylor was overcome with regret for not being available for his team in the biggest game of the year.

“Deep down in my heart, I believe if I was healthy and on that field, maybe I make that one play or my voice on one play, telling somebody something, keeping them aware on something, and it helps us win the Grey Cup. And that’s three in a row,” he said. “I wasn’t out there. It hurt.

“Here’s a chance to make it right, so I’m going for it.”

While Taylor returns with 71 games and three Grey Cups worth of experience to the club, he hasn’t set foot on a professional field since last November’s West semifinal as a member of the Calgary Stampeders.

Taylor hasn’t strayed far from the field, though. At home, he trains young football players and is a personal trainer at a local gym, which allowed him to stay in shape and keep his game sharp in the event the Bombers came calling.

“I’m ready to rock now,” he said. “It’s fine, basically because here I can play more with my knowledge rather than the physical skills — that’ll come along, I’m fine, I’ll get there — but the time being off, I can make up with my knowledge of the system here, knowing where to be so I could be there a little quicker, knowing what the opposing team is doing and how we want to attack it.

“Not saying it’s simple, but it’s easier for me to step in this organization and fit right in and be able to play right now.”

Taylor may believe he can contribute now, but O’Shea is in no rush to push the veteran onto the field.

“I think that’s a little ways off. It’s too early to say that,” said O’Shea. “I mean, you obviously bring him in as an insurance policy and then where it goes from there remains to be seen. But he was available, we knew he was in relatively good shape, he shows up here, he proves he’s in good shape and the rest of it, we know about it. So, we’ll see if there’s a need.”

The addition of the versatile defensive back came days after safety Brandon Alexander missed his first contest of the year with a hand injury he sustained against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Oct. 4.

Alexander was seen Monday sporting a cast on his right hand, which leaves it anyone’s guess as to when he will return to the field.

Second-year Canadian Jake Kelly and Deatrick Nichols, who typically starts at the weak side half, have rotated at safety. Even at 36, Taylor could also be an option to man the middle of the field should Alexander miss playoff games.

“As crazy as it sounds, he’s probably still the fastest out here,” Nichols said of Taylor. “The age thing, you can’t give him too many jokes because if he tells you to line it up, he’s going to embarrass you. He’s probably still top three right on this team right now, just coming from home. Nick Taylor is fast.”

While Taylor understands there is no guarantee he sees the field this year, he is approaching what could be his last dance in professional football with the mindset of being available to his teammates wherever they need him.

It didn’t take long for younger players to feel his presence.

“He’s very vocal, especially in the meeting rooms,” said Kelly. “On the field, he was vocal when we were doing walkthroughs, helping me out and I’m trying to help him as much as I can, so it’s good. Definitely noticeable.”

“The more the better. We got plenty of veterans in our room, so adding another one can only be more and more helpful.”

INJURY UPDATE

Linebacker Michael Ayers was a full participant at Monday’s practice, marking the second day in a row he’s logged that level of activity. This is a positive development for his chances to play on Saturday in Montreal. Ayers sustained a hip injury against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Oct. 4 and was placed on the one-game injured list. He missed the Bombers’ Week 19 contest against the Argos.

Meanwhile, Kyrie Wilson was limited in the session, working on individual drills but not the team portion of practice. It’s a step in the right direction for the club’s weakside linebacker, who has missed the last nine contests with two different injuries.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s a really good football player so we’re excited,” said O’Shea. “As he makes any bit of progress, it’s good and I know he’s come a long way. I don’t know about this week, I’m not sure yet, but I know he’s itching to get back.”

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Joshua Frey-Sam
Reporter

Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He’s reported primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports and writes a weekly real estate feature for the business section. Read more about Josh.

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