Argos add experience on defensive line

Adam Rita wasn't kidding Tuesday when he said the Toronto Argonauts were busy behind the scenes preparing for the 2010 CFL season.

About 24 hours later, the general manager picked up defensive tackle Eric Taylor in a trade with Edmonton, which also sent a conditional 2011 draft pick to Toronto for veteran Canadian Andre Talbot and fellow wide receiver Brad Smith.

"With the departure of Walter Curry to the Jacksonville Jaguars [of the National Football League], we felt it was important for us to acquire someone with CFL experience at defensive tackle," Rita said in a statement, one day after the Argos brought back head coach Jim Barker and sold the team to current B.C. Lions owner David Braley.

"Eric Taylor brings size and quickness to the anchor spot."

The 29-year-old native of Winchester, Tenn., played 19 games over two seasons in Edmonton, posting 45 defensive tackles, three quarterback sacks, four pass knockdowns and a fumble return.

"I'm really excited to come to Toronto," Taylor said. "There's a great tradition of football in the city and I've heard good things about new head coach Jim Barker. I look forward to … helping to get the Argonauts back into the playoffs."

Talbot, who hails from Toronto, played nine seasons and 113 regular-season games with the Argonauts. In 2009, the 31-year-old caught one pass and spent almost the entire campaign recovering from an ankle injury.

A member of the Argos' 2004 Grey Cup championship team, Talbot has caught 261 passes for 3,402 yards in the CFL.

Smith, 26, had his most productive season as a CFLer a year ago, hauling in 14 passes for 142 yards.

He started six of 16 games in three seasons for Toronto after being selected in the sixth round (45th overall) in the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft.

The Argos also announced the release of cornerback Jordan Younger.