Tate Stamp-ed with contract extension

THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY -- The Calgary Stampeders formally announced Wednesday that quarterback Drew Tate has signed a contract extension with the CFL club.

Last month, sources requesting anonymity reported that Tate had signed a three-year extension with Calgary, a move that effectively spelled the end of veteran quarterback Henry Burris's tenure with the Stampeders.

Calgary dealt Burris to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Jan. 3 in a deal that saw former Ticats' starter Kevin Glenn go to Calgary.

Tate replaced Burris as Calgary's No. 1 quarterback late last season, starting the Stampeders' final three regular-season games and the club's 33-19 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in the West Division semifinal.

Tate finished 101-of-158 passing (63.9 per cent) with 1,346 passing yards and eight TDs while also throwing five interceptions.

"Drew Tate showed last season that he can be a winning starting quarterback in this league," head coach and GM, John Hufnagel said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to see what Drew can do over the course of a full season and also excited that he will be a big part of this club for years to come."

Tate signed with Calgary as a free agent in June 2009.

"I enjoyed 2011 more than any season to date in my CFL career and I can't wait to get started in 2012," said Tate. "It's an honour to return to the Stamps and I look forward to working with Kevin Glenn and Brad Sinopoli, along with the rest of the offence."