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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze announce its first major free-agent signing for 2008 with Defensive Lineman E.J. BURT (6-2, 265, West Liberty St.) agreeing to a three-year contract today. The Blaze have also agreed to contract terms with Defensive Back REGGIE DOSTER (5-10, 190, Central Florida). Terms of the contracts were not disclosed due to team policy.
"We are very excited to have Burt and Doster as a part of our defense," said Blaze head coach and general manager DANNY WHITE. "These signings help us reach our offseason goal of an improved defense. Both of these guys have put up great numbers in the past, and we are confident that they will bring that same drive and determination to this team."
Burt will be entering his sixth season with the AFL where he has played for Chicago, Philadelphia and Orlando. This past season with the Rush, Burt recorded 21.5 total tackles, 6.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and five pass breakups. He was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team in 2003 and earned Second Team All-Arena honors in 2005. Burt averages over 6.5 sacks per season and is currently ranked 12th on the AFL's all-time list for sacks in a career.
Doster spent the 2007 season with the Grand Rapid Rampage and the Georgia Force. In his four games with the Rampage, he recorded 13.0 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Doster then spent the rest of the season with the Force where he tallied 75.0 tackles, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and five interceptions. Doster has also played for the Philadelphia Soul (2006), Detroit Fury (2004), and Orlando Predators (2005, 2002-03) where he played alongside fellow free agent Burt.
