By Jonathan Anderson
Stampeders.com

Stampeders safety Eric Fraser joined the club in 2010 after being chosen as the team’s first-round selection (eighth overall) in the 2009 CFL College Draft.

Last week in Winnipeg, Fraser participated in his 50th CFL regular-season game and fans of the Red and White have been lucky enough to see Fraser’s progression as he nears the end of his third season.

“I’m a bit more aggressive now,” notes Fraser, “a bit more willing to try and make plays and make a difference in the game.”

Case in point — last week’s game in Winnipeg as Fraser celebrated his 50th career game by recording an interception in the Stamps’ 32-21 win over the Blue Bombers.

Though Fraser figures to have many seasons ahead of him, the Burnaby, B.C., native and Central Michigan alumnus has already accumulated some good memories as a pro.

“I think going to the playoffs the first three years was memorable,” he says. “My first sack, my first interception . . . anything you do for the first time is always memorable.”

In his first season as a starter, Fraser has set a new career high with 44 tackles and matched his career best with two interceptions, including one pick returned for touchdown on July 7 in Toronto.

“I definitely feel more confident,” says Fraser. “Coming in, you never know what to expect. This year, I feel as the season has gone on, I have felt more and more comfortable in what my role is and how I can help this team.”

Fraser sets aside personal goals for himself, but maintains the most important objective each season is the team goal of getting to the Grey Cup. That means getting to the Grey Cup in Toronto is the only result that will make this year a true success.

“Every year I write down numbers and things I want to do,” he says. “But it’s hard. Coming into this year, I had never been a starting safety and I didn’t know what to expect. There are still a few goals, but every year the team goal is to win the Grey Cup.

“I came from a successful college program where we won three championships in four years, so to not have won one in the pros is a little disappointing.”

With three games remaining in the 2012 season, Fraser and the Stampeders have secured a trip to the playoffs. With their sights set on hosting a home playoff game, the next challenge comes Saturday when the Stamps take on Henry Burris and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.