Burris restructures contract with REDBLACKS

[gbill2004]

From today's Ottawa Sun:

The Ottawa RedBlacks and their starting quarterback Henry Burris have given each other a nice Christmas present.

The Sun has learned that the 39-year-old Burris agreed to reconfigure his contract, which has two years remaining, to allow the RedBlacks to gain cap space for the 2015 season. Burris got the money early, with the cash pushed forward to the 2014 season, with the RedBlacks having the cap space to spare.

RedBlacks GM Marcel Desjardins confirmed the agreement, also emphasizing that Burris will return for the 2015 season.

"Henry (Burris) does a lot of good things, but there are things he has to do better," said Desjardins last month. "Are there plays that could have been made? Absolutely. But the same could be said about everybody."

The CFL salary cap was $5 million in 2014, with Burris earning more than $450,000. There will be a slight bump in the cap for the 2015 season.

Increased salary-cap room will allow the RedBlacks more flexibility to look to add players either through free agency or trades.

"One of the things we lack is big playmaking ability," said Desjardins. "We would hope to be able to get a couple of players who are difference makers. We can't go sign 10 of them. But we know who we want. Last year, we were willing to spend if it was the right guy. We're looking at the list and there are going to be a handful of guys who are very attractive, guys we would like to have.

"One thing that's encouraging: There are players on pretty much every team who are passing the word along that they'd love to be here. They see the environment we have here and they see we're not that far off."

The 2015 list of free agents includes receiver and return specialist Brandon Banks and receivers Duron Carter (who will get NFL looks) and S.J. Green. Other free-agent options include receivers Greg Ellingson, Ernest Jackson, Samuel Giguere, Luke Tasker, Weston Dressler and Brad Sinopoli, linebackers Bear Woods, Marcellus Bowman and Odell Willis, offensive linemen Ben Heenan, Brett Jones, Greg Wojt, Matt O'Donnell and Tyler Holmes and defensive backs Delvin Breaux and Geoff Tisdale.

[Tracker]

Sanity from DesJardins- who'da thunk?

[Mr Dee]

More like fixing their original    

 

 

 

 

 

[iso_55]

This guy thinks FA will fix everything when it won't. You have to also draft & trade well. I know that Desjardins will overpay for any player he truly wants as that is his MO.

[Jpan85]

By restricting he still gets every penny of the contract how nice of hank

[17to85]

Anyone else find it very funny to hear a GM say that a 39 year old qb needs to get better at certain things? At that age I wouldn't be expecting a guy to suddenly get better anywhere. 

[sweep the leg]

So they put all that money into their past-his-prime qb rather than extending guys who will be their core going forward? That doesn't seem like the best plan. Seems like they're pretty much tied to him again after paying him what amounts to a signing bonus for next season.

[iso_55]

Desjardins is an idiot. 

[AtlanticRiderFan]

Gosh, just retire already, Hank. Too old and rusty.

[The Unknown Poster]

So he just took money he would get next season and got it this season instead? Not much of a restructuring. Hey can we pay you today why we owe you tomorrow? Uh sure.

[Zontar]

Anyone else find it very funny to hear a GM say that a 39 year old qb needs to get better at certain things? At that age I wouldn't be expecting a guy to suddenly get better anywhere. 

This ^

[iso_55]

Hank should be coaching. He won't change the way he plays. Why should he? He's 40 years old. This is his last contract. 

[do or die]

Nothing like burning up the window for developing a young QB, with a new franchise.

 

Idiots...

[Tracker]

With this move, the ottawa franchise has guaranteed the fans a couple more years of mediocrity at best instead of taking their lumps and growing a good, young QB.

[DR. CFL]

Why can't Hank continue to be their best bet until they can develop or find his replacement?

[Mark H.]

Why can't Hank continue to be their best bet until they can develop or find his replacement?

 

 

 

Because they will be lousy team with or without Hank.

[gbill2004]

Why can't Hank continue to be their best bet until they can develop or find his replacement?

Because they will be lousy team with or without Hank.

A couple legit receivers and I think they'd be a pretty good team.

[iso_55]

They need more than a couple of legit receivers to improve. They won 2 games... 

[gbill2004]

They need more than a couple of legit receivers to improve. They won 2 games...

And how many of those games were lost by brutal dropped balls at key points in the game? Lots. I watched most of their games. A couple good WRs and I think they'd be close to a .500 team.

Ottawa isn't as far off as some people think.

[iso_55]

 

They need more than a couple of legit receivers to improve. They won 2 games...

And how many of those games were lost by brutal dropped balls at key points in the game? Lots. I watched most of their games. A couple good WRs and I think they'd be close to a .500 team.

Ottawa isn't as far off as some people think.

 

It wasn't just dropped footballs that lost them close games. The redblacks have a lot of work to do just to get to the same wins the Bombers had last season. 

[gbill2004]

They need more than a couple of legit receivers to improve. They won 2 games...

And how many of those games were lost by brutal dropped balls at key points in the game? Lots. I watched most of their games. A couple good WRs and I think they'd be close to a .500 team.

Ottawa isn't as far off as some people think.

It wasn't just dropped footballs that lost them close games. The redblacks have a lot of work to do just to get to the same wins the Bombers had last season.

I'd estimate they lost at least 3-4 games purely on bad dropped balls. Burris has no one to throw too. That's kind of important.

[iso_55]

Sure it is but not the only thing. If only fixing a 2-16 team was so easy. Just go out & find some guys who can catch & start winning.

[Atomic]

Sure it is but not the only thing. If only fixing a 2-16 team was so easy. Just go out & find some guys who can catch & start winning.

 

They have solid Canadian talent on the offensive and defensive lines to build around, and some good young Americans on the defence.  I still think they can win some games with Burris, if they can find some receivers and a solid running back.  Those really are their biggest weaknesses.  Wouldn't surprise me to see them make a jump to 6-12 or even 8-10 territory with some good work this offseason.

[holoman]

Sure it is but not the only thing. If only fixing a 2-16 team was so easy. Just go out & find some guys who can catch & start winning.

A lot of work and multiple issues on offense, but One of those issues were fixed by getting rid of Gibson IMO

[voodoochylde]

 

Sure it is but not the only thing. If only fixing a 2-16 team was so easy. Just go out & find some guys who can catch & start winning.

 

They have solid Canadian talent on the offensive and defensive lines to build around, and some good young Americans on the defence.  I still think they can win some games with Burris, if they can find some receivers and a solid running back.  Those really are their biggest weaknesses.  Wouldn't surprise me to see them make a jump to 6-12 or even 8-10 territory with some good work this offseason.

 

 

 

Agreed.  If their offense showed any kind of conistency or competence this season .. they'd have been in a lot more games .. their defense, under Nelson, performed well for the most part.