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OTTAWA -- Henry Burris couldnt pass up the chance to help build a franchise from the ground up. Elite Mike Evans Womens Red Jersey . The veteran quarterback signed a three-year contract with the expansion Ottawa Redblacks on Tuesday, just six days after getting released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. "The opportunity to be a part of something fresh and new was something that my family and I just couldnt turn down," Burris said after being introduced to the media. "We had to be a part of this. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to leave your fingerprints, your footprint on a growing organization that will be around for years and years to come. "To know that we were a part of what started this, thats a great way as far as your legacy to leave a print." The move ends a whirlwind week for Burris, who was released by the Tiger-Cats after the club signed Zach Collaros to be their starting quarterback. The 38-year-old -- who was cut by Hamilton despite leading them to last seasons Grey Cup game -- should provide immediate stability and leadership for the expansion Redblacks as the CFL returns to the nations capital this season. "I really dont look at this as an expansion team," said Burris. "Last season in Hamilton we had the youngest team in the league on both sides of the ball and I was changing (diapers) day in and day out. I expect some of the same challenges (in Ottawa). "As weve seen in this league its not how you start, its how you finish and that gives you plenty of time to overcome your growing pains and to make your mistakes early on." Ottawa will be Burris fourth CFL team after stops with the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Tiger-Cats. He won two Grey Cups during his time with the Stampeders and was named the games MVP in 2008. Burris led the Tiger-Cats to last seasons Grey Cup, where Hamilton fell 45-23 to Saskatchewan. He was tops in the league with 4,925 passing yards in 2013 to go along with 24 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. In 15 CFL seasons, the native of Spiro, Oklahoma, ranks fourth all-time in regular-season passing yards (51,529), touchdown passes (324) and completions (3,672). After getting his walking papers from the Tiger-Cats, Burris was immediately approached by the Redblacks and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Both teams offered enticing opportunities, but apart from getting a chance to set the standard with a new team, Ottawa offered Burris something Winnipeg couldnt -- the opportunity to play in front of his family. Knowing this would be his final contract, Burris said he has a number of relatives in Springfield, Mass., who are already looking forward to making the trip to Ottawa to see him in action. "To be close enough to family where they can actually come and spend time with our family and get to know our children and also see this guy that used to be called little Henry now playing football and living out his dream playing professional football," he said. "We have family that live about five hours away from here and trust me theyre all excited because now were playing at home for them." The Redblacks currently have three quarterbacks under contract that started CFL games last season. Ottawa acquired 34-year-old Kevin Glenn and Thomas Demarco through the expansion draft, and also has Matt Faulkner on its roster. It was widely believed that Glenn, who split time under centre with the Stampeders in 2013 and finished with 2,710 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions, would be Ottawas starter. But any question as to who would lead the team into training camp was answered when Ottawa general manager Marcel Desjardins introduced Burris as the "new starting quarterback for the Redblacks." "Kevin is a great friend of mine and it was definitely tough making that decision, especially knowing that he was going to be here," said Burris. "But this is a business and for me this is my last go-around and Kevin hes got a lot more go-arounds left in him." Desjardins said the plan right now is to head to camp with all three quarterbacks. "For us to have three quarterbacks who have started and played a lot of games in this league is a benefit to our organization," said Desjardins. "Its not to say teams wont reach out to us and we wont reach out to teams, but when we decided to make this signing we decided that if we go to camp with these three guys were probably in as good a position as anybody in the league at quarterback." Desjardins added that he hopes the signing of Burris will show other players that the organization is serious about being a contender right from the start. The Redblacks are the CFLs third attempt at a franchise in Ottawa. The Rough Riders folded in 1996 after 120 years of operation. The expansion Renegades began play in 2002, but folded after just four seasons. Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell said he looks forward to having someone with Burris experience join the team. "When we step on the practice field for the first time were not going to feel like an expansion team having players like Henry and others who have won a lot of football games," said Campbell. "Thats going to help bring us on a lot faster." Burris will be 39 by the time the team takes to the field for the regular season, but Campbell said he sees no reason for concern. "I had to compete against him as a defensive co-ordinator this last year (with Calgary) and I thought physically he looked as good hes ever looked. His arm is live and hes running around and doing all those things. If you didnt know his age you wouldnt say that hes slowing down at all." Note: The CFL announced Tuesday that free agency will begin on Feb. 11 instead of Feb. 15. Vincent Jackson Jersey . Louis Cardinals. J.J. Hardy hit two of the Orioles season-high six home runs, and Baltimore cruised to a 12-2 victory Friday night to move a season-high 17 games over .500. It was a rare blowout for the Orioles, who scored three runs or fewer in 11 of their 20 previous games and have played 63 games decided by one or two runs. Mike Alstott Jersey . Cassano has been at the Policlinico facility since Saturday, when he was taken for tests after suffering what the club described as a brain problem on the team plane following the teams 3-2 victory over Roma. CLEVELAND -- With wads of money to spend, the Cleveland Browns didnt waste any time shoving millions into two defensive holes they created this winter. During the furious first few hours of free agency Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner, a Cleveland native who cant wait to play in his hometown. "I must now embark on my intended journey and become a Cleveland Brown," Whitner wrote on his Twitter account. "A place thats very dear to my heart!" Also, the Browns reportedly struck a deal with inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, who resurrected his career last season in his second stint with Arizona. The team has not made any announcements. With $49 million of space under the salary cap to sign players, new Cleveland general manager Ray Farmer addressed two pressing needs after the club decided not to re-sign safety T.J. Ward or linebacker DQwell Jackson -- the Browns top tacklers last season and two of their best players. Whitners deal is reportedly worth $28 million over four years, and Dansbys is for $24 million -- $14 million guaranteed -- over four years. Farmer could be working on a blockbuster deal, with the Browns said to be interested in trading with Tampa Bay for shutdown cornerback Darrelle Revis. If they can land Revis and pair him with Pro Bowler Joe Haden, the Browns would have arguably the NFLs best tandem of cornerbacks. The Buccaneers are eager to part with Revis, who makes $16 million a year. Revis has a previous relationship with Browns coach Mike Pettine, who coached him in New York. The Browns didnt ignore their offence on the first day of free agency, signing Cincinnati wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. The Bengals have five days to match the contract or Hawkins will join the Browns, who need a replacement at slot receiver after releasing troubled veteran Davone Bess. A two-time Pro Bowler, Whitner is returning to Cleveland to help turn around a franchise he pulled for as a kid. As word of his signing leaked out shortly after 4 p.m., Whitner, who played at Ohio Statte before he was drafted by Buffalo, tweeted "O-H" in a nod to both his alma mater and home state. Bobby Rainey Shirts. After playing 14 seasons in Cleveland, 49ers kicker Phil Dawson can appreciate Whitners excitement about the homecoming. "If most guys are honest, they have a soft spot in their hearts for their hometown, and obviously Dontes getting to go home," Dawson said on a conference call after receiving a new two-year deal with San Francisco. "One thing I know about Cleveland is when you grow up there, you wear orange and brown. No matter where you go or how far youve been gone, if youve grown up in Cleveland, youre a Browns fan. "Im sure its a special opportunity for Donte. Obviously were going to miss him. Hes a great player. Hell be a huge addition to that organization." Whitner spent five seasons with the Bills, who selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in 2006. Nicknamed "Hitner," the 28-year-old signed a three-year, $11.75 million free-agent deal with San Francisco in 2011 and played three seasons with the 49ers, getting to the NFC championship each year. Hes been durable, missing just one game in the past four seasons. Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer, another proud Clevelander, is thrilled to have Whitner as a new teammate. "Great to have another hometown guy here to help us win! Congrats @DonteWhitner!" Hoyer posted on his Twitter account. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Dansby fills the void left by the surprising departure of Jackson, the respected captain and team leader. Dansby, 32, had 122 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and four interceptions with the Cardinals last season. He spent his first six years with Arizona, signed with Miami for three and then returned to the Cardinals as a free agent in 2013. A speedster who played collegiately at Toledo, Hawkins worked out for Cleveland in 2008 before he signed in the Canadian Football League. The 28-year-old signed with the Bengals in 2011 and had a career-high 51 receptions for 533 yards and four touchdowns in 2012. He was limited to eight games last season because of an ankle injury. ' ' ' |
