Burris signs with Ottawa RedBlacks

Feb 4, 2014 | Sports

By Corey Weir
Quarterback Henry Burris at training camp for the Calgary Stampeders

Quarterback Henry Burris at training camp for the Calgary Stampeders

Just weeks after being released by the Hamilton Tiger Cats, quarterback Henry Burris has signed with a new addition to the Canadian Football League, the Ottawa RedBlacks.

Burris, 38, has played in the National Football League, playing one season for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears,.

His CFL resume includes stints with Saskatchewan, Calgary, Hamilton and now Ottawa as the newest member of the expansion team.

Scott Billeck, Winnipeg Blue Bomber beat reporter for the Huddle magazine, said the signing is a good one for Ottawa but a shocker for some of the rest of the teams in the CFL.

 

SCOTT BILLECK INTERVIEW

 

Darrin Bauming, reporter for TSN 1290 in Winnipeg, said the signing may cause some money issues for the RedBlacks, that will need to be figured out.

 

DARRIN BAUMING INTERVIEW

 

Kevin Glenn accepting Tom Pate Memorial Award

Kevin Glenn accepting Tom Pate Memorial Award

On a day when the focus started out on Burris and his signing, the focus quickly moved to now back up quarterback Kevin Glenn.

Glenn was chosen first overall in the RedBlacks expansion draft and that led many to believe that he would own starter status.

Billeck said now with the Burris signing that could potentially push Glenn out of a starting position, he doesn’t see Glenn being too pleased about the position he is in now.

 

 

SCOTT BILLICK INTERVIEW

 

This ripple effect all started when the Tiger Cats brought in Former Toronto Argonaut quarterback Zach Collaros.

Once Collaros was signed, there was no room on the roster for Burris, so he was released.

Burris brought the Tiger Cats to the Grey Cup in Regina this past season and now puts Collaros in the driver seat to make that happen for Hamilton.

Bauming said he likes what he has seen out of Collaros and feels pairing him with head coach Kent Austin can’t hurt.

 

DARRIN BAUMING INTERVIEW

 

With the move made on Tuesday, it leaves one team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, uncertain about who their starting quarterback will be.

Three of the nine teams in the CFL, Montreal, Ottawa and Hamilton, will have new starting quarterbacks this season.

If by chance Glenn goes to another team, such a move could mean nearly half the league will have new starting quarterbacks.

To throw an even bigger twist into everything, free agency hasn’t even opened yet.

Free agency is set to open Feb. 11.