signed a three-year contract with the expansion

OTTAWA -- Henry Burris couldnt pass up the chance to help build a franchise from the ground up. 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. Cheap Wade Boggs Jersey . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail. Cheap Rays Jerseys . They started shooting the puck. Joe Pavelski had a hat trick to move into a tie for second in the NHL in goals and the Sharks beat Philadelphia 7-3 Thursday night in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break. http://www.cheapraysjerseys.com/ . -- Having already fallen behind because of the NFL lockout, Blaine Gabbert couldnt afford a lengthy holdout. Cheap Rays Jerseys China . Salah, who scored against Chelsea in two Champions League group matches this season, is Jose Mourinhos third significant recruit in the January transfer window after Nemanja Matic and Bertrand Traore. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic .com) - The Miami Heat stopped a four-game losing streak last time out and thats the same length slide their opponents Wednesday night, the Denver Nuggets, will try to halt when the two teams meet at the Pepsi Center.PARIS – Eugenie Bouchard could downplay expectations. Nobody would blame her. Shes only 20-years-old after all and playing in just her second French Open. But when asked what would need to happen to make her campaign at Roland Garros this season a success, Canadas rising star doesnt hold back. "To win it," Bouchard said, her own boldness yielding a laugh. But, make no mistake, she is dead serious. "I always expect high things of myself and Ive been working so hard for so many years that nothing is a real surprise to me and I have big ambitions in tennis. I want to achieve great things." Bouchard certainly isnt lacking confidence. She showed that during a magical run to the Australian Open semifinals in January. But Bouchard has a specific reason to have a hop in her step these days. On Saturday, she beat Karolina Pliskova in the championship match of the Nuremberg Cup, earning her first career WTA title. "Just so happy," said Bouchard describing the emotions in the moments after match point. "To go to a city and leave and not lose a match and win all the matches is something special." Bouchard almost didnt play in the tournament. Most top players will not travel to an event in the week before a grand slam choosing instead to rest, practice and arrive at the venue early. But after disappointing first-round straight-set losses at tune-up events in Madrid (v No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska) and Rome (v No. 61 Francesca Schiavone) Bouchard was convinced that playing more was the best way to prep for the seasons second major. "We were debating whether to even come to Nuremberg and I said, You know what? I want to play matches. I want to keep trying and keep working. We got here early and practiced. It was pretty cold early in the week, it was tough practices, tough conditions, but I kept working hard and Im proud of myself for that. When you work hard good things happen. I think thats what happened this week." That Bouchards first career championship came on clay is a bit of a surprise. It is not her favourite surface. "My game is prretty aggressive, so I like to step in and control the point and the clay just slows it up a little bit, but its a good thing.dddddddddddd It teaches me patience ... sometimes Im not so patient. "It adds different dimensions to your game and if I can perform well on clay it will show myself that I can have a well-rounded game." Last year Bouchards run at the French Open ended in the second round at the hands of eventual finalist Maria Sharapova. It was a tough loss (6-2, 6-4), but one that made the Montreal native stronger. "I think it helps for sure. I got to play on centre court, experienced a rain delay, my match was over two days and its all part of the experience. I always enjoy the chance to play one of the great players and I always learn so much. Ive learned from that match." Bouchard wont have to deal with Sharapova or any other top name early in the tournament this time around. Thats one of the perks of being the 18th seed. Bouchard will open against 86th ranked Israeli Shahar Peer, who has lost all three matches to the Canadian in her career including one in March (6-2, 6-2 in Acapulco). Waiting in the second round should Bouchard advance will be either German Julia Goerges or Portugals Michelle Larcher De Brito. Both are outside the top 100 in the latest rankings. The third round is when things may get tougher as No. 12 Flavia Pennetta would be a formidable roadblock, but far from unbeatable. But first things first: Bouchard needs to get settled in France. One negative repercussion from playing in the week before a slam is that it makes for a tight turnaround. There was a 90-minute flight from Nuremberg to Paris on Saturday night followed by a practice on Sunday. Bouchards match against Peer is set for Monday. Although theres actually a chance the short rest time may be a good thing. "I always like playing matches so, for me, the more I can play the better. I can get in a rhythm of playing competitive matches and I think it gives me extra confidence." Extra confidence? Not a fun thought for those in Bouchards section of the draw. 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