Don’t expect more big splurges for Ottawa Redblacks in CFL free agency

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After a busy couple of weeks leading into Canadian Football League free agency, the Ottawa Redblacks likely don’t have any big-money moves remaining.

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So don’t count on the Redblacks landing potential free agents like receiver Tim White or defensive end Mathieu Betts.

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It may be surprising to some, but the Redblacks don’t have a lot of wiggle room off this year’s salary cap of $5.585 million. If there are any further additions, the asking prices may have to come down.

“You’re working within the salary-cap system,” Redblacks general manager Shawn Burke said Thursday. “The reality is free agency isn’t done. There are a lot of players still out there. Sometimes it takes time for them to realize where their market is and where it isn’t. Sometimes it’s better to be patient and see what flushes out.

“At the same time, it’s our job to look at how organizations have been built to have success, where they allocate their money and maybe learn from that. As a scouting staff, we have a job to do to bring in players, too. You’re not going to fill every position with the veterans you sign in free agency. When you sign players in free agency, you’re spending money. At certain points, you have to save money. We’re confident we can find players that fill needs. We may not be signing guys in certain areas, but it doesn’t mean we’re not recruiting guys in those areas so we can get better.”

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Earlier this week, the Redblacks signed strong-side linebacker/defensive back Adarius Pickett to a one-year contract reportedly worth $170,000. He was one of the top available players. Because he was released by the Toronto Argonauts, the Redblacks were able to get a deal signed in advance of free agency, which begins next Tuesday at noon. Teams have been able to negotiate with potential free agents in the CFL’s “legal tampering window” since last Sunday. That window closes this Sunday.

Many players have already come to agreements to move to new teams, but contracts can’t officially be signed until Tuesday at noon.

With a couple of big moves a few weeks ago, including the signings of quarterback Dru Brown and receiver Dominique Rhymes, the Redblacks struck early.

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They released offensive lineman Jacob Ruby, then signed Dariusz Bladek as his replacement.

Receiver Nate Behar, who spent the past three seasons with the Redblacks, was released with the team paying his $30,000 guarantee from a $140,000 contract.

The Redblacks have also been busy signing some of their own potential free agents. Among the significant deals reached: defensive linemen Bryce Carter, Lorenzo Mauldin IV and Michael Wakefield; defensive backs Justin Howell, Brandin Dandridge and Damon Webb; receiver Bralon Addison; and linebacker Frankie Griffin. Returner/receiver DeVonte Dedmon will return with a renegotiated deal.

‘For us, free agency obviously started a while ago,” Burke said. “You prioritize the players on your own team, and Bryce and Lorenzo were two guys we wanted to have back, along with (Wakefield). Maybe people are looking now and seeing we’re not as active in the free-agency period. We feel we got two guys back in our organization who would have been highly sought after if they got into (free agency). And there would have been a lot of pressure on us to get something done.

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“Dominique became available, and we pounced on that. We traded for Dru and got him signed. We started focusing on our internal must-signs.”

Where did all the money go? Re-signing players, especially those coming off rookie contracts, costs money, sometimes big money. Carter and Hardy would have been given big raises.

Pickett was a nice get. After two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, the 27-year-old played for the Argos last year. He was named an all-star after finishing second in the CFL with 124 tackles, adding six sacks and a forced fumble.

“We made an aggressive pursuit as soon as the window opened,” Burke said. “He got a call from me within 30 seconds of it being 12 o’clock, and then follow-up calls from numerous people on our staff.

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“Adarius was a guy we identified as we went through our free-agent process, a big target for us. He makes plays. He plays fast and plays with a motor all the time. You want guys who play hard and play football the right way. (Pickett) has continued to progress each season. You see the amount of plays he makes on the field. And, from doing research, you hear what he brings to an organization in terms of leadership on and off the field. You’re excited when you get a commitment from someone who wants to join your organization and believes in what you’re doing.”

The Redblacks announced Thursday they had also signed defensive linemen Jamare Edwards (James Madison) and Deyon Sizer (CSU Pueblo), defensive backs Adrian Frye (Texas Tech) and Bralen Trahan (Louisiana at Lafayette) and linebacker Kaleb Oliver (Western Kentucky).

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