Chris Williams back in the CFL

[TheLionKing]

OTTAWA -- After six long months, the Ottawa REDBLACKS finally closed the deal on Chris Williams.

The team announced it has signed one of the most electrifying CFL players in recent memory on Tuesday, ending a process that General Manager Marcel Desjardins says he started budgeting for back in October.

“It started back in January and it was something we budgeted for back in October of last year to be safe,” said Desjardins. “It took a while to get this done, but we knew it would be a bit of a process with [the NFL] still being an option and with other teams still being an option

At the end of it all, the REDBLACKS may now have football’s most explosive player. Williams took the CFL by storm during his two-year tenure with the Ticats, amassing 2,362 yards and 17 touchdowns while breaking records on special teams.

In 2012, Williams scored five punt return touchdowns on 1,117 yards, setting a CFL single-season record.

“We’re happy to have a guy who’s so dynamic, not only as a returner because that’s where he’s so dynamic, but also as a receiver,” added the REDBLACKS’ second-year GM. “It’s going to add some interesting elements to what we’re able to do offensively.”

The addition is icing on the cake for the REDBLACKS this off-season, one in which addressing the receiving corps had to be at the top of the agenda. Ottawa won only two games last season, despite the leadership and experience of Henry Burris and improvement on defence throughout the season.

As fans pointed the finger at a lack of playmakers on offence, the team responded with key gains over the off-season including Maurice Price, Greg Ellingson, Ernest Jackson, Brad Sinopoli and now Williams – all proven CFL pass-catchers.

The REDBLACKS could also use Williams’ skills as a return specialist, after last season failing to record a single kick off or punt return touchdown.

“He’s an explosive player,” said Head Coach Rick Campbell. “We plan to use him as a receiver and specifically on punt returns and field goal returns. He also can do kickoff returns.”

“He can make the big play, which is a big part of CFL football.”

Williams joins the REDBLACKS after a two-year CFL absence, during which he played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears.

With the recent emergence of Brandon Banks and Williams’ 2012 exploits still in mind, debate has already begun over who the bigger playmaker will be in 2015.

Meanwhile, the REDBLACKS threaten to have the league’s number one receiving corps – on paper.

“I like what he said in his interview – we’re great on paper it seems, a lot of people are saying, but it doesn’t mean anything until you prove it and go out there and work,” said Jason Maas, entering his first season as an offensive coordinator in the Nation’s Capital.

“In just the little bit I’ve talked to him, he’s all about hard work and that’s what you look forward to coaching – people that are willing to do that.”

The REDBLACKS announced the move through an e-mail exclusively to their season ticket holders, who then released the news via social media. They’re excited, and so too is Williams to join an invigorated Ottawa fan base.

“Chevy says it’s a great atmosphere and you can’t beat it,” said Williams, who spoke to former and now current teammates Chevon Walker and Henry Burris before making a decision. “Sold out and fans are loud, so I’m looking forward to it.”

“My dealings with Marcel went very well,” added Williams, now 27 years old. “It was a good family atmosphere that I got, and having played with Chevy and Henry makes a big difference.”

[Blue In BC]

WOW. He's going to add alot of talent to their receiving corps. Good to see him back in the CFL, he's exciting to watch.

[Toppy Vann]

WOW. He's going to add alot of talent to their receiving corps. Good to see him back in the CFL, he's exciting to watch.

Yes, it is an exciting situation to have him back.

Interesting that he had no loyalty to the Ticats who pre-Austin IIRC they signed him really cheap and I guess that led to the bad relations and wanting out. Who really knows.

I just hope that he hasn't lost it due to not getting the playing time or hurt as the CFL needs more like him.

[Blue In BC]

WOW. He's going to add alot of talent to their receiving corps. Good to see him back in the CFL, he's exciting to watch.

Yes, it is an exciting situation to have him back.

Interesting that he had no loyalty to the Ticats who pre-Austin IIRC they signed him really cheap and I guess that led to the bad relations and wanting out. Who really knows.

I just hope that he hasn't lost it due to not getting the playing time or hurt as the CFL needs more like him.

Well I didn't have a good feeling about how Williams got himself out of his TiCat deal and out of the CFL. IMO that was pure BS.
Rookies generally get signed for cheap. Even very good players are not always successful in actually getting that NFL deal and land back in the CFL.

I'm not sure whether the TiCats had SMS room to bring him back and there may or may not be the issue of loyalty involved.

Players leave for other teams all the time. Usually money is a very large factor in the decision making process.

It was reported he got $100K signing bonus with a base salary of $120K with some incentives on a 1 year deal. That's pretty steep and not a lot of teams would be prepared to take that on this far after free agency and money spent.

No idea what other teams might have been involved in any bidding interest.

As a player I'd love to have him on my team. I'm not so sure I'd want to pay him that much money on a short time contract. Especially in Ottawa where getting to the playoffs or Grey Grey Cup in 2015 is still a very low probability

Virtually every other eastern team probably is still going to be ranked above Ottawa IMO. So in that sense, it's good for marketing and fan interest, might help win a few more games. Realistically it's not the best use of money for Ottawa trying to build a longer term roster. They had a pretty good receiving team after free agency pick ups.

[Sir Purrcival]

Sounds like a lot of money on a maybe. It wouldn't be the first time that a player who was tearing up the league left for a couple of years for the NFL, only to return and be only a portion of what they were at the time they left. Anyone remember John Avery? He was nowhere as good when he came back from the NFL and as I recall didn't stick very long with his former team.

[David]

No idea what other teams might have been involved in any bidding interest.

I read this morning that the Leos' put in an offer, rumoured to be $80K short (so likely $140K-$145K).

They're going to be pretty good at receiver with Ernest Jackson, Brad Sinopoli, and now Williams, but they're spending like drunken sailors to get there. Not sure it's the right strategy. Sure, it was a glaring weakness last year, but it's also a position that's among the easiest to fill from the many fast and sure-handed pass catchers down south. Calgary doesn't seem to have any trouble signing them anyways.


DH

[B.C.FAN]

No idea what other teams might have been involved in any bidding interest.

I read this morning that the Leos' put in an offer, rumoured to be $80K short (so likely $140K-$145K).

They're going to be pretty good at receiver with Ernest Jackson, Brad Sinopoli, and now Williams, but they're spending like drunken sailors to get there. Not sure it's the right strategy. Sure, it was a glaring weakness last year, but it's also a position that's among the easiest to fill from the many fast and sure-handed pass catchers down south. Calgary doesn't seem to have any trouble signing them anyways.


DH

Ottawa is overloaded with veteran receivers. They released ex-Lion Kierrie Johnson Wednesday. He was their leading receiver last year before an arm injury ended his season.

"He and Chris are very similar," said RedBlacks GM Marcel Desjardins Wednesday night. "You have to pick and choose. We're going with Chris. Kierrie was disappointed, but it didn't catch him totally off guard."

The Redblacks still have seven vets on their roster:
Ernest Jackson
Maurice Price
Chris Williams
Greg Ellingson
Marcus Henry
Matt Carter
Brad Sinopoli

The Lions also have an overabundance of CFL and NFL veterans, but the Lions don't have the speed that some of the Ottawa players offer. Speed seems to be one of the elements that Jeff Tedford is seeking in his receivers. I'd still welcome Johnson back here. I'm looking forward to see how Tedford plans to use people, starting Monday at three-day throwing camp. Football season begins next week.

[Toppy Vann]

BlueinBC:

Even very good players are not always successful in actually getting that NFL deal and land back in the CFL.

I'm not sure whether the TiCats had SMS room to bring him back and there may or may not be the issue of loyalty involved.

You guys saying this are right on. It's a huge gamble that doesn't all pay off that well for those who follow this path as the CFL on your resume still isn't a door opener in the NFL - well for some it might be.

I wasn't sure if Williams might have had an agent pushing him to ignore all Ticats overtures and sulk his way out or however it would work. I didn't read specifics though.

If he still has the juice he's the guy who can win it for you if you get some decent blocking on kick returns. He'd steal you then those games you might be losing when your offense stalls and settles for FGs vs TDs.