Ottawa Redblacks make big free agency moves, nabbing Jackson, Sinopoli, Ellingson and Rogers

Coming off a disappointing debut season that saw them finish 2-16, the Ottawa Redblacks are making big moves in free agency in an attempt to turn things around, particularly revamping the receiving corps. General manager Marcel Desjardins signed import receiver Ernest Jackson from B.C. Tuesday and added import Greg Ellingson from Hamilton and Canadian Brad Sinopoli from Calgary Wednesday. That's in addition to the trade he made earlier this offseason, grabbing Maurice Price from the Stampeders in exchange for Jasper Simmons. Desjardins also made a big addition on the offensive line, signing tackle SirVincent Rogers from Toronto Wednesday. What do these moves mean for the Redblacks, and will they help them get better in Year Two?

The makeover of the receiving corps is particularly notable, as that was a key problem area for Ottawa last season. The Redblacks' offence on the whole was dismal, averaging a league-worst 15.4 points per game, and while their passing offence was middling overall, it struggled brutally in the red zone. A lot of that was about drops or poorly-run routes by the receivers, and the receiving cast didn't inspire much confidence; especially after Marcus Henry (67 catches for 824 yards and two touchdowns on the season; he'll be back) and Wallace Miles (50 for 734 and four; he's a free agent). Ottawa will be hoping these new additions change their receiving fortunes, and there's certainly a good chance of that.

Jackson may be the critical piece here. The 28-year-old is heading into his fourth CFL season, and 2014 was the year where he really stepped up and became a critical contributor for the Lions. He hauled in 49 balls for 813 yards (second on the team, behind only Emmanuel Arceneaux) and three touchdowns on the season, and showed his big-play ability, averaging 16.6 yards per catch. That YPC figure was better than everyone ahead of him in total receiving yardage except Winnipeg's Clarence Denmark, who also had a 16.6 YPC. With Price (34 catches for 544 yards and two touchdowns in an injury-marred 2014, but a 16.0 YPC) and Jackson, Ottawa now has two substantial vertical threats to work with.

Ellingson and Sinopoli could also be useful additions. Ellingson was limited by injuries in 2014, plus was buried in a deep Hamilton receiving corps, and he only had 32 catches for 429 yards and no touchdowns. He had an impressive CFL debut in 2013, though, making 52 catches for 800 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Sinopoli is a converted quarterback who's done quite well as a receiver when he has played, recording 417 and 197 yards in the last two seasons respectively. He hasn't been able to crack the Calgary lineup regularly or see many targets when he has, though. We'll see if things work out differently for him in Ottawa, but he definitely gives the Redblacks some more Canadian depth at receiver.

Rogers may also be an important piece. The Redblacks' line had its struggles last season, and that was certainly part of their offensive issues.  The 6'4'', 319-pound Rogers looked like a promising tackle the last two seasons with Toronto, and if he can bring that level of play to Ottawa, he may help reinforce their line. More time in the pocket for Henry Burris might do a great deal to improve the passing stats.

Of course, there's still the question of just how good Burris (who turns 40 in June) will be this season. His stats took a nosedive in 2014, and while it's debateable how much of that was on him and how much of it was about Ottawa's receiver, offensive line and coaching issues, he certainly didn't cover himself in glory last year. The Redblacks have demonstrated that they seem to believe in him for at least the time being, though; they've now changed the offensive coaching staff, made over the receiving corps and upgraded the line, but they've left Burris as their expected starter. We'll see if he can turn in improved results with better talent around him, or if Ottawa might have to look at a quarterback change too.