CHANGING OF THE GUARD
CFL free agency period begins
Jerrell Gavins figures he could have got more money as a free agent — probably at least half of the other eight teams would have opened up their chequebooks to welcome a former CFL all-star who can play a couple of different positions.
But even while he was turning down a couple of contract offers from the Redblacks, Gavins knew Ottawa was where he wanted to be. It made a whole lot of sense for him geographically, plus in his heart.
So on Monday he signed off on a one-year deal worth $100,000 to stay with the Redblacks, who could lose up to 17 players after CFL free agency begins Tuesday at noon.
“It’s family first for me,” Gavins said Monday night. “Three reasons to come back: Quick and easy flight for my family. No. 2, I’ve been there. And, No. 3, I like my teammates.
“I could have run off and played somewhere else. I could have got more money. But it’s all about what you’re comfortable with. I’m comfortable in Ottawa. I know the city, I know the system, I know what’s required of me.”
The 28-year-old Gavins was an all-star defensive back who was switched to strong outside linebacker midway through last season. He had 32 tackles and a forced fumble. In three seasons with the Redblacks, Gavins has 126 tackles and six interceptions in 44 games. There’s a strong level of consistency, plus he’s a cerebral guy with a drive to make a difference on and off the football field.
“Jerrell comes at a lot of things from a different perspective,” said Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins. “He has a different view on life and football and sometimes it’s good to have that. He’s a bit more philosophical and analytical.”
It’s not like the deal came together overnight. The two sides have been looking to get something in place for going on three months.
“They sent me an offer way back, like two days after the Grey Cup,” Gavins said. “I didn’t like that first offer. We took a month off, then they sent me another offer which was a lot higher. We didn’t do that. I was thinking about free agency, then they came in with another, higher offer. I wanted to be in Ottawa so I took the deal.”
Back home in Miami, Gavins is working part time for U-Haul, while spending plenty of time working out and at his favourite playground — the beach, where he runs, pivots and backpedals in the sand.
“Sand and water is the best resistance for you,” Gavins once explained. “There are divots and as you take a step up, you sink into the sand. It helps you build the small muscles and the big muscles. It’s like running a gauntlet.”
He’s also spending a significant amount of time studying so he can be a better player.
“I watch film,” Gavins said. “In my head, I’m trying to figure out how to correct mistakes. I’ve always been about trying to get better. I know what I’m capable of doing. There’s no reason why I should be letting somebody catch a ball or there’s no reason I should be missing a tackle. Coach (Rick) Campbell says, ‘Perfection is hard, but you can get to excellence.’ ”
Defensive backs Mitchell White, Jeff Richards and Forrest Hightower all signed NFL contracts and Abdul Kanneh is likely to leave as a free agent, so convincing Gavins to return is a big plus for the Redblacks.
“I’ve been talking to everybody, we Snapchat, we chit-chat,” Gavins said. “You can’t be playing selfishly just to enjoy the game without providing for your family. When you’re a football player, the window closes. So money does play a big part.
“Some players will leave, there should be nothing negative about it. I believe Abdul is one of the best, if not the best DB in the league. So you need to be paid like that.”
There may be change, coming off a Grey Cup championship, but Gavins is confident it will be a team that can achieve big things in a year where Ottawa will host the Grey Cup.
“We have enough good players,” he said. “We have a lot of underrated players that nobody speaks about. We have a good locker-room, a good organization and we know we’re going to get things done.”
Three reasons to come back: Quick and easy flight for my family. No. 2, I’ve been there. And, No. 3, I like my teammates.