Burris's reworked contract raises questions for former Argo Trevor Harris.

Remember that neat and tidy arrangement that had Henry Burris playing one last CFL season before stepping aside for the heir apparent, Trevor Harris, in 2017?
Well, scrap that. Maybe. Or maybe not.
Anything is possible now that we know Burris re-worked his contract some time ago to ensure he’s around in 2017. As if you hadn’t heard, 2017 is going to be a special year in Ottawa sport, CFL included, with Ottawa all but certain to be the host city for the Grey Cup game.
“If there’s a chance of us getting the Grey Cup here for next year, I want to definitely be a part of this team and having a chance to win that. I mean what better way to close a career?” Burris said after Monday’s training camp session at TD Place.
Blame it on the Super Bowl. Burris watched 39-year-old Peyton Manning hang on to win with the Denver Broncos in Manning’s last game and said, ‘I’ll have what he’s having.’
Burris will be 41 on June 4 but is in supreme condition, and led the Redblacks to a surprise Grey Cup appearance in 2015, the Redblacks’ second season of operation. Entering his 21st professional season, Burris starts camp with a rookie’s energy and enthusiasm.
In other words, same old Henry, although he’d really appreciate it if you dropped the “old” part of the equation.
Harris, who turns 30 on Tuesday, was a significant acquisition for Ottawa on the first day of free agency in early February. In Toronto, Harris played behind another legendary CFL veteran, Ricky Ray. In a breakthrough season, Harris emerged as the starter for most of 2015 while Ray rehabilitated a shoulder injury before reclaiming his job in October.
To the surprise of some, the Argos opted to go with Ray as their starter again in 2016, leaving Harris free to sign with the Redblacks. The transition from Henry to Trevor seemed about as perfect as a football handoff could be, at least in theory.
“We wanted to secure a starting quarterback for 2017,” said Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins when he signed Harris on Feb. 9.
Harris may yet be that 2017 starter, and he will be paid like one, but Burris has served notice he will be in the picture, too.
The newest Ottawa quarterback doesn’t seem fazed by the idea of two more years of Henry, instead of one. He expected to be a backup this season, and that hasn’t changed. But surely he wouldn’t have signed here without an assurance he would get his chance to start in 2017.
He is placing his faith in the organization, and his own talent.
“The easiest way to not have a quarterback controversy is you don’t have one,” Harris says. “They’ve done that so far this year and I’m sure they will next year. They will have a plan.
“Whatever the plan is moving forward, we’ll go with that. I’m just going to focus on being the best leader I can possibly be.”
Head coach Rick Campbell suddenly has an embarrassment of riches at the most important position. Behind Burris and Harris are two other interesting quarterbacks in Brock Jensen and Danny O’Brien. So far, so co-operative, Campbell says.
“All cards were on the table,” Campbell said, when asked about keeping his quarterbacks content. “There were no surprises, anything like that. Everyone knew the situation they were getting into. They’ve been nothing but great so far, supporting each other and supporting the team.”
A lot can happen between this year and next to put the quarterback conundrum in a different light. And if the worst that happens is that two strong-armed CFL veterans are going head to head next June, that’s not so bad. Tricky transitions of power are common in sports, business and royal families.
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