For Chevon Walker, the timing of a season-ending broken forearm couldn't have been worse.

It was as painful as much of the RedBlacks' season was to fans. Early in September, Walker was stretching his arm out with the ball, trying to cross the goal line, when he was drilled by a B.C. Lions defender. The ball fell to the turf and was recovered by the Lions, who would hang on for a 7-5 win -- just one of the games Ottawa should have won.

Walker had just gotten a hefty raise, which brings him in the neighbourhood of $125,000 this season, and in his 10th game, was at 458 yards rushing on 101 carries.

"I had a new contract, I had a good season going on a new team, in a new community," said Walker. "It was devastating when it happened. It really took the wind out of me. I've watched the play, but I don't want to look back and say I would have done anything differently. It was just meant to happen.

"I didn't really feel anything until I got to the locker room and I tried to get my pads off. I remember thinking, 'This really hurts.' I thought I had dislocated something. Pain is just pain, this will make me stronger."

Walker has been working hard to prepare for the 2015 season, with a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

"I'm feeling good, I'm getting there," he said. "My adrenaline is pumping. I'm so determined and ready to go right now. I'm so geeked. I feel like this is the year I have lots to prove. I don't like taking the money and then have this happen. It's going to improve my game and make me more focused. I feel like I haven't played football in two years. It's going to be a different Chevon out there."

He said he'll do whatever the coaches want him to do, which could involve a request to turn his shoulders up field quicker.

"Because of my speed, I think I can make things happen outside," he said. "I'm not the guy who gets negative yards. But if the coaches are telling me to go more north-south, I'm going to have to take the ball more downhill."

Winning just twice in 18 tries isn't acceptable to Walker or anybody else associated with the RedBlacks. Walker expects so much more in 2015.

"We gave a lot of games away," he said. "You can't have that if you're a group of professional football players. We have to be smarter and we have to be better. We were young, we had a lot of first-year starters. We've been through adversity already and I can promise you one thing, we're going to be a better team."

BIG NAMES ON LISTS

The RedBlacks are near capacity on their neg list, with the CFL increasing the size of the number of players who can be protected and exclusively (in the CFL) negotiated with. Teams can now have 45 names on their list, before reducing it to 35 by May 15. Returner/receiver Jamill Smith is one of the players the RedBlacks signed off their original neg list, which also included QB David Fales (now with the Chicago Bears). Sun Media's Scott Mitchell says some of the interesting names on CFL neg lists include: QB Tim Tebow (Montreal), QB Johnny Manziel (Hamilton), WR Josh Gordon (Calgary), QB Vince Young (Montreal), QB Terrelle Pryor (B.C.) and DE Michael Sam (Montreal).

JOVON PUMPED

Cornerback Jovon Johnson, wanting to erase memories of the RedBlacks' 2-16 finish last season, started training earlier and can't wait to get things going for the 2015 season. "I've been pumped and ready to play since the season ended," he said. "I'm excited to see what kind of changes we make." He likes the addition of receiver Maurice Price, who the RedBlacks got by dealing linebacker Jasper Simmons and receiver Dan Buckner to Calgary. "Maurice is an electrifying receiver. He's a playmaker," said Johnson. "He can stretch the field and gives us that dimension where we can take shots (downfield). Mo will be a very good addition."

DRAFT PEEK

Here's a look at the latest Top 10 rankings by the CFL Scouting Bureau. Two of the players - Alex Mateas (Ottawa)and Danny Groulx (Gatineau) - have local connections.

1. Brett Boyko, OL, UNLV

2. Alex Mateas, OL, Uconn

3. Daryl Waud, DL, Western

4. Tyler Varga, RB, Yale

This kid is good, maybe good enough to play in the NFL, possibly the CFL's next Jon Cornish, impact-wise. From Kitchener, Varga made a huge impact at Western in 2011, named the CIS rookie of the year. Also very strong academically, Varga got into Yale, where he dominated last season with 1,423 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns. Twice, he scored five touchdowns in a game. The 5-foot-11, 224-lb. Machine rushed for 31 yards on four carries, caught three passes for 39 yards and scored two touchdowns in the Senior Bowl in Alabama. Up next: The NFL Combine. He's maybe even worthy of being the top pick overall, but he's also projected to be drafted into the NFL. So CFL teams may shy away. They also know that they could be passing on a kid who could be a superstar north of the border.

5. Nic Demski, WR, Manitoba

6. Sean McEwen, OL, Calgary

7. Sukh Chung, OL, Calgary

8. Danny Groulx, OL, Laval

9. Addison Richards, WR, Regina

10. Jacob Ruby, OL, Richmond

FREE-AGENT WATCH

If the RedBlacks are going to chase a national (that's Canadian in CFL-speak) offensive lineman, Brett Jones is a gem who could hit free agency. But it seems like a longshot that he will be coerced to play in the nation's capital. So here's a name for you: Stanley Bryant. A left tackle, he was an all-star for the best team in the CFL last season -- the Calgary Stampeders. A late cut of the Denver Broncos in 2009, he's 6-foot-5, 313 lbs. And he's just 28.

Twitter: @timcbaines