The Ottawa RedBlacks and their starting quarterback Henry Burris have given each other a nice Christmas present.

The Sun has learned that the 39-year-old Burris agreed to reconfigure his contract, which has two years remaining, to allow the RedBlacks to gain cap space for the 2015 season. Burris got the money early, with the cash pushed forward to the 2014 season, with the RedBlacks having the cap space to spare.

RedBlacks GM Marcel Desjardins confirmed the agreement, also emphasizing that Burris will return for the 2015 season.

"Henry (Burris) does a lot of good things, but there are things he has to do better," said Desjardins last month. "Are there plays that could have been made? Absolutely. But the same could be said about everybody."

The CFL salary cap was $5 million in 2014, with Burris earning more than $450,000. There will be a slight bump in the cap for the 2015 season.

Increased salary-cap room will allow the RedBlacks more flexibility to look to add players either through free agency or trades.

"One of the things we lack is big playmaking ability," said Desjardins. "We would hope to be able to get a couple of players who are difference makers. We can't go sign 10 of them. But we know who we want. Last year, we were willing to spend if it was the right guy. We're looking at the list and there are going to be a handful of guys who are very attractive, guys we would like to have.

"One thing that's encouraging: There are players on pretty much every team who are passing the word along that they'd love to be here. They see the environment we have here and they see we're not that far off."

The 2015 list of free agents includes receiver and return specialist Brandon Banks and receivers Duron Carter (who will get NFL looks) and S.J. Green. Other free-agent options include receivers Greg Ellingson, Ernest Jackson, Samuel Giguere, Luke Tasker, Weston Dressler and Brad Sinopoli, linebackers Bear Woods, Marcellus Bowman and Odell Willis, offensive linemen Ben Heenan, Brett Jones, Greg Wojt, Matt O'Donnell and Tyler Holmes and defensive backs Delvin Breaux and Geoff Tisdale.

GIBSON CHASES RAMS JOB

Former RedBlacks offensive co-ordinator Mike Gibson interviewed for the job as head coach of the University of Regina Rams last week. The U of R is looking to replace Frank McCrystal, who will step away at the end of the year. Gibson is no stranger to Saskatchewan, working with the Roughridres as assistant head coach and offensive line coach in 2007, when the team won the Grey Cup.

Twitter: @timcbaines