Brad Sinopoli missed the CFL playoffs for the first time in his nine-year career in 2019, but he never considered jumping ship in free agency.

Rather than test the market, the Peterborough native signed a two-year contract extension with the Ottawa Redblacks this month.

Sinopoli, 31, has had considerable personal and team success, reaching five Grey Cup games, winning two, in his first eight years as a pro. After winning their first two games this season, the Redblacks fell on hard times, losing 15 of their next 16 games.

"I made it known to them I want to be in Ottawa and I was hopeful they would feel the same way," Sinopoli said.

"They felt the same way so, for me, it was pretty easy. Just because a year doesn't go the way you want it to, I'm not going to jump ship and get the most money or this and that. I have a good thing going in Ottawa. I've been there for a lot of great moments. Last year wasn't the best moment but that doesn't mean I want to get out of there and start fresh. That's home for me."

Sinopoli and his wife Laura are expecting their first child in March. She is an Ottawa native. Sinopoli's brother Joel and sister Jennifer also live in Ottawa, where Brad attended university. A good support network is in place there.

"It's amazing to be able to play in a city you have settled down in and have a rapport with the fans and the front office and ownership. There is a lot of value in that. I'm looking forward to bouncing back from last year," he said.

The Redblacks lost key players to free agency, lost their offensive co-ordinator just prior to the season and sustained some significant injuries. All contributed to the team's demise, said Sinopoli.

"I feel like in years past we've had lulls in seasons and we've been able to play our way out of them. This year we just weren't able to do that," he said.

"I feel like you reach a point where that is kind of the mood with the team. Guys knew we were in some trouble. Things didn't go our way in games, either. We had a couple of close games I feel like we could have won which at least would have changed the momentum for us, and it just didn't happen."

After four consecutive years surpassing 1,000 all-purpose yards, including a high of 1,376 in 2018, the receiver's numbers dipped to 671 this year. His three touchdowns were in keeping with career averages. The offensive statistics are a reflection of team performance. His attempted catches were down significantly.

"As a player you tend to look back at yourself, too, and say, 'Hey I didn't have the greatest season.' I didn't help our team to have the best chance to win, either. Collectively, we just didn't all get it done when we needed to," he said.

"If an individual guy is having success on offence, I tend not to look at the individual. It's more so because we're having success offensively. Everything is working. Our O-line is playing really well, our quarterbacks are sharp, we're running the ball really well. Everything balances out and that's why you're having good numbers.

"Again, as a player, even when I'm personally having a good year there are a lot of things I look at in a game that I'm not happy with. You can never be complacent with where you are at. I can look back even to last year and pinpoint a drop or two that still eats me to this day. That stuff kind of never goes away."

mike.davies

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