It may still be two months away, but CFL free agency was very much on the mind of the Ottawa RedBlacks on Tuesday.

The CFL released its list of potential free agents and there are some whopping big names who could be available come Feb. 10 at noon when teams can wave promises and some big dollars to go along with that.

At a quick glance, it’s … Wow! There are some guys who could come in and make the RedBlacks instantly better.

How about Hamilton Tiger-Cats receiver and return specialist Brandon Banks? Montreal Alouettes receivers Duron Carter or S.J. Green?

At receiver, the RedBlacks could have a chance at Greg Ellingson, Samuel Giguere or Luke Tasker (Hamilton), Weston Dressler (Saskatchewan) or maybe they want to give former Ottawa Gee-Gees QB/now receiver Brad Sinopoli (Calgary) a shot.

At linebacker, there’s Bear Woods (Montreal), Marcellus Bowman (Hamilton) and Odell Willis (Edmonton).

On the O-line, there’s Ben Heenan (Saskatchewan), Brett Jones (Calgary), Greg Wojt (Hamilton), Matt O’Donnell (Edmonton) and a great young player with Ottawa ties, Tyler Holmes (Toronto).

At defensive back, there’s Delvin Breaux (Hamilton) and Geoff Tisdale (Montreal).

“We would hope to be able to get a couple of players who are difference makers,” said RedBlacks GM Marcel Desjardins. “Basically, the list is what we thought it would be. Teams still have until Feb. 10 to negotiate, so there may be some players come off the list.”

It seems like an extraordinarily long list of players who could be searching for new homes. Part of that may be as a result of the new collective bargaining agreement, with an increase in each team’s salary cap to more than $5 million.

In their expansion season, the RedBlacks signed QB Henry Burris to a contract believed to call for a salary of something in the $450,000 range and also added former all-star DB Jovon Johnson among their signings.

“Last year, we were willing to spend if it was the right guy,” said Desjardins. “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.”

Ottawa won’t be shy about offering big money to the right players; in particular they would like at least one impact receiver, a top offensive lineman, a difference-making defensive end and maybe a defensive back with a bit more size. But it’s not always all about money when the free agents make a choice on where to play.

The fact that the RedBlacks were 2-16 in their first season could be a checkmark against them.

“When we look at a player, we don’t know if Ottawa is in his scope,” said Desjardins. “We may not be able to offer everything they want. Maybe they want to play close to home, maybe they feel more comfortable playing in a place where they’re been for awhile.”

The RedBlacks have some free agents of their own. Offensive lineman Joe Eppele, who spent the season on the injured list, won’t be back. It’s expected linebacker Jason Pottinger will retire. Defensive lineman Moton Hopkins had a workout with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday and if that doesn’t work out, the RedBlacks are open to bringing him back.

Ottawa would like to have offensive lineman Alex Krausnick back as well. Receivers Dobson Collins and Wallace Miles and running back Jonathan Williams are also possibilities to return.

WHO'S FREE?

A look at RedBlacks players eligible for free agency as of Feb. 10