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Three days before the start of CFL free agency, Ottawa Redblacks all-star defensive back Abdul Kanneh said he “wants to play in Ottawa.”

For salary-cap purposes, it just may not happen, a common theme among the 19 unsigned players from the 2016 Grey Cup champions who may find new homes sometime after noon on Tuesday.

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“It’s not up to me,” said Kanneh. “I want to come back. But I expect to be treated like I’m one of the top players in the league. I am the best DB in this league. Numbers don’t lie.

“I worked hard for the past 2 1/2 years. Becoming the best, it was one of my goals when I came into the league. My goal now is to stay on top and keep winning more (Grey Cup) rings. I don’t even feel like I’m in my prime yet, I’m just getting warmed up. There are a lot of great years to come.”

The 26-year-old Kanneh rose to prominence in 2015 with 57 tackles, two sacks, six interceptions and four forced fumbles. In 2016, he was again a key performer within the Redblacks defence – with 52 tackles, a sack, three interceptions and a forced fumble.