In a quiet opening day of CFL Free Agency, it’s the Ottawa Redblacks who have stolen the headlines. Here’s a quick recap of the signings so far.

CFL Free Agency: Redblacks Sign Pair of Receivers, Tiger-Cats Get Kanneh

Pair of Receivers Heading to Ottawa

The Ottawa Redblacks are notorious for signing big-name receivers in CFL Free Agency. Just like two years ago when they signed Brad Sinopoli, Greg Ellingson, Ernest Jackson and Chris Williams, the Redblacks made a splash.

This time, they signed a pair of former Toronto Argonauts receivers in Kenny Shaw and Diontae Spencer.

Source tells me Kenny Shaw has agreed to terms with the Ottawa Redblacks @CFL — Joey Alfieri (@joeyalfieri) February 14, 2017

#CFL sources say WR Diontae Spencer is close to signing with the #RedBlacks #CFLFA — Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) February 14, 2017

Shaw caught 77 receptions for 1,004 yards and five touchdowns in his first full season in the league last year. Spencer produced nearly as much in his sophomore season, with 706 yards on 71 receptions and three TDs. Spencer only played in 12 games, compared to Shaw’s 17.

The duo joins Trevor Harris in Ottawa, with whom they played in Toronto two seasons ago. They will look to reconnect their chemistry

It’s not all roses for the Redblacks. Jackson, who caught Ottawa’s Grey Cup-winning touchdown, reportedly is set to sign with the coach-less and general manager-less Argonauts.

Jackson brings some stability to an unstable ship with the Boatmen. He put up monster numbers last year with 1,225 yards for 10 TDs on 88 catches. These were his best numbers for the five-year veteran, and had more touchdowns in 2016 than he did in his previous four seasons.

Defensive Moves

The Redblacks also lost defensive back Abdul Kanneh to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Kanneh, who is from England, has been with the Redblacks since they joined the league in 2014, and played in both of their Grey Cup games.

#Ticats sign DB Abdul Kanneh. 26 year old former #Redblacks star is a big upgrade for Hamilton’s secondary. #CFLFreeAgency — Rick Zamperin (@rickzamperin) February 14, 2017

In 43 games with the Redblacks, he recorded 138 tackles with three sacks and 12 interceptions.

The Tiger-Cats strengthen their secondary by keeping defensive back Emanuel Davis for another two years. Davis, a four-year veteran with the Ticats, had 55 tackles and five interceptions last season.

DB Emanuel Davis is staying in Hamilton, according to #CFL sources. Davis gets a 2-year deal to stay with #Ticats #CFLFA — Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) February 14, 2017

The Redblacks signed A.J. Jefferson from the Toronto Argonauts to replace Kanneh. Jefferson is a slight downgrade – he had 39 tackles and three INTs in 12 games – but still a formidable replacement.

Ottawa also put ink to paper with linebacker Khalil Bass from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The defending Grey Cup champions acquired a force in the middle of the field with the signing. He had 99 tackles two years ago and 82 last season, along with 5 and 4 sacks, respectively.

Other Signings

Here are some more signings of the day.

Montreal Alouettes re-signed K Boris Bede, LB Nicolas Boulay and WR Kyles Graves. They also signed veteran DB Ryan Phillips from the B.C. Lions.

The Toronto Argonauts signed QB Jeff Matthews from the Tiger-Cats, and DL Jeffrey Finley from Montreal.

The Calgary Stampeders extended DL Micah Johnson and WR Marquay McDaniel.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed OL Derek Dennis from the Stamps and RB Kienan LaFrance from the Redblacks. They also extended OL Nolan MacMillan.

RB Kendial Lawrence is going back to the Edmonton Eskimos after signing with them. They also signed DB Andrew Lue from the Riders.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed DL Drake Nevis and WR Matt Coates from Hamilton.

The B.C. Lions re-signed WR Marco Iannuzzi, DB Ronnie Yell and DL Mic’hael Brooks, and signed LB Tony Burnett from the Blue Bombers.

Main Photo.