Riders receiver Andy Fantuz is in his option year of the contract he signed after the 2006 season. He’s eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 15.
Photograph by: Shaughn Butts, Edmonton Journal files
Photograph by: Shaughn Butts, Edmonton Journal files
REGINA — There are two sides to the 2009 season for Andy Fantuz.
There is the football side, which remains his focus — as the Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback reiterated Thursday. There is also a business aspect to the CFL, which remains prominent because Fantuz is in the option year of a contract that he signed with the Riders after the 2006 season.
There isn’t any avoiding that side, especially when it became known that the Riders had presented his Atlanta-based agents, Hadley Engelhard and Jim Ulrich, with a contract offer in late August.
“I’m letting the behind-the-scenes things do what needs to be done,’’ Fantuz said after the Riders completed their final on-field preparations for Saturday’s game (7 p.m.) at Mosaic Stadium against the Toronto Argonauts. “I like playing here and hopefully we can work something out. Right now, I want to win a Grey Cup and move forward from there.’’
If Fantuz doesn’t re-sign with the Riders, he’s eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 15. The uncertainty regarding the future of Fantuz has led to speculation that he wants to play out his option and possibly sign with a CFL team in southern Ontario. That decision would bring Fantuz closer to his hometown of Chatham, Ont. There has also been talk of Fantuz trying out for NFL teams.
While those options are available, it doesn’t sound like Fantuz is losing sleep pondering where he’ll play in 2010.
“There is a long off-season to work all of that stuff out,’’ said Fantuz. “We only have a month and a half to play this season, so I don’t think it will be too hard to focus. We’ll worry about all of that stuff after the season. I don’t have anything to tell anyone yet.’’
Fantuz has been making a statement on the field. He’s third on the Riders in receiving with 35 receptions for 484 yards and three touchdowns despite missing five games with a torn left hamstring.
Since returning Sept. 13 against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Fantuz has 20 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns through four games. Fantuz had 219 yards and a touchdown on 15 receptions in the opening four games before being sidelined with the injury. He feels that he’s regaining the chemistry that he had developed with Riders quarterback Darian Durant before the injury.
Since returning Sept. 13 against the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Fantuz has 20 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns through four games. Fantuz had 219 yards and a touchdown on 15 receptions in the opening four games before being sidelined with the injury. He feels that he’s regaining the chemistry that he had developed with Riders quarterback Darian Durant before the injury.
“We were getting close to where we needed to be at the start of the season,’’ said Fantuz. “Then I had a pulled hamstring, which took me a few steps back. Hopefully we can continue to move forward and get better each day.’’
Durant feels confident with all of the Riders’ receivers but there seems to be something special with Fantuz. It could be because the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fantuz towers over some of the smaller defenders.
Fantuz used his size in last Friday’s 19-16 loss to the B.C. Lions at BC Place. Fantuz outjumped two B.C. defenders to haul in a late touchdown pass from Durant. The quarterback then hit Gerran Walker for a two-point convert to tie the game 16-16.
Fantuz used his size in last Friday’s 19-16 loss to the B.C. Lions at BC Place. Fantuz outjumped two B.C. defenders to haul in a late touchdown pass from Durant. The quarterback then hit Gerran Walker for a two-point convert to tie the game 16-16.
“There isn’t anything out here that Andy can’t do,’’ said Durant. “Whenever I have an opportunity to go to him — along with Weston Dressler and the other guys — I will. Andy is an excellent target with huge hands and he makes a lot of plays inside. When things get tough, you can count on Andy to be where he’s needed to be.’’
Durant is aware of the contract status of Fantuz. Durant would like to see them work together beyond this season but he understands the business side of football may get in the way of that taking place.
“He knows that he will have a job but he also knows that we want him and that he’s in a good situation,’’ said Durant. “I’ve told him that all he has to do is focus on football and the money will come. He has to focus on winning the Grey Cup and being the best receiver he can be. If he does that, everything will fall in place. I want to play with him for the rest of my career here and hopefully we can make it happen.’’
“He knows that he will have a job but he also knows that we want him and that he’s in a good situation,’’ said Durant. “I’ve told him that all he has to do is focus on football and the money will come. He has to focus on winning the Grey Cup and being the best receiver he can be. If he does that, everything will fall in place. I want to play with him for the rest of my career here and hopefully we can make it happen.’’
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