REGINA — It was going to be a cold day in October before Andy Fantuz reached a new deal with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Speculation was rampant that Fantuz, a fourth-year Canadian Football League slotback, would depart via free agency in February and sign with a team closer to his roots in southern Ontario.
“Whoever made up that rumour kind of just made it up and it got blown out of proportion through the media or however it did,’’ Fantuz said following Thursday’s indoor practice at the Credit Union Eventplex, where it was announced that he had agreed to a contract extension.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said that once. I’ve always said I like playing here and if I stay in this league, this is where I want to play. I’m not really sure where that came from, but rumours like that always seem to start.’’
Some of the speculation was well-founded. David Naylor of the Globe & Mail wrote Sept. 2 that Fantuz had “one eye on the NFL,’’ and that reportage was absolutely correct.
Some of the speculation was well-founded. David Naylor of the Globe & Mail wrote Sept. 2 that Fantuz had “one eye on the NFL,’’ and that reportage was absolutely correct.
Fantuz’s new deal, calling for one year plus an option, will not be registered with the league until February. Therefore, he is completing a contract that was signed following the 2006 season. He remains eligible to exercise the option-year escape clause and sign with an NFL team for 2010, assuming that there are overtures from south of the border.
“That’s my goal — it always has been — to play in the NFL,’’ Fantuz said. “I’m going to explore that option after the season, and then I guess after the next couple of seasons. We’ll take it one step at a time.’’
Thursday’s announcement was a critical step for the Roughriders, who could not afford to allow a top-calibre Canadian player to escape — unless, of course, there is the irresistible allure of an NFL opportunity.
Fantuz possesses the requisite size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and hands (which should be sponsored by Krazy Glue) for an NFL receiver. Time is also in his favour, being that he does not turn 26 until Dec. 18.
Thursday’s announcement was a critical step for the Roughriders, who could not afford to allow a top-calibre Canadian player to escape — unless, of course, there is the irresistible allure of an NFL opportunity.
Fantuz possesses the requisite size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and hands (which should be sponsored by Krazy Glue) for an NFL receiver. Time is also in his favour, being that he does not turn 26 until Dec. 18.
Keep in mind, though, that Fantuz has not yet conquered the CFL — largely due to injuries that have significantly curtailed his playing time in each of the past two seasons. In 2007, he posted career-high totals of 56 catches, 978 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He punctuated that season by helping the
Roughriders win the 2007 Grey Cup, a game in which he was named the most outstanding Canadian after
making a key touchdown reception.
Fantuz is a once-in-a-generation player. In some ways, he is reminiscent of the legendary Ray Elgaard, who routinely squelched overmatched defensive backs en route to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Fantuz is one inch taller and five pounds lighter than Elgaard. Although Fantuz’s body count will not rival that of the incomparable Elgaard, the Roughriders’ No. 83 is an impressive runner after the catch (as he demonstrated while approaching the end zone in the 2007 Grey Cup).
The Roughriders’ brass duly appreciated Fantuz’s attributes while also taking note of his citizenship. The organization attaches a premium to Canadian talent, which explains why Fantuz and kicker Luca Congi have agreed to terms in recent weeks.
Roughriders fans had feared that Fantuz’s good name would be added to a list of notable free-agent departees that includes import linebackers Maurice Lloyd, Anton McKenzie and Reggie Hunt. In the cases of those three players, the Roughriders were accused of being penurious for allowing them to sign elsewhere.
Rest assured that Fantuz’s new deal, providing that it is not over-ridden by an NFL contract, will not be inexpensive. Had Fantuz been amenable to testing free agency, he would have been handsomely compensated. But he has opted to make Saskatchewan his CFL home, and the resourceful Roughriders have done everything possible to retain him. That says something about both parties.
Rest assured that Fantuz’s new deal, providing that it is not over-ridden by an NFL contract, will not be inexpensive. Had Fantuz been amenable to testing free agency, he would have been handsomely compensated. But he has opted to make Saskatchewan his CFL home, and the resourceful Roughriders have done everything possible to retain him. That says something about both parties.
“I like the direction our team is going in, along with our offence,’’ Fantuz said. “I feel like it’s a great fit.’’
That is vastly preferable to the great fit many Roughriders fans would have thrown if Fantuz had played for any other CFL team.
That is vastly preferable to the great fit many Roughriders fans would have thrown if Fantuz had played for any other CFL team.
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