Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders continue to reap the rewards of a healthy season by slotback Andy Fantuz.
Fantuz was named the West Division's finalist for the CFL's most outstanding Canadian on Thursday. The nomination took place one day after Fantuz was one of six Riders selected to the West Division all-star team. Both honours came after Fantuz completed the 2010 regular season as the league's leading receiver, with 1,380 yards. Fantuz dressed for all 18 games while recording 87 receptions and scoring six touchdowns.
Fantuz said Thursday that his performance was a result of being healthy for a complete season. Fantuz had missed significant parts of the previous two seasons with injuries.
"For the most part of my life, I've been pretty healthy,'' Fantuz said after Thursday's practice at Mosaic Stadium, where the Riders continued to prepare for Sunday's West Division semifinal against the visiting B.C. Lions. "I've just had a couple of bad breaks in the last couple of years. It's maintaining the things I'm doing and being regular on my routines that have helped me get to where I'm at.''
Fantuz, 26, missed 11 regular-season games in 2008 after suffering a broken leg. In 2009, he was sidelined for five games by a tender hamstring. This season, he dressed for every game while earning a number of individual honours. He was named the Canadian player of the month on three occasions and the Canadian player of the week four times. He was also named the offensive player of the week.
Fantuz is in his fifth season with the Riders. He posted career highs in receptions and receiving yards. Riders head coach Ken Miller said making it through a full season without an injury is a sign that a player is maturing as a professional.
"When players are in the league for a little bit, they learn how to put themselves at less of a risk,'' Miller said. "They also train and prepare themselves differently.''
It also helps to be part of an offence that emphasizes a passing game. Riders quarterback Darian Durant led all quarterbacks in passing yards, with 5,542. Fantuz gained by being one of Durant's favourite targets.
"This is something that we've actually been talking about for years,'' Durant said. "I'm glad to be part of it and there isn't anything left to do than to make sure that we have more yards than that next year.''
"This is something that we've actually been talking about for years,'' Durant said. "I'm glad to be part of it and there isn't anything left to do than to make sure that we have more yards than that next year.''
Fantuz is the first Rider to be named the top Canadian in the West
Division since slotback Ray Elgaard in 1992. Elgaard was the West
Division's nominee in 1988, 1990 and 1992 and won the CFL award in each of those years.
Fantuz is also the first Canadian to lead the CFL in receiving yards since fellow Western Ontario Mustangs product Dave Sapunjis accomplished the feat in 1995 while recording 1,655 yards with the Calgary Stampeders.
"That's something that I hope inspires kids in minor football to believe that they can do what they want and to be the best,'' Fantuz said when asked about being the leading receiver. "I'm just happy that we're winning and we have another home playoff game. If you have that much offence, someone is going to get the yards. This year it was me.''
Hamilton Tiger-Cats slotback Dave Stala is the East Division's nominee for the most outstanding Canadian. Stala was 11th in the league with 1,015 receiving yards. He also recorded six touchdowns on 85 receptions.
The West Division nominees for the other awards are Calgary quarterback Henry Burris (most outstanding player), Calgary linebacker Juwan Simpson (defensive player), Lions returner Yonus Davis (special teams), Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian (rookie) and Calgary tackle Ben Archibald (lineman).
The East Division nominees are Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo (most outstanding player), Hamilton linebacker Markeith Knowlton (defensive player), Toronto returner Chad Owens (special teams), Hamilton running back Marcus Thigpen (rookie) and Tiger-Cats centre Marwan Hage (offensive lineman).
Joining Fantuz on the West Division dream team are tailback Wes Cates, guard Gene Makowsky, centre Jeremy O'Day, middle linebacker Barrin Simpson and safety James Patrick.
The CFL all-stars are to be announced Wednesday. The individual awards are to be announced on Nov. 25 as part of the Grey Cup Festival in Edmonton. The Grey Cup game is Nov. 28.Read more:
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