DISCUSSIONS WITH FANTUZ TO HEAT UP NEXT WEEK



Andy Fantuz watches from the sidelines as the Saskatchewan Roughriders play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during CFL action in Regina, September 4, 2011.

REGINA — Discussions between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and slotback Andy Fantuz could heat up next week.

Tim Fleiszer, who represents Fantuz along with Gil Scott, said he expects to talk with members of the Riders’ football operations staff during the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Representatives from each of the CFL teams and those in the NFL are expected to be on hand for the Senior Bowl on Jan. 28.

Fantuz played out his option after the 2011 CFL season and is eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 15.

“I had good chats with the Riders before Christmas,” Fleiszer said. “I’m sure we’ll continue to have discussions, but free agency is still a long ways off.”

Brendan Taman, the Riders general manager, told reporters last week that he expected Fantuz to test free agency. Taman also feels the Riders still have a chance of retaining Fantuz.
“I think we have a chance of getting him back, but I don’t think it’s going to happen before the 15th,” Taman said. “When that happens, all bets are off, quite honestly. We’ll see where it goes.”
Fantuz was the Riders’ first pick (third overall) in the 2006 CFL draft. He was the most outstanding Canadian in the 2007 Grey Cup game and was the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian in 2010 while recording a league-leading 1,380 receiving yards.

He signed with the NFL’s Chicago Bears during the 2010 off-season and was released after the pre-season. Fantuz battled ankle injuries after returning to the Riders and dressed for only four games. Fantuz, 28, has had one NFL tryout, with the Jacksonville Jaguars this off-season.
Fleiszer said there has been some interest in Fantuz expressed by other NFL teams.

“Typically Gil and I will meet with all 32 (NFL) teams,” Fleiszer said. “We’ll have a better idea of what the picture looks like after that.”

The Riders had 14 players from the 2011 squad eligible to file for free agency. Taman has been pared that list to 11. Linebacker Jerrell Freeman, defensive tackle Keith Shologan and Fantuz were considered by Taman as the Riders’ top-tier free agents.

Shologan re-signed with the Riders on Nov. 18. Freeman agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. He’s to be Indianapolis on Tuesday to officially sign the contract.
Regina Leader-Post

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