BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca
The Chicago Bears have released receiver Andy Fantuz, who could return to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, which still owns his rights, potentially in time for the team's game Sunday at home against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
But the situation is complicated by various obstacles, not the least of which is whether Fantuz wants to continue to explore his National Football League dream.
He is now on waivers and clears that at 4 p.m. on Sunday, exactly eight minutes before the Riders-Bombers game is scheduled to commence.
Fantuz can elect to hope another NFL team picks him up, although that is extremely unlikely given the limited interest in him in the off-season, even though he led the CFL in receiving yards last year and was voted the league's top Canadian. He was given a paltry $5,000 signing bonus by the Bears, who really didn't give him a chance to showcase his skills.
On his website on Friday, Fantuz said the release wasn't a huge surprise.
"You know it's been a frustrating preseason," he said. "Haven't really got too much playing time in the games and limited reps in practice. It seemed like they're pretty committed with the guys they had and the guys they wanted to keep and that didn't include me. So whether it was bad timing or just a bad situation, whatever it is, it's nothing I can control so it's just unfortunate."
He is still under contract to the Riders and was able to sign with an NFL team because of the CFL/NFL agreement that allows a CFL player in his option year to sign with an NFL team. That window of opportunity ends after next season.
Fantuz said on his website he was on waivers for 24 hours, but technically it's double that, after which he has 10 days before he has to report back to his contracted CFL team.
The Riders could include them on their 46-man roster 48 hours ahead of the game, which technically means he's already on it although it hasn't been declared publicly, and have an hour before game time to decide their 42-man roster. So, if he's there in Regina, he's eligible, pending clearing the NFL waiver period. If for whatever reason, they've declared the 42-man roster with him on it and he's not available to play, then the Riders play one-man short.
"We'll see how the next couple of days play out," Riders' general manager Brendan Taman told Sportsnet.ca.
If Fantuz wants to come back right away, he couldn't participate in the pre-game warmup while still clearing NFL waivers.
"I have a 10-day window (after getting cut) before I have to report back to the CFL to Saskatchewan," he said on his website. "So that's my understanding of it anyways and I'll go from there. I'm excited to see if any other team wants to take a chance and bring me in and see what I got. But either way I'm ready to get rolling and get playing so thanks for all the support everybody. I've been getting lots of comments, support and tweets and all that and I really appreciate it. Keep following and we'll hope for the best so thanks again."
