BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca
The prodigal son of Saskatchewan, so to speak, has returned to the Roughriders and now there is renewed hope for the team with the worst record in the West of the Canadian Football League.
"I'm excited to play, it feels good to be back in the locker room," receiver Andy Fantuz told the media in Winnipeg on Saturday in advance of the Riders' game against the Blue Bombers on Sunday. "I can't wait to get out there and play."
The game will be the back half of a Labour Day series that the Riders won 27-7, registering only their second win of the season, while handing the league-leading Bombers only their second loss in nine games.
The Bombers will have a raucous crowd for their annual Banjo Bowl, which was created out of a mock comment made years ago by Winnipeg kicker Troy Westwood, who referred to Saskatchewan fans as "banjo-picking inbreds."
The Bombers have come a long way since then, and there is renewed enthusiasm in the team. But there is also a sense of optimism for the Riders because of the return of Fantuz for the first time since his release from the Chicago Bears eight days ago. Fantuz had 10 days from the time of his release to return to the Riders, who own his rights because he signed with the Bears while still in the option year of his contract with Saskatchewan. The CFL allows option-year players to sign in the NFL. He decided earlier this week to return to the Roughriders, rather than wait for any possible NFL offers, which was a slim possibility.
"It's not about individual players on our team," he added, trying to deflect what his personal value will mean to the team. "We're not changing up the offence too much. We're just going to go out there and do what we do and spread the ball around. I'm just a piece of that puzzle."
Much has been made of Fantuz, who led the CFL in receiving yards last year and was voted the top Canadian, and what he adds to the team, in particular as the Riders try to rebound from a disappointing first half. It included the firing of rookie head coach Greg Marshall after eight games, replaced by former head coach Ken Miller, who had moved up to vice-president of football operations.
"We have Ken Miller back and we're 1-0 with him, so that's all that matters," Fantuz said. "We're all playing under Ken and he has a good way of getting us ready to play and bringing out the best in us. I'm just planning to do whatever he asks. You're always nervous for a game. But it's always an exciting nervous. I've been itching to play after following the team on the Internet and TV. I'm just excited to play, that's all."
Fantuz lost some $81,000 in salary because he earns a reported $9,000 per game in his contract to sign for a paltry $5,000 with the Bears. He did not indicate whether he plans to sign an extension with the Roughriders or go the free-agent route and possibly sign with an NFL team again.
"If I become a free agent then it's an option, of course," he said. "I don't want to close out doors at this point until I know what I won't to do for sure. It's been kind of a crazy few weeks for me. Once I settle down and decide what I want to do and to talk to so many people that I care around me, we'll make a decision. For now I just want to focus on playing football."
Following the 2012 season, CFL players cannot sign with NFL teams until after their contracts expire. The CFL is grandfathering all contracts signed before this year, to allow players who are entering their option years to sign NFL deals in the off-season.
Fantuz really didn't have a chance to showcase his skills in the NFL due to the lockout, but the speculation is he might want to examine that option again.
