Game-changers up for grabs

Two key players in this year's Canadian Football League free agency will wrestle with a decision that could impact them for the rest of their careers and lives.

Saskatchewan receiver Andy Fantuz and Winnipeg offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte are the two big-name players in the free-agent derby, which begins at noon eastern time on Wednesday.

Because each team needs at least seven Canadian starting players and these two have proven they can not only do that but are among the elite at their positions, the money offered in free agency will almost certainly be more than what they have been offered.

Then again, a few years ago Montreal offensive lineman Scott Flory accepted a free-agent offer from Saskatchewan and then had a change of thinking. Until the contract is registered with the CFL head office, nothing is official. Flory is a free agent again this year and is expected to hit the market, but the thinking is he'll evaluate the landscape and then re-sign in Montreal.

Everything in this year's free agency will be hinged on what Fantuz and LaBatte do. Both are expected to command contracts worth $200,000 apiece, with almost half of it up front in a signing bonus. These guys are what are known as "ratio changers" because they are young and have long careers ahead of them.

"Once a guy is on your team and has a home and is established, he'll stay there rather than up and move," said one CFL GM, who asked that his name not be used. "When a guy is leaving, it's not for less money."

That said, a former CFL player told me: "You can't guess a player's behaviour in the CFL."

But he added: "Why does a player go swimming in free agency? It doesn't make sense unless they want to go somewhere else."

In the case of Fantuz and LaBatte, there are two motivating factors: money and playing close to home. Fantuz is from Chatham and played at the University of Western Ontario, and by all accounts he's coming to Southern Ontario to play for either the Toronto Argonauts or Hamilton Tiger-Cats, both of which have historically made big splashes in free agency to grab headlines and sell tickets. It hasn't always worked. And when those teams have bought players on the open market, they have paid premium dollars. Hamilton is one of the teams that will have the most money to spend in free agency after releasing running back Avon Cobourne and offensive lineman Simeon Rottier.

The fact both the Argos and Ticats need a big, stud receiver -- especially with each team acquiring a marquee quarterback in the off-season and with new head coaches who are projecting a wide-open offensive style and would make Fantuz their primary receiver -- make it a virtual cinch he's gone from the Riders. He rejected a contract extension when he returned from a failed tryout in the National Football League last year and hasn't embraced the Riders' off-season offers.

Riders GM Brendan Taman said he expects Fantuz to test free agency. A source told sportsnet.ca that Taman put the word out last year nearing the CFL's trade deadline that Fantuz was available, but then pulled back on it. The theory is Taman either had cap problems or was already looking ahead at the possibility they might lose him to free agency and receive nothing.

Well, barring something dramatic, it's about to happen.

While rumblings have Edmonton as a possible destination for Fantuz because of his success with former Saskatchewan GM Eric Tillman, it doesn't make sense for the Eskimos to go after him if the price escalates above $170,000. The Eskimos have proven receivers in Fred Stamps, who might be the best in the league although an argument can be made for Montreal's Jamel Richardson, and a vastly-improved Adarius Bowman. They also have Canadian receivers in Andrew Nowacki and Tyler Scott.

Fantuz would not be the go-to guy. The Eskimos desperately need a speed receiver and Fantuz doesn't fit that profile. The Eskimos have an unproven starting quarterback in Steven Jyles, so from Fantuz's standpoint that might be a factor. Tillman is known as an active trader, so once the free-agent period is over he'll likely do a deal. If Fantuz signs in Hamilton, he joins another Canadian slotback in Dave Stala. He became a non-factor in the team's offence in the second half of the season. He might be expendable if Fantuz signs in Hamilton.

If and when Fantuz leaves -- and I don't think this will drag on too long because the key free agents usually sign fairly quickly knowing what the financial landscape is -- he will undoubtedly receive the same kind of razzing that quarterback Henry Burris did for turning his back on Saskatchewan a few years ago to sign with Calgary. And you have to wonder if Burris, now that he's in Hamilton, will feel the same kind of heat as a Ticat instead of a Stampeder?

"You don't cross the Rider Nation," said the former CFL player. "They take everything personally. Everyone in the CFL will understand why."

If the rumours that LaBatte has already told some of his teammates he's signing with Saskatchewan, it could alleviate some of Rider Nation's woes. He was born in Weyburn and played at the University of Regina. He can play guard or centre.

Winnipeg made it to the Grey Cup last year, while Saskatchewan failed to make it to the playoffs after appearing in the Cup three of the last four years. The Bombers are the better team on paper now, so LaBatte would seem to be going backward if he's hoping to make it back to the Cup.

"It depends how much he misses the farm life," said the player. "Those days in the wheat field on the combine, you can't replace that."

While that may be funny, it quite possibly is the essence of why a player moves from a stable situation where he's been for several years to another team-- plus, of course, money. It does talk.

Rumblings also have Argos centre Dominic Picard signing with Saskatchewan and former Edmonton offensive lineman Patrick Kabongo signing with Hamilton. The Ticats need help on the defensive line and are expected to make a push for Edmonton rush end Greg Peach and possibly B.C. tackle Aaron Hunt.

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on sportsnet.ca. He is also a regular contributor on other sports, including the UFC.