Thursday 16 February 2012

No Fantuz, But Cats Do Make a Move

While the world (or namely fans of the CFL, especially those in Hamilton and Regina) waits patiently for Andy Fantuz to decide where he will suit up next season, free agency entered its second day with a little more action that day one.

For Ti-Cat fans, Fullback Darcy Brown has re-upped for two more seasons in Black & Gold. Brown is a good young player who hasn't been used to his full potential. With the new coaching staff apparently liking what Brown brings to the table, we could see him employed much more frequently in 2012 and beyond.

Also of interest to Ti-Cat fans is the signing of former Quarterback Adam Tafralis by the rival Toronto Argonauts. Tafralis was let go prior to last season when it was clear he was not going to be anything more than the team's No. 3 Quarterback. In Toronto, it looks like he will be the primary backup to new starter Ricky Ray.

In the biggest non-Hamilton-related news of the day, the Roughriders officially brought in ex-Bomber Brendon LaBatte (thought by many to be the top available Offensive Lineman) and former Argonaut Dominic Picard. Both players were All-Stars in 2011 and help upgrade the Saskatchewan's O-line. The Montreal Alouettes got in on the fun by signing former Eskimo Linebacker Rod Davis. Davis becomes the newest member of a rather stacked Montreal Linebacking group, joining forces with incumbents Chip Cox, Diamond Ferri, Ramon Guzman and Shea Emry.

Which brings us back around to Mr. Fantuz. With the Riders reportedly committing somewhere in the neighbourhood of $300,000-350,000 to both Picard and LaBatte, do they still have the money left to re-sign Fantuz? If not, or if they can't offer him as much, does that make Hamilton the front runners.

Dave Naylor of TSN (whose sources are pretty top notch) seems to think that Fantuz is leaning towards to the Ti-Cats; however, Perry Lefko of Sportsnet (whose sources are not as good as Naylor's) is being led to believe that Saskatchewan is the front runner. With word being that Fantuz will be back from Africa on Saturday, and potentially making his final decision on Monday, it looks like the saga will continue, and Fantuz Watch 2012 will last a couple more days.

1 comment:

  1. Looks like Tafralis will have some competition with Jarius Jackson now.

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