REGINA – All-star slotback Andy Fantuz has returned to the struggling Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Fantuz announced via Twitter on Wednesday morning that he would attend the CFL team’s practice, effectively putting his NFL aspirations on hold. He took to the field at Mosaic Stadium wearing his old No. 83.
“It feels great,” Fantuz said after practice. “You know, I missed these guys out here and had a good practice coming off a good week, a lot of energy in the room and I’m just excited to get going again.”
The native of Chatham, Ont., was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian last year after registering a league-high 1,380 receiving yards before signing as an option-year player with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
The six-foot-four, 221-pound Fantuz was among Chicago’s final cuts but still had a 10-day period during which he could have signed with another NFL club. However, by reporting to practice Fantuz will commit to the Riders for the remainder of the season.
“It just felt like it wasn’t probably going to happen this year,” Fantuz said of his NFL bid. “When teams go through the waiver period and then they make their practice squads and stuff, usually nothing else will happen in the first week. It takes a little longer. I didn’t have that much time and was anxious to get back on the practice field and get back playing.
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“I’m happy to be playing here. I just want to fit in however I can fit in to help this team win.”
Fantuz’s return is certainly good news for the Riders (2-7), who have been plagued by turnovers, bad penalties and missed opportunities. The dismal start to the season cost head coach Greg Marshall and offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry their jobs Aug. 19.
Vice-president of football operations and former head coach Ken Miller stepped back onto the sideline, leading the team to an impressive 27-7 home win over Winnipeg on Sunday.
The Riders will face the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg on Sunday to complete the home-and-home series. Fantuz said he’s preparing to play.
“I want to get some cardio in for the week and get game ready,” he said. “But the offence, I got it back I think and I feel pretty comfortable out there. (Quarterback) Darian (Durant) threw me a couple balls (to) get back in the feel of things and I’m ready to go.”
Durant said Fantuz means a lot to the team and it felt good to throw to him again.
“Just like old times, we’re just bringing old times back,” said Durant.
“We kind of started connecting like we never missed a beat and he was always here. So it’s just good having him back, good having that big body back and just look forward to having that thing carry over to game day.”
Wide receiver Cary Koch is also expected to come off the nine-game injured list in time for Sunday’s game, boosting the Riders receiving corps even further. Durant said he hopes the team’s fortune is turning around.
“You know, right now everything seems to be falling into place for us and it feels good. It feels good to get a win, it feels good to get Koch back, get Andy back, get some pieces back that we were missing. And we’re going to need those guys for this stretch run so that’s a good thing,” said Durant.
Also Wednesday, the Riders transferred kicker Eddie Johnson to the nine-game injured list and added kicker Jamie Boreham to the roster.
Wide receiver Aaron Fairooz and defensive back Elliott Richardson were released. Defensive back Graig Newman left the Riders to return to the Saskatoon Hilltops of the Canadian Junior Football League.
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