The Hamilton Tiger Cats caught a marlin, I mean a Fantuz. Yesterday, the team announced the signing of the biggest free agent on the CFL market in 2012, wide receiver Andy Fantuz.
Fantuz spent 2006-2010 with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders winning the Grey Cup in 2007. In 2010 he lead the league with 1380 receiving yards. He was a late cut in 2011 of the Chicago Bears in a failed attempt to make the NFL. Hampered by an injury in 2011 once returning to Saskatchewan, Fantuz played in 4 games and had 175 receiving yards.
The Hamilton Tiger Cats offered Fantuz a 4 year contract at $150,000 per season. Saskatchewan’s offer was similar, but many believe Fantuz chose Hamilton to be closer to his hometown of Chatham Ontario. Both towns are 2 hours apart. Chatham and Regina are roughly 2500km apart.
Once again this is an excellent move by the Hamilton Tiger Cats. They have upgraded their receiving core, one that includes prolific sophomores Aaron Kelly and Bikhari Grant, and veteran Dave Stala. Hopefully Hamilton has enough cap space and playing time to keep all of these receivers happy. If they do, they know have one of, if not the best receiving core in the CFL.
All the Cats have to do now is upgrade the defensive backs and linemen. I feel maybe Obie will be able to find players to fill these holes coming out of US colleges. If they can successfully do that, the 2012 Hamilton Tiger Cats maybe a CFL powerhouse.
What do you think?
And that’s the Last Word!
