Big Canadian wide receiver signs with Bears

Post #1 » by **emperorjones** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 6:20 pm

[url]http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0205-bears-chicago--
20110204,0,3099548.story[/url]

Fantuz Flakes is the cereal in Canada named for wide receiver Andy Fantuz, but he's happy to leave endorsements behind for a shot to make the Bears.

The 27-year-old wide receiver signed a reserve/futures contract Friday, putting him in the mix for training camp and giving the team something it doesn't have other than tight end Greg Olsen — a big target.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fantuz caught 87 passes for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns this past season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was the first Canadian-born player to lead the league in receiving since 1995.

more at the link.

This guy is huge. Its a good signing IMO. I was hoping he'd sign with us when he came in last month to work out. I'm guessing this means we won't be making a big Sindey Rice or Vincent Jackson splash in FA. I'm OK with that as long as we spend money on either a DT OL or CB.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #2 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 9:41 pm

I would still love to add Sidney Rice to this team, but I give the Bears credit for finally admitting that a big WR is something that this team has lacked since they traded for Cutler.

WEFFPIM · Post #3 » by **WEFFPIM** » Sun Feb 6, 2011 12:08 am

BIGGIEsmalls 23 wrote:I would still love to add Sidney Rice to this team, but I give the Bears credit for finally admitting that a big WR is something that this team has lacked since they traded for Cutler.

Yeah...this isn't the guy to do that though...

Post #4 » by **emperorjones** » Sun Feb 6, 2011 1:14 pm

He's a big target but not what any of us are hoping for. That said, I'm sure JA looks at this as 'that problem solved'. Thruth is, if he can go up & get it, Cutler will get it to him. Bottom line? Nice knowing you Devin Aromashaduuuuuu. My guess is we draft another big WR and say bye to Rashied Davis and that will be it on the WR front. However I hope we at least go after Malcolm Floyd.

seminoles1999 · Post #5 » by **seminoles1999** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 12:44 am

As much as i love knox and hester we definetly need big recievers, had anyone noticed cutler always throwing the ball high. and sidney rice would be good too.

Tbone23 · Post #6 » by **Tbone23** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 5:05 pm

Is Sidney Rice unrestricted this year?

Post #7 » by **Nolan** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 7:32 pm

Well i'm a huge Roughriders fan and i've seen almost everyone of Fantuz's games and I can tell you he'll help this team. He's big, he's got amazing hands and he's a good at running routes. I don't know how he'll do against the more athletic DB's in the NFL but I know while he was in the CFL if you threw the ball anywhere close to him he'd catch it no matter what.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #8 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 7:40 pm

What type of speed does this guy have?

seminoles1999 · Post #9 » by **seminoles1999** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 8:41 pm

He is not the fastest or the quickest player but he runs decent routes, has NFL hands, and is very smart, so he is a homeless man's Brandon Marshall. Only slower and less athletic.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #10 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 11:11 pm

seminoles1999 wrote:He is not the fastest or the quickest player but he runs decent routes, has NFL hands, and is very smart, so he is a homeless man's Brandon Marshall. Only slower and less athletic.

Thanx.

blumeany · Post #11 » by **blumeany** » Tue Feb 8, 2011 10:47 pm

Lol. Omer Asik would be a 'big target' too.

heir_jordan22 · Post #12 » by **heir_jordan22** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:21 am

Hopefully we can get a big receiver that can actually play.

Mr. Perfect · Post #13 » by **Mr. Perfect** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:09 am

We should get Plaxico Burress.

heir_jordan22 · Post #14 » by **heir_jordan22** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:52 pm

I don't see that happen. We never want to get or keep anyone who gets into trouble. The Bears are all about high character people

Post #15 » by **Icness** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:24 pm

emperorjones wrote:He's a big target but not what any of us are hoping for. That said, I'm sure JA looks at this as 'that problem solved'. Thruth is, if he can go up & get it, Cutler will get it to him. Bottom line? Nice knowing you Devin Aromashaduuuuuu. My guess is we draft another big WR and say bye to Rashied Davis and that will be it on the WR front. However I hope we at least go after Malcolm Floyd.

I think this is very accurate.

Just for reference, here's the WR free agent list in no particular order:
Santonio Holmes
Braylon Edwards--one of those two will not be back in NYJ, my guess is it's Bye Bye Braylon
Jacoby Jones
Steve Smith the Giant
Sidney Rice
TO
Steve Breaston
Santana Moss
Vincent Jackson, assuming SD doesn't franchise him
Mike Sims-Walker
James Jones
T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Kelley Washington
Laurent Robinson
Randy Moss
Lance Moore
Legedu Naanne
Sam Hurd

Rashied Davis is a UFA, Aroma is a RFA that won't get any offers elsewhere

WEFFPIM · Post #16 » by **WEFFPIM** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:37 pm

heir_jordan22 wrote:I don't see that happen. We never want to get or keep anyone who gets into trouble. The Bears are all about high character people

Yeah, like Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson

heir_jordan22 · Post #17 » by **heir_jordan22** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:57 am

I may be mistaken but I thought the Bears released them..... hmmm maybe not