And don’t forget the push-off. Fantuz has raised pushing-off defenders to an art form. I’m interested to see what he can get away with this season with the tighter control on offensive pass interference.
With all due respect to the OP, it's insane IMO to even ask the question. Of course you start Fantuz. You don't necessarily have to make him one of your 'base 7' nationals if the national talent doesn't exist to back him up, but you do have to start him. Fantuz, in my humble opinion, is one of the best receivers in the league at recognizing blitz and running "hot" to bail his QB out; you take him away and you are taking away an important safety valve for Collaros and the offense. I've rarely seen a national receiver who's so consistently good at adjusting his route to fill the space vacated by the blitzing defender. No, he's not a speed demon, and he may have lost a half-step in the past year, but he is still a valuable offensive weapon, particularly for a QB like Collaros who is still finding his own game.
Note that the OP has already stated that the question is ill-phrased, that what he actually meant was whether we need to designate Fantuz as a starting national player.
My bad, didn’t see that.
You have to start a guy that just broke a World Record
[url=http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2015/05/06/ticats-andy-fantuz-breaks-world-record-for-most-one-handed-catches-in-one-minute.html]http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/ ... inute.html[/url]This play drove me nuts. wish i could remember what game it was from specifically. Hamilton was in position to score to take the lead late, and likely win.
On a passing play into the endzone Argo’s DB carter, holds down fantuz’s left arm, swats at his right arm before the ball arrives, and never even looks back to the ball. all things that individually could make an argument for PI, and combined most definitely IS PI.
But, Carter wasn’t called on the play, and if memory serves, Hamilton lost narrowly to the double blue in that game.
Anyone that tells me TSN/CFL HQ isn’t Toronto-centric, is flat out in denial / completely oblivious / lacking in critical thinking skills /. They are the Roughriders of the east i tells ya.
This play drove me nuts. wish I could remember what game it was from specifically : In answer to your question it was the season opener to the 2013 season. I was in attendance that night in Toronto and was seated almost directly above where that play was made. The Cats lost that game 39-34 despite holding a 31-25 lead at the half. Fantuz was a beast in that game hauling in 10 catches for 155 yds and a td. He unfortunately though couldn’t hang on to this pass and agreed if that play was last year, there’s no doubt that the call would’ve been reversed and the Cats would’ve emerged victorious that night.
Except I don’t believe the rule works that way (I stand to be corrected). Teams must start a minimum of 7 nationals but they aren’t individually designated and can be freely sub’d with other nationals. The whole point of starting 8 nationals is that it opens up ANY national starting spot to an import sub in case of injury.
Here is the actual wording of the rule from the CBA:
The designated internationals shall only be allowed to participate on the special teams; provided however, a designated international may be directly substituted to replace another international Player [b]provided the said international Player being replaced is on the same side (offensive or defensive) that the designated international will be playing on[/b]. The designated international may replace any other international Player during the game on either side of the ball on the understanding that the Player that he replaces may not re-enter that game.Basically, the team needs to state which international players will be "starting" (although they don't actually have to start) and on which side of the ball they will be starting. Those starting players can enter the game at any time on either side of the ball; only the four designated internationals are subject to these restrictions.