Larsonite
Guacamole Taco
- Joined:
- Sep 12, 2010
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Every year our Chicago Bears look for a diamond in the rough. When the signing comes in, many jump to conclusion about their potential success or failure.
This year Andy Fantuz is that mysterious guy. Who is he? Many have seen the reviews done by [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II75J9wyq8E"]YourBoyRoy[/ame] and some [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsUgTZpec7g&feature=fvwrel"]Youtube Highlights[/ame], but I thought I'd take a closer look at Andy and download some of his games to get a better perspective.
Here's what I saw...
Strengths:
- Looks to block when play is near.
- Catches the ball and turns up field.
- Fights for extra yards.
- Good Hands.
- Extends his arms to Catch the Ball.
- Doesn't look Stiff.
- Good Frame & Size
- Decent Hips.
- Good & Willing Blocker
- Very good Catch radius.
- High points the ball.
- Works back to the QB when plays breakdown.
- Comes back to the ball well.
- Finds soft spots in the Defense.
- Shields the defender well.
Weaknesses:
- Doesn't look special.
- Not the Focus of the Offense.
- Always in motion, never getting jammed.
- Doesn't explode out of his breaks.
- Has a weak leg stick.
- Rounds off his routes.
What I can see is a blue collar WR who works hard at his craft but is a little soft in his routes. He's got a lot of intangibles to like and a great attitude. But I don't think he's special. Even his teammate Weston Dressler has had just as good of a career as Andy. Rob Bagg actually looks like a pretty decent WR too. Doesn't have the stats but is quick, hard to tackle and very physical. Also, Andy isn't even the focus of their Offense. He's just one of 2-3 WRs they target.
2007
FLICK, D: 70 rec. - 1,020 yards - 10 TD
FANTUZ, A: 56 rec. - 978 yards - 7 TD
2008
DRESSLER, W: 56 rec. - 1,123 yards - 6 TD
FANTUZ, A: 36 rec. - 488 yards - 3 TD
2009
DRESSLER, W: 62 rec. - 941 yards - 4 TD
FANTUZ, A: 67 rec. - 882 yards - 4 TD
2010
FANTUZ, A: 87 rec. - 1,380 yards - 6 TD
DRESSLER, W: 81 rec. - 1,189 yards - 6 TD
Most of Fantuz's routes are short outs, ins, crossing and stick routes. He rarely ever runs Posts, Corner or Go Routes. He doesn't have enough explosion from his leg stick going into his break. He's a little "soft" out of his breaks and rounds off his routes. He does find soft spots in the defense and comes back to the ball well on stick routes. He's pretty much the Roughrider's safety net when they need a 1st down.
He seems to get open but I never really get a good enough view of his feet, how he breaks down, runs off defenders, etc. Since Fantuz is running at full speed at the snap and the CFL defense play off the ball so much, the point of interest is off camera. That's something that I think I'll be able to see more of in preseason.
In regards to Special Teams, I actually like his chances as a blocker. He's very willing on run plays and when other WRs catch the ball. He looks to make contact which is really nice. I'm not sure he's going to be much of a threat to tackle anyone. He's not as compact as Rashied Davis to be able to take that kind of punishment. He's a big guy who can take a blow but not so much the other way around.
Andy Fantuz should make the team as the 5th or 6th WR. He's still got to learn Martz's playbook, adjust to all the differences between CFL and NFL rules, adjust to the speed of the NFL and show he can play on Special Teams. Those are a lot to ask for in the first place but it is far too much to expect he'll over come all of that and move up the depth chart by Game 1.
Andy Fantuz is a good story about a good guy. I hope he makes the team, plays well on special teams and adjusts to the NFL.
This year Andy Fantuz is that mysterious guy. Who is he? Many have seen the reviews done by [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II75J9wyq8E"]YourBoyRoy[/ame] and some [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsUgTZpec7g&feature=fvwrel"]Youtube Highlights[/ame], but I thought I'd take a closer look at Andy and download some of his games to get a better perspective.
Here's what I saw...
Strengths:
- Looks to block when play is near.
- Catches the ball and turns up field.
- Fights for extra yards.
- Good Hands.
- Extends his arms to Catch the Ball.
- Doesn't look Stiff.
- Good Frame & Size
- Decent Hips.
- Good & Willing Blocker
- Very good Catch radius.
- High points the ball.
- Works back to the QB when plays breakdown.
- Comes back to the ball well.
- Finds soft spots in the Defense.
- Shields the defender well.
Weaknesses:
- Doesn't look special.
- Not the Focus of the Offense.
- Always in motion, never getting jammed.
- Doesn't explode out of his breaks.
- Has a weak leg stick.
- Rounds off his routes.
What I can see is a blue collar WR who works hard at his craft but is a little soft in his routes. He's got a lot of intangibles to like and a great attitude. But I don't think he's special. Even his teammate Weston Dressler has had just as good of a career as Andy. Rob Bagg actually looks like a pretty decent WR too. Doesn't have the stats but is quick, hard to tackle and very physical. Also, Andy isn't even the focus of their Offense. He's just one of 2-3 WRs they target.
2007
FLICK, D: 70 rec. - 1,020 yards - 10 TD
FANTUZ, A: 56 rec. - 978 yards - 7 TD
2008
DRESSLER, W: 56 rec. - 1,123 yards - 6 TD
FANTUZ, A: 36 rec. - 488 yards - 3 TD
2009
DRESSLER, W: 62 rec. - 941 yards - 4 TD
FANTUZ, A: 67 rec. - 882 yards - 4 TD
2010
FANTUZ, A: 87 rec. - 1,380 yards - 6 TD
DRESSLER, W: 81 rec. - 1,189 yards - 6 TD
Most of Fantuz's routes are short outs, ins, crossing and stick routes. He rarely ever runs Posts, Corner or Go Routes. He doesn't have enough explosion from his leg stick going into his break. He's a little "soft" out of his breaks and rounds off his routes. He does find soft spots in the defense and comes back to the ball well on stick routes. He's pretty much the Roughrider's safety net when they need a 1st down.
He seems to get open but I never really get a good enough view of his feet, how he breaks down, runs off defenders, etc. Since Fantuz is running at full speed at the snap and the CFL defense play off the ball so much, the point of interest is off camera. That's something that I think I'll be able to see more of in preseason.
In regards to Special Teams, I actually like his chances as a blocker. He's very willing on run plays and when other WRs catch the ball. He looks to make contact which is really nice. I'm not sure he's going to be much of a threat to tackle anyone. He's not as compact as Rashied Davis to be able to take that kind of punishment. He's a big guy who can take a blow but not so much the other way around.
Andy Fantuz should make the team as the 5th or 6th WR. He's still got to learn Martz's playbook, adjust to all the differences between CFL and NFL rules, adjust to the speed of the NFL and show he can play on Special Teams. Those are a lot to ask for in the first place but it is far too much to expect he'll over come all of that and move up the depth chart by Game 1.
Andy Fantuz is a good story about a good guy. I hope he makes the team, plays well on special teams and adjusts to the NFL.
