CFL a New Route to Making "The Show"?

Written By Guest Blogger: Jordan Toppings
NoYards.com

We seem to be seeing a pattern develop year after year. Once players reach a certain caliber in the CFL, they begin to gain recognition south of the border. Now, we’re not talking about your average Joe CFL scrubs here; We’re talking about the cream of the crop that the Canadian Football League has to offer. Whether it is players trying to resurrect their once promising careers, players trying to prove the NFL teams wrong after they go undrafted, players trying to rehab an image, or simply players trying to “live the dream”, the NFL is the highest level of football anyone could ever play, and of course anyone who plays professional football wants to be at that level.

The issue stems from the very structure of CFL players’ contracts, as the “NFL option” year of a contract allows players the opportunity to sign with an NFL club for a set period of time in the offseason. It is great that some players in the CFL actually have what it takes to crack an NFL lineup, but huge gambles are in play here. It undermines the appeal of a league if players are able to explore other opportunities, while they are a part of building a solid franchise in Canada.

Star CFL Players hold a special connection to their fans, and although fans may say they are happy that their favorite player is getting their “shot” south of the border, it hurts to see them go. Even if the player doesn’t make the team and then returns to the CFL club to play out the remainder of the option year of his contract ( the most likely scenario), it is still a huge risk losing such a high-caliber player for the first half of the season until NFL cuts in early September. The good news for fans who don’t approve of this ruling is that it seems we only have to put up with it for another 2 years, as the option year clause is set to expire in the February signing period following the 100th Grey Cup in 2012.

I’m sure all of you that think this is just a Rider fan whining about losing Andy Fantuz this year, but I assure you it is not. Let’s take a look at some successes and failures of players using CFL as a kickstart to a potential NFL career. And for the hell of it, let’s start with Andy Fantuz:

Andy Fantuz – Saskatchewan Roughriders
This past offseason, Fantuz signed a deal with the Chicago Bears, meaning he would surely miss at least the first 9 games of the 2011-2012 CFL season, and may be leaving the Riders for good. It is quite rare for a Canadian-born CFLer to make it on an NFL squad, and it doesn’t look to be much different this season. Fantuz dressed for the first pre-season game this past weekend, with no action. Fantuz remains a longshot to make the team, and should be back in SSK shortly.

Cameron Wake – BC Lions
Wake, a former 2-time CFL defensive player of the year signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2009, and hasn’t looked back since. In 2 short years, Wake has registered just shy of 20 sacks (14 last season), on his way to a Pro-Bowl starting OLB spot and serious contention for NFL defensive player of the year. Cam Wake is perhaps the best defensive player to come out of the CFL and make an immediate impact in the NFL for quite some time.

Stefan Logan – BC Lions
A former RB/KR specialist for the BC Lions, Logan was quickly signed by the Steelers as a kick returner, eventually cracking the 53-man roster. Logan was released the following year, immediately signed by the Detroit Lions, en route to a terrific season and a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl team.

Jeff Garcia – Calgary Stampeders
Jeff Garcia had a fantastic dual-league career, splitting time between the Calgary Stampeders, and a handful of NFL teams, most notably the San Francisco 49ers. Garcia started out as a 3rd string QB behind another CFL great to take his talents to the NFL…Doug Flutie.

Kenton Keith – Saskatchewan Roughriders
RB Kenton Keith’s experience between the 2 leagues has been back and fourth to say the least. Originally signing with Saskatchewan in 2001, Keith made the move to the NFL with the New York Jets in his option year in 2004 but failed to crack the roster. Having more successful years in Sasky, Keith tried once more at the NFL, signing a contract with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, in which he backed up star RB Joseph Addai, and was eventually released the next season, returning back to the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

There are a number of notable CFL stars that have tried their luck south of the border, and we have to wonder what the league would have been like if this option year clause hadn’t taken effect starting in 1997. In the last 2 years, the Roughriders alone have lost 2 star Defensive Ends in Stevie Baggs and John Chick (Defensive Player of the Year), ILB Rey Williams, and 2010 Receiving Leader and Most Outstanding Canadian Andy Fantuz.

Elsewhere in the league, we must wonder how much a departed Emmanuel Arceneaux would have helped a struggling BC Lions team if he hadn’t signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Only one BC receiver has more receiving yards in the last 2 seasons than Arceneaux, and that’s Geroy Simon. Another case is Cornerback Brandon Browner, formerly of the Calgary Stampeders, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason. Would Edmonton still be top of the West division if this 3-time CFL defensive All Star was still with the Stamps?

In all fairness, it’s great to see these guys getting their big chance at the show, but it’s also great to see that fans won’t have to be pulling their hair out for many more seasons.