Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
The Tiger-Cats combination of Andy Fantuz and Henry Burris had a year to remember in 2012. In both players’ debut seasons in the black and gold, the two hooked up for 971 yards and eight touchdowns, contributing the Ticats league-leading offence.
This season, they’re looking to pick up right where they left off.
“We’re hoping to continue that success,” said Burris. “That’s what we’re out here working our butts off every day for. We’re hungry and ready to get out there and play some football.”
Both players set new career scoring marks in 2012: Burris with 43 touchdown passes and Fantuz with eight touchdown catches. The future Hall of Fame quarterback attributes the success the two shared to a tight-knit relationship, both on and off the field.
“We spend a lot of time together during the season, talking over situations and making sure we’re on the same page when it comes to reads and routes,” he said. “And Andy’s a great guy. We’ve become very good friends and keep in touch even over the offseason. It’s important to build trust not only on the field, but outside of football as well.”
As veterans whose positions with the Ticats are secure, both Fantuz and Burris sat out the game last week so that the coaching staff could evaluate some of the younger players in camp. Both players expressed their hunger to get back on the field on Thursday and play some football.
“It’s always hard as a player to sit out and watch your team play without you, but that’s part of the evaluation process,” said Fantuz. “There’s going to be some really difficult decisions for the coaching staff and as a player you have to understand that.”
Fantuz and Burris have been slowly working to rekindle their on-field chemistry in training camp, but that too is difficult. With five quarterbacks on the roster and countless receivers, consistent reps are difficult to get. That’s why Burris will be under centre when the Ticats begin their first game in Guelph.
“This game will be very important for us to regain that consistency, especially with us running a new offence,” said Burris. But fear not Ticats fans, the 38-year-old gunslinger has no doubts that the offence will quickly find their stride.
“When it comes to a guy like Fantuz, who I’ve played with before, there is a comfort level that comes from knowing how he plays. I know his body language, so when he’s about to make his break, I know, because I’ve seen him do it before.”
Fantuz will once again be looked at as a prime target in the Ticats passing attack. With Burris at the helm and the wealth of talented receivers on the roster, the Tiger-Cats offence is primed for another productive season in 2013.
First day of practice. Its time to get mentally and physically prepared for Friday #TiCats #CFL
— Greg Wojt (@Gwojt66) June 23, 2013
