THE CANADIAN PRESS

WINNIPEG -- CFL free agency kicked off at noon ET on Wednesday but the top available player - slotback Andy Fantuz - remains unsigned as of Thursday evening.

However he was certainly generating a lot of interest.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders were said to be in the running for Fantuz, the six-foot-four, 220-pound slotback who was the CFL's outstanding Canadian in 2010. Fantuz missed the first half of last season attending the Chicago Bears camp before suffering an ankle injury after returning to Regina.

Edmonton and Toronto were also said to be in the hunt for Fantuz, who is currently on vacation in Africa.

And with Fantuz expected to fetch between $175,000 and $200,000 on the open market, that would appear to be too rich for the Argos, who will have to pay quarterback Ricky Ray around $400,000 this season.

Also, Toronto would seem set at slotback with Canadian Andre Durie and newcomer Jason Barnes there.




Tackle Glenn January was the first free agent to come to terms, opting to return to Winnipeg. The six-foot-six, 297-pound American has spent the last three seasons with the Bombers and was an East Division all-star last season after missing all of 2010 with a torn pectoral muscle.

January became the second starting offensive lineman to remain with Winnipeg as Canadian Steve Morley re-signed Tuesday.