LaBatte happy to return home

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/02/2012 (5218 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRENDON LABATTE returned home Thursday while Andy Fantuz continues to decide whether to follow suit.

LaBatte signed with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday, just over a day after becoming a free agent. The native of Weyburn, Sask., opted to return to his home province after weighing offers from the Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who drafted the 6-foot-4, 304-pound offensive guard four years ago.

“At the end of the day you add up all the pros and cons from all the potential scenarios, I felt that everything that mattered most is at home and that’s why I chose to return,” said LaBatte, who played collegiately at the University of Regina. “To be able to play in front of my friends and family and know how much this team means to this province… I mean I’ve lived it my whole life, I’m extremely happy to be able to go out and represent this club.”

The Roughriders also signed Dominic Picard on Thursday, a free agent centre who spent the last three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts.

While family and home both factored in LaBatte’s decision, obviously money did too as the Riders paid handsomely to land the 25-year-old. But GM Brendan Taman vehemently denied published reports LaBatte’s deal was worth about $200,000 annually.

“No, I didn’t pay Brendon LaBatte that money,” Taman said. “We matched Winnipeg’s offer and we ended up getting him because he wanted to play at home.

“The $200,000 figure is ludicrous.”

Winnipeg had offered LaBatte a multi-year deal reportedly worth about $170,000 a year.

Taman has been active in free agency, also signing former Montreal defensive back Paul Waldu. But he’s not done as Taman continues to pursue Riders slotback Fantuz, a native of Chatham, Ont., generally regarded as the top free agent available.

“I know we have a chance,” Taman said of getting Fantuz to return to Regina. “What kind of chance I don’t know?

That’s because also pursuing Fantuz, the CFL’s top Canadian in 2010, are the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. And with the Riders having already invested in LaBatte, Picard and Paul Waldu, the Ticats could have more room under the $4.35-million salary cap to offer the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fantuz — currently vacationing in Africa.

And that’s important considering Fantuz is expected to fetch between $175,000 and $200,000 in free agency. Another advantage the Ticats have is they would allow Fantuz to play closer to family and friends in southern Ontario.

Shoring up the offensive line in free agency was a priority for Saskatchewan after it released tackle Alex Gauthier and centre Marc Parenteau earlier this off-season.

However, the big question now remains whether LaBatte and Picard will suit up with veteran lineman Gene Makowsky, 38, who continues to ponder his future after 17 CFL seasons.

— The Canadian Press