Fuller: ‘It’s just a matter of me being healthy’

TORONTO — For Toronto Argonauts off-season addition Jeff Fuller, the question has always been ‘what if?’

Fuller joined the Boatmen as a free agent in February, bringing with him a 6-foot-4, 223-pound frame and a mountain of unfulfilled potential.

What if he could stay healthy? For Fuller, the thought is all too familiar.

“I kind of put that target on my back because I’ve been out quite a bit,” he said. “Pretty much everywhere I’ve gone they’ve kind of given me that role as the No. 1. It’s just a matter of me being healthy and staying on the field. That’s what it comes down to.”

After an injury-spotted four seasons, Jeff Fuller is optimistic with his new team (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

After three seasons in Calgary and one in Regina, Fuller immediately becomes one of the Argos’ top receiving threats after signing in free agency. He comes as a low-risk, high-reward venture after the team lost most of its 2016 receiving corps, including Diontae Spencer and Kenny Shaw this off-season.

Fuller also arrives in his career prime, coming in at age 27 and one year removed from a stint in the National Football League.

While injuries have taken their toll — he missed 14 games in two seasons from 2014 through 2015, then suffered a season-ending injury in his first game as a Rider last season — the Argos were lured by all of those ‘what ifs’.

“That was the best option at the time,” said Fuller. “I was looking at a few other teams and they just put the best deal on the table. That’s how it is, basically.”

After a career in the spotlight at Texas A&M, Fuller joined the Calgary Stampeders in 2013, bursting into the scene with 254 receiving yards and 15 catches over a three-game span. While two separate injuries sidelined him throughout 2014, Fuller was consistent as a sophomore, recording 55 or more yards in six of his eight games.

A career year in 2015, in which Fuller recorded 619 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games, led him to the NFL in 2016. But when things didn’t work out south of the border he was back in the CFL by October, this time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Then, after just two catches in his first game in green and white, injury struck again.

“It was kind of tough,” said Fuller. “It’s just kind of disappointing to be out of the game for so long because when I came and played it was Week 17 or something in Regina, I hadn’t played a football game or put on pads or even been in an organization since last season in Calgary.”

In the off-season, the Riders made some big splashes at the position while Fuller wasn’t offered an extension. Without a general manager in place or a head coach, the Argos came knocking in February. The move to Toronto made sense.

Marc Trestman returned to the field during the Argos’ three-day mini-camp last week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

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“Me and Coach Jones, we had conversations after the injury and I was under the understanding that I was probably going to come back the next year,” said Fuller. “During February it was free agency time and the Argos gave me a call, put an offer on the table and I just accepted.

“It was before Popp came in but I knew eventually they were going to get somebody in place and with the winning tradition that Toronto has, I figured they would get someone with a solid resume.”

In Toronto, Fuller may have just found his full-time home. During video shoots during CFL Week in Regina back in March, he was thrilled to find out he’d be wearing the same No. 8 he adorned at Texas A&M.

He also gets to play under one of the most successful coach-general manager duos in CFL history in Jim Popp and Marc Trestman.

Finally, he’s excited to catch passes from one of the league’s most accurate and highly-celebrated quarterbacks in Ricky Ray.

“Oh yeah, heck yeah,” said Fuller. “It’s a great situation. Playing under Jim Popp and Trestman, offensive mastermind . . .

“A Hall of Fame quarterback in Ricky Ray –  I’ve seen him play a lot. I know he’s the best quarterback in this league right now. When he’s in there, for sure. I think if you spoke to the other quarterbacks, though, they’d probably vouch for that too.

“I guess he’s just got an ‘it’ factor. He’s been in the game for so long, he’s poised, he knows what he’s doing. He’s confident. A silent confidence.”

The Argos’ hopes this season hinge on a productive Ricky Ray (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

After biding his time in the NFL last season, Fuller believes he’s found a team that believes in his talent — that knows he can be the best.

“That’s another reason I like Toronto, I feel like they feel the same way. It’s nice being on the same page,” said Fuller. “It’s nice to come to the CFL where you’ve built up a resume, you’ve built a foundation. It’s cool to come back and show up to work and know you’re a priority as opposed to showing up to work knowing it might be your last day there.

“At this age I think that’s a better situation as opposed to not having any type of security.”

Next is the chance for Fuller to get on the field in his new colours — and stay on it. The veteran receiver knows he has detractors and so does his team.

When it comes to sport, proving doubters wrong is half the fun.

“Any time you have a new coach in this game, a new GM, of course you’re going to be at the bottom of the totem pole,” said Fuller. “That’s just part of the game — you have to build from the ground up.

“It’s going to be fun,” he added. “I think we’ve got a lot of the right people in places to make stuff happen.”