Posted on: Wednesday, May 1, 2002

Stutzmann signs with CFL's Lions

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

It's not the NFL, but the Canadian Football League might be the perfect fit for Craig Stutzmann.

The former University of Hawai'i slotback said he has agreed to a four-year contract with the CFL's British Columbia Lions.

"The (CFL) game is tailored to offense and throwing the ball," said the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Stutzmann. "I've been doing this (pass offense) for the past eight years, so I should feel at home."

In the CFL, the field is 11· yards wider, 10 yards longer with end zones 15 yards deeper than an NFL field, which is 53° yards wide, 100 yards long with 10-yard-deep end zones.

After no offers following the NFL draft, Stutzmann said he began calling teams and switched agents. He said UH coach June Jones, a client of Leigh Steinberg, spoke to former NFL and CFL quarterback Warren Moon, an agent with Steinberg's firm. Moon helped negotiate the deal, Stutzmann said.

Stutzmann would not disclose the terms, but said his contract has performance bonuses, including one that pays extra for playing in more than 50 percent of the team's offensive plays during each game. That means he could get a bonus every week.

Stutzmann said he has been working out since the Hula Bowl in February. He said camp opens June 1, but he will try to get to Vancouver earlier to adjust to the environment.

"I was looking at the places and I prayed it was going to be Vancouver," Stutzmann said. "It's only 10 minutes from the United States."

But it wasn't just about location.

"I'm glad to still be playing and getting paid to do what I love doing," Stutzmann said.