Andrew Harris of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is seen in this undated photo. The running back is Graham Kelly's pick to win the Outstanding Canadian award at the CFL Awards tonight in Edmonton. (Canadian Press FIle Photo)
EDMONTON
Tonight at the Winspear Theatre in Edmonton, the CFL awards will be presented to the most outstanding performers in six categories plus coach of the year. The honours are decided by 68 voters from the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches. It is my privilege to be one of the voters. The final votes had to be in by Nov. 11, so they’re based on the regular season rather than playoff performances.
Most of the time a quarterback wins the Most Outstanding Player Award. This year is no exception with Hamilton Tiger Cat pivot Jeremiah Masoli representing the East, Stampeder Bo Levi Mitchell, the West.
The 2018 season has been the best of Masoli’s career. He completed 378 passes for 5,209 yards, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions. He had an efficiency rating of 98.3. Mitchell, nominated for the third time, is after his second MOP award. He clicked on 356 throws for 5,124 yards, 35 TDs, 14 interceptions and an efficiency rating of 99.3. The key stat is the Albertan’s record was 13-5, Masoli, 8-10. Proof of the importance of wins? The best quarterback in the league statistically is Edmonton’s Mike Reilly. But his team missed the playoffs, so Bo is the West Division all-star QB. There is a sense that Mitchell underachieved this season while Masoli did the opposite. The sentimental favourite is the Ti-Cat but I think Mitchell will win. He got my vote.
Former B.C. linebacker Adam Bighill joined Winnipeg in June after a stint in the NFL. He quickly became the heart and soul of the Bomber defence and a major reason for the success of the footballers from the Forks. He had 105 tackles, four sacks and forced fumbles, two interceptions. He’s a game changer. The Eastern nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player is Hamilton’s Larry Dean. He also had 105 tackles but that’s it. I don’t think he was even Hamilton’s best defender. Bighill will be an unanimous selection.
I had to think long and hard about the Outstanding Canadian. Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris led the league in rushing with 1,390 yards. He caught 58 passes for 451 yards and tallied 11 TDs. Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli, previously a third-string quarterback in Calgary, set the record for receptions by a Canadian with 116. The two were finalists last year when Harris won. I voted for Harris who will win again.
Nominated for Outstanding Offensive Lineman are last year’s winner Bomber left tackle Stanley Bryant and Tiger-Cat guard Brandon Revenberg. The Blue Bomber’s position is regarded as more difficult and crucial to master than that of a guard. The left tackle has to keep the enemy’s No. 1 pass rusher at bay. Bryant had no trouble against Charleston Hughes in the West semifinal. A guard’s major responsibility is the running game. Hamilton ranked third in rushing and was tops in net offence. Both O-lines allowed 36 sacks. Only the coaches should vote in this category because very few media types have a clue about offensive linemen. I ask their defensive opponents who picked Bryant.
Kickers are up for the special teams award, B.C.’s Ty Long and Redblack Lewis Ward. Long led the league in punting, Ward in field goals with 98.1 per cent and a new CFL record of 47 straight. The Easterner will win.
Ward is also in the running for the rookie award, up against Saskatchewan receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert who pulled in 62 passes for 764 yards. A third of his receptions resulted in second down conversions. I expect Ward to win.
The finalists for coach of the year are Saskatchewan’s Chris Jones and Ottawa Redblack boss Rick Campbell. Calgary’s Dave Dickenson won the most games with an injury ravaged team, Winnipeg’s Mike O’Shea beat the Riders and got to the West final. Lion Wally Buono led a stirring late season rally. June Jones had to overcome a host of injuries in Hamilton. A coach has to put his team in a position to win. Jones mishandled the offence all season and especially in the semifinal loss to the Blue Bombers. While his offence struggled, he kept up the Duron Carter fiasco and played him on defence. My vote went to Campbell who did a fine job in Ottawa.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 46 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.
