CFL Award Finalist – Predictions
Published: Thursday, Nov 8th 2018, 6:11pm
By: Stephen Safinuk (@Safimod)
The league announced the picks for Western and Eastern Division nominees for the 2018 CFL Player Awards earlier today. Of course, they don’t come without a little bit of scrutiny, and I will get to that in a moment. First off, here are the nominees:
Most Outstanding Player
West Division: Bo Levi Mitchell (Calgary)
East Division: Jeremiah Masoli (Hamilton)
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
West Division: Adam Bighill (Winnipeg)
East Division: Larry Dean (Hamilton)
Most Oustanding Canadian
West Division: Andrew Harris (Winnipeg)
East Division: Brad Sinopoli (Ottawa)
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman
West Division: Stanley Bryant (Winnipeg)
East Division: Brandon Revenberg (Hamilton)
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
West Division: Ty Long (BC)
East Division: Lewis Ward (Ottawa)
Most Outstanding Rookie
West Division: Jordan Williams-Lambert (Saskatcheawan)
East Division: Lewis Ward (Ottawa)
Coach of the Year
West Division: Chris Jones (Saskatchewan)
East Division: Rick Campbell (Ottawa)
The only pick that I really question is the Western Division nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. Brett Lauther was money all season long, and responsible for several of the Riders 12 wins this year. Once I got around to looking at it though, I can see why Ty Long was the selection. Only slightly behind Lauther on field goal percentage (87.8 vs 90) he was also 1st in punting yards and net punting.
Here are my picks for the 2018 CFL Player Award Winners:
Most Outstanding Player
Winner: Bo Levi Mitchell
This award will go to Bo Levi Mitchell. While their numbers are similar in passing yards, Mitchell led the league in passing touchdowns by a large margin, and did so while almost every receiver on his team spent time on the 6 game injured list. Jeremiah Masoli’s 12 games with 300+ passing yards is nothing to scoff at though. This one will be close, but Mitchell will take it home.
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Winner: Adam Bighill
I’ve said it numerous times on our show – Adam Bighill was the single best free agent signing in 2018. He is the spoon that stirs the Blue Bombers defense, and I suspect they would not be in the CFL playoffs at all were it not for Bighill’s contributions. While this may not be a unanimous choice, it will be close to it. The battle for who won out in the West will likely be closer than the final. Adam Bighill will be your 2018 Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Most Oustanding Canadian
Winner: Andrew Harris
Both Andrew Harris and Brad Sinopoli had great seasons in 2018. Sinopoli finished 3rd in the league in receiving yards, while breaking the record for most catches by a Canadian in CFL history. Andrew Harris was again a key cog in the Bombers offense with 451 receiving yards to go along with his league leading 1390 rushing yards. The difference, here is the overall contribution. The award will go to Andrew Harris
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman
Winner: Stanley Bryant
Bryant anchored an offensive line that saw Andrew Harris win the rushing title while simultaneously allowing the 3rd fewest sacks in 2018. That gives him the edge over Revenberg, whose line gave up an identical number of sacks, but earned far fewer rushing yards. This will be the closest battle to me, but Stanley Bryant walks away with his second consecutive Most Outstanding Lineman award.
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
Winner: Lewis Ward
Do we really need to discuss this one? Lewis Ward wins this one in a unanimous selection. He had a season for the ages.
Most Outstanding Rookie
Winner: Lewis Ward
While this one might be a little closer than the Special Teams Player award, there is still little doubt in most people’s minds who the Most Outstanding Rookie is. Williams-Lambert’s 764 yards and 4 touchdowns won’t be enough to overcome Lewis Ward’s 51/52 season. Lewis Ward will be a double award winner in 2018.
Coach of the Year
Winner: Chris Jones
Rick Campbell took the 8-9-1 REDBLACKS of 2017 and turned them in to the 11-7 Division winning Ottawa REDBLACKS of 2018. Meanwhile, the 10-8 Roughriders were the best team against a tough West Division (7-3 in 2018), finishing 2 wins better than 2017 at 12-6 and hosting their first playoff game since 2013. I don’t think there is much doubt that Chris Jones will be the 2018 Coach of the Year.
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