And the winners are ... (in my opinion anyway)
Within a year, Cody Fajardo has gone from mostly standing to most outstanding.
Fajardo, who was a third-string quarterback and short-yardage specialist for his first three-plus seasons in the CFL, is a mortal lock to be named the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ top player when results of the first-round voting are announced Wednesday.
Any discussion about Fajardo’s most-outstanding player credentials should pertain to a higher tier. In this cherished space on the weekend, it was written that Fajardo should be named the league’s MOP.
And, yes, this scribbler is familiar with the Hamilton Tiger-cats’ Brandon Banks, who is enjoying a spectacular season.
But as the quarterback of a surprising Saskatchewan side that is one victory shy of clinching first place in the West Division for only the second time in the life span of Gainer the Gopher, Fajardo is simply at another level.
Not so long ago, there was a vibrant debate regarding the Roughriders’ MOP derby.
Fajardo and defensive Charleston Hughes were the clear front-runners.
However, Hughes has now gone four consecutive games without a sack, whereas Fajardo continues to sparkle ... or sprinkle, as it were.
Anyway, without further preamble, here are my choices for the Roughriders’ players of the year in the various categories.
Most Outstanding Player
Winner: Fajardo.
Runners-up: Hughes, Shaq Evans, William Powell.
Rationale: Sans Fajardo, the Roughriders would be sunk. There were fears that the season
New York Jet and running back Melvin Gordon is still a Los Angeles Charger.
Of course, a bunch of eye-opening trades already had gone down this month, led by Jacksonville sending Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Rams.
The Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday promoted Toronto native Tevaughn Campbell from
Prince Albert Titans at Saskatoon Quakers, 7:45 p.m. at Rod Hamm Arena.
TSN1: Korea Republic vs. France, 1:45 p.m. TSN5: Netherlands vs. Senegal, 1:45 p.m.
Sportsnet 360/One: Edmonton at Columbus, 5:30 p.m. Sportsnet 360/One: Vancouver at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m. was lost when, just three plays into the opener, quarterback Zach Collaros was concussed. Fajardo has worked a minor miracle since then.
Most Outstanding
Defensive Player
Winner: Hughes.
Runners-up: Solomon Elimimian, Derrick Moncrief, Nick Marshall, Mike Edem.
Rationale: Despite the recent slump, Hughes still has a leaguehigh 15 sacks.
Most Outstanding Canadian Winner: Cameron Judge. Runners-up: Edem, Dan Clark, Jon Ryan, Cory Watson, Makana Henry, Albert Awachie.
Rationale: The jury was out on Judge when his rookie year of 2017 was a virtual writeoff. Now he is a consistent factor and a terror on blindside blitzes. He also shines on special teams.
Most Outstanding Lineman Winner: Clark.
Runner-up: Thaddeus Coleman. Rationale: Clark is enjoying one of his finest seasons, as evidenced by robust run blocking.
Most Outstanding
Special Teams Player
Winner: Ryan.
Runners-up: Alexandre Gagne, Loucheiz Purifoy, Brett Lauther, Kienan Lafrance.
Rationale: The Regina-born Ryan is averaging 49.0 yards per punt. The average has exceeded 50 for most of the season. Ryan should boast the best punting average in Roughriders history. For the time being, Ken Clark holds the record of 47.4, set in 1983.
Most Outstanding Rookie
Winner: Dakoda Shepley. Runner-up: Seun Idowu. Rationale: Shepley started earlier than expected due to injuries and quickly established himself as a legitimate CFL lineman. Shepley will enjoy a long and prosperous professional football career. the practice squad to the active roster. Following four years in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes, Campbell had spent the spring and summer trying out unsuccessfully with the New York Jets.
The Chargers signed the 26-year-old to their practice squad in mid September.
TSN3/5: Detroit at Toronto, 5:30 p.m.
TSN5: Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz, 8 p.m.
Sportsnet West & FOX: Washington at Houston (if necessary), 6 p.m.
TSN1/4: Atlanta at Toronto, 6 p.m.
TSN2: Japan vs. United States, Midnight. TSN2: Chile vs. Haiti, 2 a.m.