One scribbler’s choices for Green and White player awards
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 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. This ordinarily would be Brendon Labatte’s award, but the perennial all-star and future Canadian Football Hall-of-famer missed the first 12 games due to injury.
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.