JEFFERSON FOR MOP
Vanstone makes the case
We rudely interrupt your valuable leisure time to bring you the latest from the “they don’t give me a vote but I will still pontificate, anyway, because it is a slow week” department.
Without further preamble, here are one scribe’s nominees for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ player awards. The actual winners are to be announced this week.
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Defensive end Willie Jefferson gets the nod by virtue of his game-changing capability. Three contests stand out:
Sept. 8: With Saskatchewan trailing the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers 10-0, Jefferson intercepted Matt Nichols and waltzed 97 yards for a touchdown. Later, Jefferson disrupted Nichols’ timing on a pass that was intercepted by linebacker Samuel Eguavoen and returned 103 yards for another major. Both Riders touchdowns were scored on defence in their 32-27 victory.
Oct. 8: The Roughriders were trailing the visiting Edmonton Eskimos 12-9 late in the fourth quarter when Jefferson intercepted Mike Reilly and trotted 49 yards for what turned out to be the game-winning TD. Saskatchewan 19, Edmonton 12.
Oct. 19: Jefferson made two massive plays in a 35-16 victory over the visiting B.C. Lions — a victory that secured a home playoff game for Saskatchewan. He tipped a pass to cause an interception ( by Tobi Antigha) and strip-sacked Travis Lulay (leading to a Zack Evans fumble recovery for a touchdown).
Other top candidates for team MOP honours are Eguavoen, defensive end Charleston Hughes, cornerback/short-yardage quarterback Nick Marshall and kicker Brett Lauther.
Eguavoen is seventh in the league in defensive tackles, with 81. He has scored TDS on a picksix and a blocked punt return, registered three sacks and forced two fumbles. Nine tackles for a loss are also noteworthy.
Hughes, who spent the previous 10 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, registered 15 sacks and could very well end up leading the league in that category for the third successive season.
Marshall returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns while drawing difficult coverage assignments throughout the season. He led the team in TDS (nine), scoring on seven of his nine rushes.
Lauther was a revelation in his first full CFL season, hitting 54 of 60 field-goal attempts — a 90-per-cent accuracy rate.
Honestly, it is difficult to go wrong with any member of that quartet, but nobody has affected games (and, by extension, the season) quite like Jefferson.
His ability to wreak havoc is comparable to that of hall of famer Ed Mcquarters, who in 1967 had a 68-yard pick-six for Saskatchewan en route to being named the league’s outstanding lineman.
Jefferson is a six-foot-six version of Mcquarters, who could run like a halfback and hit like a truck.
MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Jefferson, obviously. Next ...
MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN
Lauther, as the only homebrew mentioned above as an MOP candidate, is the choice for top-Canadian honours.
His performance was as impressive as it was timely, considering that Tyler Crapigna — a reliable placekicker in his own right — was sidelined in June and required hip surgery.
With one week remaining in the regular season, and the Roughriders on a bye, Lauther leads the league in field goals (54). Fourteen of his threepointers have been from 40-plus yards. He has also connected four times from 50-plus, the longest being a 56-yard game-winner.
Lauther’s candidacy may be dismissed in some circles by those who harrumph that “he’s only a kicker.” Turn that around, though, and consider that points are at stake every time he lines up for a placement.
Also ponder this question: Which Canadian on the Roughriders’ roster best adheres to the description of “outstanding?”
From that standpoint, it is difficult to dispute the selection of someone who was just one successful field goal shy of setting a Roughriders singleseason record for accuracy. That standard of 90.6, set in 1993, is still owned by hall of famer Dave Ridgway.
The other premier candidate is Brendon Labatte, a top-tier guard who moved to centre after Dan Clark was injured.
Labatte, who has hall of fame credentials of his own, is a key component of an offensive line that was among the league’s best by season’s end. He plays at a high level, even while banged up, and is also an exemplary leader.
Lauther, however, has simply had one of those jaw-dropping years. “Outstanding ” may not even do him justice.
MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Labatte, obviously.
The Weyburn Eagles and University of Regina Rams alumnus should be in line to be named a divisional all-star for the ninth time in 11 pro seasons.
Clark was also having a fine year before being forced to miss the past three games due to injury. But Labatte was Labatte, and that pretty much says it all.
MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYER
Lauther, obviously.
The intent is not to shortchange Kyran Moore (who had two punt-return touchdowns), Alexandre Gagne (whose 23 special-teams tackles lead the league entering the final week) or Jorgen Hus (the unerring long snapper).
All that being said, Lauther is a mortal lock to be named the Roughriders’ top special-teams player. Even I can’t get that one wrong.
MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE
I can’t get this one wrong, either. Jordan Williams-lambert is the choice after registering a team-high 62 catches for 764 yards, with four touchdowns.
Mark him down for 1,000 yards for the rest of his time in the CFL.
AND THE LEAGUE WINNERS SHOULD BE ...
Most outstanding player: Adam Bighill, Winnipeg (runner-up: Trevor Harris, Ottawa Redblacks).
The West Division’s quarterbacks have cooled off of late. Bighill played a key role in Winnipeg ’s surge down the stretch. Harris outplayed his opposite number, the Hamilton TigerCats’ Jeremiah Masoli, when first place in the East was at stake.
Most outstanding defensive player: Bighill (runner-up: Larry Dean, Hamilton).
For reasons previously cited. Most outstanding Canadian: Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa (runnerup: Andrew Harris, Winnipeg).
Calgary linebacker Alex Singleton, who has a league-high 115 tackles, also deserves mention. In most years, he or Harris (who has 1,355 rushing yards and another 451 yards on receptions) would be an easy choice. But Sinopoli’s stats (116 catches!) are simply off the charts.
Most outstanding offensive lineman: Brandon Revenberg, Hamilton (runner-up: Stanley Bryant, Winnipeg).
Bryant has a bigger reputation, but Revenberg ’s athleticism is rare and his upside is enormous. Most outstanding special-teams player: Lewis Ward, Ottawa (runner-up: Ty Long, B.C.).
Ward is 49-for-50 on field-goal attempts, having hit 45 in a row — a pro football record. Long lives up to his surname by sending punts into orbit (see: 48.7yard average) and with six field goals of 50-plus yards.
Most outstanding rookie: Ward (runner-up: Williams-lambert).
Once again, “he’s only a kicker” is not applicable.