In an offensive world that is the CFL, defensive players such as Muamba and Bighill could earn most outstanding player nominations
In football as in life, getting mad is pointless, getting even preferable.
But to hear defensive players tell it, the rules and scales are tipped so obviously against them on a Canadian Football League field that getting even takes far more effort on their part than it does an offensive player.
“One hundred per cent. That’s the truth, and as a defensive player you learn to live with that,” said Montreal linebacker Henoc Muamba. “It is what it is, but for us to have to go through so much, it really almost always feels like the defence is at a disadvantage, to be honest. As defensive players, we always say it’s an offensive world.”
That said, the scales might swing over in favour of Muamba and his premier defensive counterparts in the CFL. The Football Reporters of Canada have completed the initial round of voting that will produce team nominees for each of the six player awards, and this year there is a chance that four or perhaps even five defensive players will emerge as the most outstanding player nominees for their respective squads.
With 100 defensive tackles, five sacks, a league-leading 11 tackles for losses, a forced fumble, an interception, a fumble recovery and a knockdown, Muamba is a serious contender for the MOP nod in Montreal.
Linebacker Adam Bighill and running back Andrew Harris are the frontrunners in Winnipeg; while linebacker Alex Singleton has to be considered in Calgary along with quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.
Bighill and Singleton lead the CFL with 126 defensive plays apiece. Singleton has the edge in defensive tackles with a league-high 115, while Bighill is tops with four forced fumbles. He also has four QB sacks, while Singleton has yet to bag one.
In B.C., defensive back T.J. Lee has led the Lions in defensive plays all year long. He has 77 defensive tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, three tackles for a loss and a league-leading 12 knockdowns, and is likely in a battle with kicker Ty Long for the MOP nod.