So many ‘outstanding’ men

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This article was published 27/10/2011 (5151 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Here’s something that is sure to spark some debate: Who is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ most outstanding player?

Think about it for a second. It’s not an easy question.

“Everybody — can that be the answer?” Jonathan Hefney said after practice Wednesday. “It’s tough, because there are a lot of guys out there, a lot of guys playing well. It’s a toss-up and whoever gets it, congratulations.”

This depth and performance Hefney alludes to is what those selecting the Bombers’ 2011 Most Outstanding Player nominee will wrestle with. Unlike past seasons, where the choice is obvious, there is no clear favourite on the Blue and Gold this time — a fact that speaks to the completeness of a 10-6 club and the team-first message the players have tried to put forward.

Let’s try to narrow it down anyway.

The 2011 Bombers’ reputation is built on its stout defence, so the conversation starts there. Jovon Johnson is a prime candidate. He has a career-best (and league-leading) seven interceptions (two for touchdowns) and is third in the CFL with 490 punt-return yards.

Hefney, a fellow defensive back, is on the short list, too. He has five picks, leads the team with 70 tackles and is the poster boy for the Winnipeg secondary’s physical and aggressive style.

Those two are just the tip of the iceberg. Typically, the MOP goes to a player on offence, but this year, even the guy leading the huddle figures those without the ball should get the nomination.

“You know what? I have no idea,” laughed quarterback Buck Pierce. “(Defensive co-ordinator) Tim Burke has done a great job. Can he get a nod for that? We don’t put up huge numbers offensively, but there are guys who have been very consistent. Guys like Jovon and Hefney, though, they’ll be hard to beat.”

Let’s handicap the six “Most Outstanding” awards for the Blue and Gold this season:

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER

2010 nominee: SB Terrence Edwards

Candidates: Hefney, Johnson, LB Clint Kent, DE Odell Willis, Pierce, Edwards.

Debate: It boils down to Johnson and Hefney — one has the numbers, the other has the impact. Can’t go wrong with either. Willis leads the league with 13 sacks, but he’s been relegated to non-starter status, so that hurts his bid.

Dark horse: Edwards has another 1,000-yard season and leads the club with eight touchdowns. He doesn’t play defence, though.

MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER

2010 nominee: DE Phillip Hunt

Candidates: Johnson, Hefney, Kent, Willis

Debate: Unless Edwards or Pierce shocks the world, it’s hard to envision a situation where the Bombers MOP doesn’t also win the defensive honour, right? Hunt parlayed his 2010 season into a job with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dark horse: Kent has 51 tackles (third on the team) and has become a valuable piece to the linebacker corps.

MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN

2010 nominee: Doug Brown

Candidates: SB Cory Watson, OL Brendon LaBatte, S Ian Logan, Brown

Debate: Watson is having a strong second season. Yes, his numbers have trailed off in recent weeks, but his 751 yards are good for second on the club. His 64 catches lead all Bombers receivers. Logan has a career-high four picks. That’s something the voters should consider.

Dark horse: Brown. Why? People love all that sentimental sugar.

MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE

2010 nominee: OL Andre Douglas

Candidates: SB Clarence Denmark, DL Jason Vega, DE Kenny Mainor

Debate: Vega and Mainor each have seven sacks, but neither has put down roster roots like Denmark has. Fifty-five catches for 724 yards and four touchdowns makes his case a strong one. He’s also in the Bombers’ kick-return stable.

Dark horse: It says here Vega could garner a few votes with another strong outing against Toronto Friday.

MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

2010 nominee: OL Brendon LaBatte

Candidates: LaBatte

Debate: We’re not going to pretend to know the intricacies of line play, so let’s go with what the coaches say. They say LaBatte, who switched from guard to centre last week, is the club’s best lineman. Ergo, end of story.

Dark horse: This is LaBatte’s to lose.

MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER

2010 nominee: Johnson

Candidates: Johnson

Debate: Another easy pick. Punter Mike Renaud has struggled. Kicker Justin Palardy is kicking field goals at a 75 per cent clip. Merrill Johnson and James Green (who also has a blocked punt) lead the team with 14 special-teams tackles each.

Dark horse: There isn’t one. It’s Jovon Johnson. He’s the only return threat on the club.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

TODAY, the Football Reporters of Canada will be asked to select the “Most Outstanding” nominees of the teams they cover.

The process is simple: Seven media members and the club’s head coach in each CFL city vote on who they believe is the most outstanding in each of the six categories (most outstanding player, defensive player, Canadian, rookie, offensive lineman and special teams). The six team award nominees will be announced Wednesday.

Those players are then measured against the rest of the division in the second round of voting. Division all-stars are also chosen at this time. Announcement of those winners comes in the week leading up to the semifinal games.

The third round of voting involves selecting the CFL all-stars and the CFL’s “Most Outstanding” award winners.

The league all-stars are scheduled to come out Nov. 16, while the individual player awards will be announced at the annual awards show Nov. 24 in Vancouver, site of the 99th Grey Cup.

— Wazny