Humble Holm deflects defensive accolades

It pained Evan Holm to be in the spotlight over a personal accolade.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers unveiled their team award winners early Wednesday and the fourth-year defensive back was voted the Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the first time in his career.

Votes are cast by four local members of the Football Reporters of Canada and head coach Mike O’Shea.

“I’m not the biggest fan of media and cameras and stuff,” said Holm while speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s closed practice.

“It’s cool, but it’s just a thing that someone said, though. It is cool and it’s an honour to be chosen and everything, but, yeah, just not my vibe, I guess.”

The other winners were running back Brady Oliveira (Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian), left tackle Stanley Bryant (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman), and returner Trey Vaval (Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Rookie).

It may have made the Edina, Minn., product uncomfortable, but Holm was a fitting choice considering he leads the club with four interceptions and is second in defensive tackles with 53.

“Last year I had (zero interceptions). That’s one thing, I wanted to finish plays and make plays and actually catch the ball and I did that a little bit better this year,” said Holm.

“It’s been decent, but still could be better, I think.”

Holm’s teammates were much more generous with their praise for his play.

“Evan Holm is the best halfback in the CFL. That’s my dawg, man,” said Vaval. “The speed he has, tracking down balls, tracking down receivers is amazing. I love watching him play. Smart guy, been teaching me how to play defence and all that, so, yeah, happy for him. He deserves that.”

Unsurprisngly, if Holm had his way, the award would’ve gone to someone else in the secondary.

“I talk about (Deatrick Nichols) all the time, I think he’s amazing, but without Redha (Kramdi) I don’t think our defence would run the same,” said Holm of the fifth-year Canadian dime back.

“He’s like a quarterback back there for us and he makes his plays, too. He can be in coverage, he can be in the box and he’s directing traffic out there. He would be my choice.”

No one can argue Vaval’s double nod. He was the unanimous choice in both his categories and has a legitimate shot at bringing home a league-wide trophy or two when the CFL’s Player Awards take place Nov. 13 at the Club Regent Event Centre during the Grey Cup festivities in Winnipeg.

The 25-year-old out of Minnesota State Mankato leads the league in punt return yards (957), missed field goal return yards (391 — a new Bombers record), and return touchdowns (four).

“A year ago, I was on the couch not playing. So, it is surreal — I’m not even talking about the award, just being here in general and playing,” said Vaval. “There are dudes that are not playing that are on the couch or injured like Dalton Schoen. He wishes he would be playing right now. The awards are cool and all but just playing the game and being here with my teammates means more to me than anything.”

It was also no surprise to see Oliveira recognized for a third consecutive year. The 28-year-old Winnipegger has enjoyed another brilliant campaign as he leads the CFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,709 and has set career highs in receptions (61) and receiving yards (546) despite only playing one drive in the first three games of the year due to a shoulder injury.

Oliveira is the CFL’s reigning MOP and MOC but is unlikely to repeat considering the year B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke had.

“Amazing, man. It speaks volume to the work I put in here and in the off-season. But then also, most importantly, I think it says a lot about this locker room and the guys I get to come to work with every single day,” said Oliveira.

“I don’t want to say it’s been a good run because I got a lot more in me, but we’re gonna keep this thing going.”

It’s almost become an annual guarantee that Bryant gets named the team’s top blocker. This is his seventh time winning it, and on four of those occasions, he went on to receive the CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman Award. One of the best to ever do it, Bryant is still getting it done at the fine age of 39.

“You see Tom Brady; he played until he was like 50. LeBron (James) is probably going to play until he’s 50. I’m not comparing myself to those guys but, for me, it’s just a mindset,” said Bryant.

“I know what I’m capable of doing, what I still can do. I’m just trying to strive for greatness and continue to be the best I can be on the field and try to make other guys better.”

The next round of voting for the CFL awards will see the West and East Division winners announced next week.

The Bombers (9-8) wrap up the regular season on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host the Montreal Alouettes (10-7).

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca