Blue Bombers’ Bryant is top O-lineman

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This article was published 23/11/2017 (3175 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — A pair of Winnipeg Blue Bombers walked away with hardware at the Canadian Football League’s annual awards gala Thursday night, with running back Andrew Harris winning the most outstanding Canadian award, and left tackle Stanley Bryant being named the league’s most outstanding offensive lineman.

Harris and Bryant are first-time winners of their respective awards, as the West Division snatched up five of the seven league honours on the night. Harris, 30, is the first Bomber to win the most outstanding Canadian award since former defensive tackle and CFL Hall of Famer Doug Brown won it in 2001. Bryant, 31, is also 16 years removed from former Bombers OL Dave Mudge, another 2001 winner.

Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly was named the CFL’s most outstanding player. Calgary Stampeders linebacker Alex Singleton (defensive player) and running back Roy Finch (special teams), and Toronto Argonauts running back James Wilder Jr. (rookie) and head coach Marc Trestman (coach) also claimed awards.

The list of runners-up included Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray (most outstanding), Montreal Alouettes linebacker Kyries Hebert (defensive player), Ottawa Redblacks receiver Brad Sinopoli (Canadian), the Argonauts’ Sean McEwen (offensive lineman), Redblacks receiver Diontae Spencer (special teams), Calgary receiver Marken Michel (rookie) and Stampeders bench boss Dave Dickenson (coach). Members of the Football Reporters of Canada and nine CFL head coaches chose the winners.

“I was nervous. I didn’t even button my suit right. I had the bottom button on the top hole, so I had to fix that going up there,” said Bryant, whose speech included a special thank you to his mother and sister, both of whom were in the crowd. “It was just one of those goals I set for myself this year, and to see it actually happen, it feels good. I feel like I’ve been consistent my whole career and it’s just great to get the recognition.”

Bryant just finished his third season with the Bombers, where he helped steer a front five that helped the Bombers’ offence lead the league in rushing yards and score the second-most points. The Glensboro, N.C., native started all 18 regular-season games for the Bombers in 2017, and the West semifinal, and has yet to miss a game for the Blue and Gold since joining the club for the start of the 2015 season.

“This year, my mindset was different,” Bryant said. “I tell myself before every play that I’m the best and that I can do anything. Just having that belief each and every play, each and every game, has helped me a lot.”

Bryant, 31, is without a contract for the 2018 season.

“I haven’t really thought that much about it. I’m just going to celebrate this award and then go from there,” Bryant said.

Harris led the CFL in rushing with 1,035 yards on 189 carries. The Winnipeg native also finished with 857 receiving yards, setting a new single-season record for receptions by a running back with 105. Craig Ellis, who reached the mark with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1985, held the previous record of 102.

Harris finished with a league-best 1,892 yards from scrimmage.

“I honestly think it was Winnipeg. Being home and playing in front of my family and friends and the city… just everything involving being around Winnipeg,” said Harris, when asked about the secret behind his success this year. “And the guys in that locker room. Those guys are my brothers, and when you have guys that you generally care about… that makes a big difference when you go out there on that battlefield.”

Reilly is the first Edmonton player to win the league’s top award since 1989, when quarterback Tracy Ham won. Reilly, 32, led the CFL in passing yards (5,830), rushing touchdowns (12) — both of which were career highs — and quarterback rating (87.1). He was the only quarterback to start in all 18 games this season.

Singleton earned the top defensive player honours after just his second season in the CFL. The 23-year-old linebacker set a record for most tackles in a season by a non-import, with 123, which was also second-best in the CFL in 2017. Singleton also had four sacks, a forced fumble and one interception, leading a defence that allowed a league-low 349 points — an average of 19.4 points per game — and registered a CFL-best 50 sacks.

Finch put together one of the best seasons in the CFL for a punt returner. The 26-year-old registered 1,200 punt-return yards, which gives him the third-highest total in the CFL for a single season, behind only Henry Williams (1,440 yards in 1991) and Chris Wright (1,236, 1995). He received 61 first-place votes.

Despite starting the season mostly as a special-teams player, Wilder busted onto the scene as one of the league’s most talented running backs late in the year. He had just 261 total yards from scrimmage through the first 10 games, only to add another 1,141 yards (700 rushing, 441 receiving) in the last seven games.

Trestman was hired as the Argonauts’ head coach in February, but despite the late start was able to turn around a team that finished last (5-13) in the CFL in 2016 to win the East Division this season at 9-9. Toronto defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the East final, and is set to face Calgary in Sunday’s Grey Cup.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @jeffkhamilton