The Story
The CFL season is behind us and just like any other respectful league in professional sports, it’s time to hand out some end of the season awards!
The 2018 Shaw CFL Awards will be presented live from the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Alberta on November 22nd as part of the Grey Cup festivities. The Shaw CFL Awards include 7 categories and are voted on by 68 voters from the Football Reports of Canada and CFL coaches.
Here are this year’s nominees:
Most Outstanding Player
West - Bo Levi Mitchell
East - Jeremiah Masoli
Bo Levi Mitchell is up for nomination for the third time in his career and is looking to capture his second MOP. Mitchell put up career highs during the 2018 seasons with 35 touchdowns and a 60.9 completion percentage. Mitchell threw for 5,000+ yards for the second time in career.
Jeremiah Masoli had by far the best season of his career despite having Johnny Manziel breathing down his neck at the beginning of the season. Masoli threw for 5,209 yards and 28 TDs in his first full season as a starter. Masoli is the first Ticats player to be nominated for the award since Danny McManus in 1999.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Bo Levi Mitchell
Ian Sheppard - Jeremiah Masoli
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
West - Adam Bighill
East - Larry Dean
Adam Bighill came back into the CFL just as he left the CFL - one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Bighill recorded 105 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. Bighill helped lead a defence that finished tied for first with a turnover ratio of +13 and made the Blue Bombers one of the best defensive teams in the CFL.
Larry Dean surpassed the 100-tackle mark for the first time in his career in 2018, finishing with 105 and tying fellow nominee Adam Bighill. Dean was an important cog in the best defence in the East Division as the Ticats allowed the fewest total yards and least amount of rushing yards in the East.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Adam Bighill
Ian Sheppard - Adam Bighill
Most Outstanding Canadian
West - Andrew Harris
East - Brad Sinopoli
The reigning Most Outstanding Canadian Andrew Harris will look to defend his title and become MOC for the second year in a row. Harris led the league in rushing with a career-high 1,390 rushing yards. He also recorded 58 receptions for 451 yards along with 11 touchdowns.
The Eastern Division nominee is REDBLACKS receiver, Brad Sinopoli. Sinopoli is only in his fifth season playing WR as he came into the league with Calgary as a QB. Sinopoli set a CFL record with 116 receptions and 1,376 yards.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Brad Sinopoli
Ian Sheppard - Brad Sinopoli
Nissan Titan Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman
West - Stanley Bryant
East - Brandon Revenberg
This is Stanley Bryant’s second consecutive season being a nominee for this award. This season, Bryant played an important role on a Winnipeg team that saw their running back lead the league in rushing and with the team tied for the third-fewest sacks allowed in the league.
Revenberg anchored a line that saw their QB Jeremiah Masoli surpass 5,000 yards for the first time in his career. He contributed to the second-best passing attack in the CFL and was an important role in Hamilton leading the league in time of possession.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Stanley Bryant
Ian Sheppard - Stanley Bryant
Most Oustanding Special Teams
West - Ty Long
East - Lewis Ward
Ty Long handled both the kicking and punting duties for the BC Lions this year and led the league in both punting yards per punt and net yardage gained off punting. Long also went 43/49 from field goal range (87.8%) and was a perfect six-for-six from 50 yards or longer.
Lewis Ward led the league with a 98.1% field goal percentage, setting the single-season CFL record. Ward also broke Adam Vinatieri’s professional football record eventually finishing with 47 field goals in a row.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Lewis Ward
Ian Sheppard - Lewis Ward
Most Oustanding Rookie
West - Jordan Williams-Lambert
East - Lewis Ward
Jordan Williams-Lambert played in 17 games this season, compiling 62 catches for 764 yards and four touchdowns. He finished first on the Riders in receptions and tied for first in touchdown receptions. The last Roughriders player to be nominated for this award was Weston Dressler in 2008.
As mentioned before, Lewis Ward led the league with a 98.1% field goal percentage, setting the single-season CFL record. Ward also broke Adam Vinatieri’s professional football record eventually finishing with 47 field goals in a row.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Lewis Ward
Ian Sheppard - Lewis Ward
Coach of the Year
West - Chris Jones
East - Rick Campbell
Chris Jones coached a Riders team that saw much improvement in 2018 as they were in the hunt for the West Division title right up until the final game of the season. Campbell led the REDBLACKS to the East Division Title and put themselves one victory away from competing in the Grey Cup for the third time in four years.
Our picks:
Arik Krause - Chris Jones
Ian Sheppard - Chris Jones
Agree with our picks? Let us know, as Win Column Sports will be providing live coverage from the event beginning at 7:30pm MST.
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