With the Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes set to kick off Thursday night at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, the CFL season is here.
That means it’s time for the sportsnet.ca CFL panel to make their awards predictions and let us know who’ll hoist the 103rd Grey Cup little more than five months from now.
The panel includes Donnovan Bennett, Justin Dunk, Mike Johnston, Arash Madani and Jamie Thomas.
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
BENNETT: Zach Collaros, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Bo Levi Mitchell is the easy pick here and I considered Travis Lulay having a bounce-back year in Jeff Tedford’s QB-friendly offence. However, Collaros is the most dynamic dual-threat QB in the league and should improve upon his 65-percent completion rate from 2014.
DUNK: Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, Calgary Stampeders: Calgary’s gunslinger should be more comfortable in his second full season as the starter. And with a bevy of playmakers around him, Mitchell could put up MOP-type numbers.
JOHNSTON: Drew Willy, QB, Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Willy proved last year that he gives his team a chance to win every week. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t improve on a quality 2014 campaign, but I’m guessing he takes his game to a completely new level in 2015.
MADANI: Mike Reilly, QB, Edmonton Eskimos: He remains an under-the-radar quarterback, but in his third year as Edmonton’s starter—and second season in Steve McAdoo’s offence—Reilly is ready to take the next step. What’s critical for Reilly is his health, after late-season injuries (concussion, 2013; foot, 2014) became an issue. If he stays healthy, Reilly will emerge as the next big star in the CFL.
THOMAS: Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary Stampeders: To me this is a race between Cornish and his teammate Bo Levi Mitchell, and it all comes down to if Cornish can remain healthy for more than 14 games. If he does, then it’s his.
MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER
BENNETT: John Bowman, DL, Montreal Alouettes: Everyone’s been talking about the defensive end who came and went in Michael Sam. Let’s not forget the crown jewel of consistency the Alouettes still have. Bowman has long been the most dominant pass rusher in the CFL, registering double-digit sacks in five of the last six years. Although he didn’t garner much pre-season press I don’t expect his 2015 season to be any different.
DUNK: Simoni Lawrence, LB, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: “Simmy HOV” is a young, stud linebacker who is the leader of Hamilton’s defence. The 26-year-old is stout against the run, can cover and rush the passer.
JOHNSTON: Simoni Lawrence, LB, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: This explosive linebacker has improved leaps and bounds each season. He hits with force, is a sure-tackler and is reliable in pass coverage. This could be the year he separates himself from the rest of the CFL’s elite linebackers, of which there are many.
MADANI: Antoine Pruneau, LB/DB, Ottawa Redblacks: The Redblacks invested a first-round pick in the versatile Pruneau, and the 2014 No. 4-overall pick did not disappoint. By August, he’d moved from free safety to take over the starting spot at the toughest defensive position on the field (strong-side linebacker), and held his own. With a full season under his belt, Pruneau is a ratio-changing player who will emerge as one of the league’s top non-imports.
THOMAS: Solomon Elimimian, LB, BC Lions: At the start of training camp Elimimian said he wants to be the best player again. I believe him.
MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN
BENNETT: Andrew Harris, RB, BC Lions: Harris is the most complete back in the CFL as he blocks, passes and runs between the tackles hard. He’ll be heavily featured by incoming head coach Jeff Tedford, who always produced successful ground attacks in his zone read system at Cal.
DUNK: Austin Collie, WR, BC Lions: If Collie can stay healthy for a full season, there should be no reason why he doesn’t easily put up a 1,000-yard-plus receiving season.
JOHNSTON: Andrew Harris, RB, BC Lions: Who doesn’t love a great comeback story? Often overshadowed by Jon Cornish, Harris, who suffered a dislocated ankle last September, is one of the best Canadian running backs the CFL has seen in recent years. He’s also the best in the league at catching balls out of the backfield.
MADANI: Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary Stampeders: Cornish played only half the season in 2014, and yet rushed for over 1,000 yards and had just shy of eight yards a carry. The Stampeders have one of the league’s top young quarterbacks—and a deep receiving corps—but their bread and butter will remain Cornish, who should win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Most Outstanding Canadian award.
THOMAS: Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary Stampeders: If he’s healthy no one can touch him in this department.
MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE
BENNETT: Daryl Waud, DL, Toronto Argonauts: Many thought Waud was good enough to stick with the NFL’s Washington Redskins before he decided to pursue his opportunity up north. His national status will give him a chance to play right away as he can compete at three of the four defensive-line positions, providing roster flexibility.
DUNK: Terrence Toliver, WR, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: ESPN ranked Toliver as the No. 1-rated receiver coming out of high school in the United States in 2007, so the raw talent is there. If the six-foot-five, 200-lb. pass catcher can avoid injuries, Hamilton could have a breakout rookie sensation in their lair.
JOHNSTON: Daryl Waud, DL, Toronto Argonauts: The former Western Mustang left Washington Redskins mini-cap to join the Argos, and Toronto GM Jim Barker thinks highly of his team’s second-round pick. Waud will look to follow in the footsteps of Tristan Okpalaugo, who shone as a rookie with the double-blue in 2014.
MADANI: Lemar Durant, WR, Calgary Stampeders: Durant was one of the most dynamic and explosive receivers in university football last fall, and on draft day it was quite bizarre to see him drop to the No. 18 spot at the end of the second round. The Stampeders thought enough of him that they released veteran Canadian receiver Jabari Arthur. Durant has the potential to be the next great Canadian receiver in the CFL.
THOMAS: Nic Demski, WR, Saskatchewan Roughriders: Darian Durant and Jacques Chapdelaine will find a way to get this kid the ball. He will start slow but as the second half of the season arrives, look out.
COACH OF THE YEAR
BENNETT: Corey Chamblin, Saskatchewan Roughriders: Chamblin is one of the few defensive-minded coaches in the offence-first CFL, and pulls it off without issue. With the new rule changes favouring offence the former defensive back is well positioned to teach new techniques. He has the respect of his players and the ear of his GM, and would be my top choice in a draft of the league’s head coaches.
DUNK: Mike O’Shea, Winnipeg Blue Bombers: Generally this CFL award goes to coaches who get their team to the Grey Cup. But if O’Shea takes the Bombers to the playoffs two years after they won three games, he should get his name on the Annis Stukus Trophy.
JOHNSTON: Mike O’Shea, Winnipeg Blue Bombers: The second-year bench boss is one of the boldest and craftiest coaches in the CFL, and his Bombers should be an improved group.
MADANI: John Hufnagel, Calgary Stampeders: In what will be his swan song on the Stampeders sidelines, Hufnagel has the team that will have him win coach of the year again.
THOMAS: Scott Milanovich, Toronto Argonauts: He will coach the team through a tough beginning stretch without Ricky Ray and a heavy road schedule.
EAST CHAMPION
BENNETT: Toronto Argonauts: Now that Toronto has stability in their front office with Barker and Milanovich re-signed, a new practice facility from the outset, and light at the end of the tunnel in regards to their stadium situation, for the first time in a long time the Argos can solely concentrate on football. The hidden blessing of having only two home games in your first 10 is that down the stretch the Argos will be in the friendly confines of the Rogers Centre.
DUNK: Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Kent Austin and his staff have put together the deepest roster in the East—and they’re still building. Hamilton brought in play-making receivers Terrence Toliver and Tiquan Underwood, along with a healthy Peter Dyakowski and athletic blocker Ryan Bomben. Meanwhile, they still have Simoni Lawrence as the leader of a stout Steeltown defence.
JOHNSTON: Hamilton Tiger-Cats: The Alouettes don’t have a trustworthy offence, the Argos are without Ricky Ray for a while and the Redblacks are still a young team trying to find their identity.
MADANI: Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Deepest team in the East, best opening-day starting QB in the East, most experienced team in the East, best return-man in the league. All-in-all, the two-time defending division champs are more seasoned and poised to play in the Grey Cup for the third straight year.
THOMAS: Hamilton Tiger-Cats: While the injuries keep piling up for the Ti-Cats, Zach Collaros will be even better in his second year in Hamilton and their Canadian talent will put them into the Grey Cup.
WEST CHAMPION
BENNETT: Saskatchewan Roughriders: The Riders and the Stamps are by far the class of the league—they have the most depth and they have the best Canadians. The only difference a year ago was Calgary was better able to manage their injuries, particularly to Darian Durant, who missed the final eight games of the year. But with Durant having a full off-season of injury-free training under his belt and Kevin Glenn brought in as an elite security blanket, the green Riders narrowly win back supremacy in the West.
DUNK: Calgary Stampeders: Calgary seems to always have talent ready to step in and contribute. The Stamps lost impact players in the trenches and a few veteran receivers, but more-than-capable young players (Edwin Harrison, Pierre Lavertu, Freddie Bishop, Eric Rogers, Jeff Fuller and Anthony Parker, to name a few) are primed to keep Calgary galloping.
JOHNSTON: Calgary Stampeders: Simply put they are the most complete team in the CFL on both sides of the ball.
MADANI: Calgary Stampeders: They’re the best team with the deepest roster and the most weapons. Et voila.
THOMAS: Calgary Stampeders: They’ll find a way to replace the likes of Brett Jones, Stanley Bryant and Nik Lewis. Bo Levi Mitchell is one of the most confident people I’ve ever met and he’s ready to improve upon an impressive 2014.
GREY CUP CHAMPION
BENNETT: Saskatchewan Roughriders: Too deep and too talented on D. If the injury bug didn’t hit them hard last year we might be talking about Saskatchewan’s chances to repeat as CFL champs. Law of averages says their amount of injuries reverts back to the mean and they are back in the title conversation in 2015.
DUNK: Hamilton Tiger-Cats: The Tabbies lost a close Grey Cup game in 1998 to Calgary 26–24 and both teams made it back in 1999 when Hamilton won the rematch 32–21. So history repeats itself here with the Ticats getting revenge in the CFL’s championship game in 2015.
JOHNSTON: Calgary Stampeders: They will be pushed, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if John Hufnagel’s team becomes the first CFL team to repeat as champions since the Argos did it in 1996 and ’97.
MADANI: Calgary Stampeders: Stampeders repeat.
THOMAS: Calgary Stampeders: Hamilton is the bridesmaid one more time. Cornish is too much for them in Winnipeg.
