Jeff Piercy
CFL.ca
On the day after the CFL announces its East and West All-Stars I have decided to taken it upon myself to name an all-star team of my own. I am not, however, going to disagree with the nation, or its football pundits, and give you my offensive and defensive dream teams. Rather it will be my CFL Special Teams All-Stars that get the spotlight today. For the most part I will exclude kickers and returners because they receive formal recognition from the CFL.
From West to East, here are my twelve 2008 CFL Special Team All-Stars:
BC LIONS: Jason Arakgi, Jason Pottinger, and Jamall Johnson. These three Lions finished 1, 2, and 3 respectively in Special Teams Tackles (STT) this season, combining for 88 tackles. Arakgi, a rookie from McMaster led the CFL in that category this season and proved to be a very competent blocker in the return game. Pottinger, another McMaster linebacker in the CFL, has been one of the most complete “teamers” in the CFL since his rookie season in 2005. Johnson, a strong side linebacker, constantly creates mismatches with his size and speed playing as a “gunner” on their punt team.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS: Chris Ciezki and Mathieu Bertrand. Ciezki and Bertrand finished 5th and 8th respectively in STT’s this season which is very impressive considering both play in the back row of the Eskimo’s punt team. This means they are second level players when it comes to coverage responsibilities and therefore will not get to make tackles unless the returner breaks through the first wave of the cover team.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS: Jon Cornish. Cornish finished 2008 in 7th place in STT and was very good on kick-off and punt returns. Like Johnson in BC, his size and speed cause problems for opposing coaches and make it difficult for opponents to come off his block to make tackles.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS: Neal Hughes. Hughes does a great job in the back row of the Rider’s punt team protecting Jamie Boreham, and is also a punt-fake threat from that position. He is a veteran player with great feet and always seems to have proper leverage on the people he is blocking on kick-off and punt returns giving his returners clean lanes, and making it tough for opponents to come off his block and affect the play.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS: Graeme Bell and Greg Bearman. Bell is my CFL Comeback Player of the Year after returning from a serious head injury to start at Fullback for the Bombers and finish 6th in the league in STT. Bearman, another player with excellent speed, makes the list because he always uses his speed to keep contain and turn the returners back towards his coverage team, and is known for making huge “ear-hole” hits in the return game.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS: Ray Mariuz. Probably the smartest, savviest player on the list, Mariuz is a pure veteran. He is always assignment sound in his protection assignments, a sure tackler, and an excellent blocker. He is one of the most complete special teamers in the CFL and a leader on the field.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS: Bryan Crawford. Crawford finished 4th in the league in STT and is one of the fastest special teamers in the CFL. His speed puts him in great position to make important blocks, disrupt the returns of the opposing team, and obviously make tackles down field very quickly.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES: Walter Spencer. Spencer has been a dominant teamer in the CFL for years and 2008 was no different. He is always among the league leaders in STT, having led the league last year, and is a veteran player that understands leverage and where his returns are designed to go, and puts himself in great positions to make his important blocks.
I have decided I will also pay tribute to some of the less recognized Special Teams positions.
Matt Robichaud – Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Long Snapper. Robi has been the best long snapper in the CFL for nearly his entire eight year career. He is easily the fastest snapper in the league, and his snaps are seldom off target. He also does the Field Goal and P.A.T. snapping for the Ti-Cats.
Ben Cahoon – Montreal Alouettes – Holder. The CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian (hint hint, nudge nudge) is also the league’s finest holder. He always gets the ball down on time and positioned correctly, and can both throw and catch in field goal fake scenarios.
Barron Miles – BC Lions – Punt/FG Blocker. The guy jumped over a long snapper and blocked a P.A.T. I don’t know what else I have to say. He is the best in the CFL at finding the “block point” and getting a hand on the kicked ball. He is also very elusive and difficult to block making him the most dangerous punt blocker in the league… Something he has been for years.
Nick Setta – Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Most dangerous kicker. Nick is the most accurate “onside” kicker in the league, and the most dangerous in punt situations. He executed three punt fakes to Chad Rempel this season, and is always a threat to pull the ball down and run if the punt return team isn’t paying attention.
Jeff Piercy is in his fourth CFL season. He was a second round pick in the 2005 Canadian Draft.
