Johany Jutras/CFL
Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
The CFL unveiled the nominees for their Most Outstanding Player Awards today. The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and the CFL head coaches. Take a look at how the Ticats aware nominees measure up against their competition…
| MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: QB Kevin Glenn |
 Glenn continues to put up impressive numbers this season, throwing for over 4,800 yards and setting a new Tiger-Cats single season record for touchdown passes with 30 and completions with 370. Glenn has maintained a remarkably high accuracy level and has distributed the ball well amongst his many weapons. For the first time in club history, the team is poised to finish the season with three 1,000 yard receivers. Offensive Coordinator Mike Gibson says: “He makes good decisions, he distributes the ball to different receivers very well and because of that it’s almost impossible to key in on one guy to shut the passing game down. His ability to process defences quickly lets him get the ball out of his hand before the rush gets there.” |
| How he stacks up against the East Division nominees… |
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HAM: Kevin Glenn – 4,817 passing yards / 65.5% / 30 TDs / 16 INT MTL: QB Anthony Calvillo – 4,839 yards / 67.6% / 32 TD’s / 7 INT |
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West Division Nominees |
| MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN: WR Dave Stala |
 Stala has turned his reputation for delivering in the clutch into a season to remember. Stala is poised to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the second time in his career and has tied his career-high of 83 receptions. No receiver is as fearless going over the middle or laying out for the tough catch, and his rugged style of play has made him Kevin Glenn’s #1 target when the team is in need of a first down. Offensive Coordinator Mike Gibson says: “Dave’s one of my favourite players because he has a good time, but he practices hard and professionally. He wants to be good, but he wants to make people around him good and when you have that, you have a chance to be a great player.” |
| How he stacks up against the East Division nominees… |
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HAM: WR Dave Stala – 83 receptions / 987 receiving yards / 5 TDs MTL: WR Ben Cahoon – 67 receptions / 703 receiving yards / 2 TDs |
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West Division Nominees |
| MOST OUTSTANDING LINEMAN: C Marwan Hage |
 Marwan anchors the stoutest offensive line in the CFL. Giving up a league-low 26 sacks and blocking for a 1,137 yard rusher, Hage is the leader and protection-caller of the CFL’s best unit. Universally respected by his peers and coaches, Hage is regarded as the consummate professional, playing at a high level and playing the game the right way. He has been recogized by his peers as a CFLPA All-Star for the last three seasons and is unquestionably among the league’s elite linemen. Offensive Coordinator Mike Gibson says: “His experience makes him an invaluable asset to the team. There aren’t many looks you can show him that he hasn’t seen. He stays healthy, he doesn’t miss plays and he brings the same intensity and work ethic to every game and practice.” |
| How he stacks up against the East Division nominees… |
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HAM: Tiger-Cats offensive line – 26 sacks allowed MTL: T Josh Bourke – Alouettes offensive line – 34 sacks allowed |
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West Division Nominees |
| MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: LB Markeith Knowlton |
 In his third season as a Tiger-Cat, Knowlton has shown an ability to make game-changing plays on a regular basis. Whether it’s covering the opposition’s top receiver or causing a timely turnover, Knowlton has delivered in a big way in 2010. He’s capable of sacking the quarterback, stopping the running back behind the line, intercepting a pass or blocking a kick on any given play. And, as an added bonus, he won’t hurt your team with penalties. Knowlton has only been penalized twice this season for 24 yards. His main competition for the East MODP, Montreal’s Chip Cox, has been penalized 19 times for 196 yards. Defensive Coordinator Greg Marshall says: “He’s always made a lot of big plays for us and its been no different this year. He makes the big plays at big times. I’m glad to see him finally get some of the recognition he deserves and I hope he wins.” |
| How he stacks up against the East Division nominees… |
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HAM: Markeith Knowlton – 68 tackles / 3 sacks / 3 INTs / 4 forced fumbles / 6 fumble recoveries / 2 blocked punts / 1 TD MTL: LB Chip Cox – 79 tackles / 3 sacks / 2 INTs / 4 forced fumbles / 2 fumble recoveries / 1 TD
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West Division Nominees |
| MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER & MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE: WR/KR Marcus Thigpen |
 Thigpen burst onto the scene this season, returning a kickoff and a missed field goal for touchdowns in the opening game against Winnipeg. He has slowly been worked into the offence as a receiver and a change of pace back, quickly earning a reputation for his ability to score from anywhere on the field. He made CFL history just seven games into his career by scoring a touchdown five separate ways. His 2,086 combined yards is the most among rookies and ranks second overall in the CFL. Special Teams Coordinator Dave Easley says: “I haven’t seen speed like his since Rocket Ismail. His north-south speed is ridiculous, when he turns it on he just runs by everyone.” |
| How he stacks up against the East Division nominees (Rookies)… |
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HAM: Marcus Thigpen – 203 rushing yards / 234 receiving yards / 2,086 combined yards / 7 TDs MTL: LB Marc-Olivier Brouillette – 5 defensive tackles / 4 special teams tackles / 1 INT |
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West Division Nominees |
| How he stacks up against the East Division nominees (Special Teams)… |
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HAM: Marcus Thigpen – 751 kickoff return yards / 514 punt return yards / 384 MFG return yards / 5 return TDs MTL: RB Mike Giffin – 19 special teams tackles / 1 blocked kick |
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West Division Nominees |
