Kyle Myers
Ticats.ca
The Tiger-Cats nominees for the Most Outstanding Player awards were released on Wednesday ahead of the final week of the CFL season.
Headlining Hamilton’s nominees was quarterback Henry Burris, who took home his first Most Outstanding Player nomination since arriving in Hamilton.
“It means a lot,” said Burris, who was named the CFL’s MOP in 2010 with the Calgary Stampeders. “It feels good to win it, but without having the team up there on stage with you, it’s incomplete. For me this is more of a team award, for what we’ve accomplished this year.”
Joining Burris on the nominee list are fellow offensive players C.J. Gable and Greg Wojt, who were nominated for Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Lineman, respectively.
Gable has compiled 1,382 yards of offence and 12 total touchdowns in his rookie campaign with the Tiger-Cats, but if you ask his coach, it’s the little things that go unnoticed that make Gable so valuable to the team’s success.
“If the people around the league actually knew everything we asked him to do in our offence, they’d be more impressed with what he’s done,” Austin said. “He’s grown throughout the year, the production is there. He’s just highly motivated, highly dedicated, and a guy that has a strong desire to be a good football player.”
Wojt has also been the epitome of a versatile piece for the ‘Cats in 2013. Starting the season at right guard, Wojt has been forced to play part of the season at right tackle due to injuries on the offensive line, and has stepped up to each challenge he’s faced with a tireless work ethic.
“To be able to play inside and outside – which he’s had to do multiple times this year – that was a huge coup for us to have him,” said Austin. “Having a guy that’s able to play on the edge and be able to play to the level that allows you to win a football game, not just through (one), there’s not many guys in the league like him.
Taking home double honours was non-import defensive lineman Brian Bulcke – one of Austin’s first free agent additions as General Manager – who was named both Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Canadian. The third year CFLer has a motor that never quits with a work ethic to match, and is reaping the benefits of increased playing time in Hamilton.
“We really saw a guy that we felt like could be an everyday, every-play type of player,” said Austin. “Brian has all the qualities that we love in a player.”
Rounding out the Ticats award winners was special teams captain Marc Beswick, after leading the CFL in special teams tackles with 22. The special teams ace has played five seasons with the Ticats, and has posted at least 20 STT in all but one of those seasons.
Beswick also scored his first career CFL touchdown this season, and his presence and leadership on the field is something that Austin values highly.
“It’s like having another coach out there,” Austin said.
With individual awards nominees announced, the focus shifts to the Tiger-Cats final regular season game. With their final matchup in Winnipeg on the horizon, the ‘Cats can seize their first season with double-digit wins since 2001, and ride into the playoffs on a winning streak.
All of this will matter come playoff time, as the Ticats will need to be on the top of their games if they hope to reach the Grey Cup. And despite all of the individual accolades, each player was sure to emphasize that that was the ultimate goal in 2013.
“It’s something I’ve said before when I won it in Calgary, it’s good but I’m all about the team,” said Burrris. “I try not to get caught into all the accolades… at the end of the day the memory that I remember (is) smoking a cigar in Montreal, after winning the Grey Cup. I want to do that here.”
