CFL.CA STAFF
Each week CFL.ca’s Jaime Stein and Mitch Ward will debate a current issue in the CFL. This week they make their picks for East and West offensive all-stars. First up is the East Division offensive all-stars which will be followed up tomorrow by the West Division offensive all-stars. Read their picks and then let us know which picks you agree or disagree with.
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STEIN’S PICKS |
WARD’S PICKS |
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| QB: | Anthony Calvillo (MTL) – There is no quarterback in the CFL as consistent week in and week out as Anthony Calvillo. He is the perfect combination of maturity and skill and that’s why he continues to dominate the CFL. | Anthony Calvillo (MTL) – At 38 Calvillo is still the class of the CFL at the quarterback position. His latest 477 yard five TD effort against the Bombers is just one of many incredible performances for the Als leader. |
| G: | Peter Dyakowski (HAM) – Dyakowski has quietly emerged into one of the better offensive linemen in the league amidst little fanfare. He provides solid protection for Kevin Glenn and opens holes for DeAndra’ Cobb. | Brendon LaBatte (WPG) – An East All-Star a year ago and the Bombers’ ’09 Most Outstanding Lineman nominee LaBatte has been solid once again this year helping the Bombers average an East division best 141.3 yards rushing per game from his regular spot at left guard. In just his third year in the CFL he is still getting better too. |
| G: | Scott Flory (MTL) – The CFL’s two-time reigning Most Outstanding Lineman, Flory is one of the reasons why Calvillo continues to have time to make his pinpoint accurate passes. | Scott Flory (MTL) – The winner of the last two Most Outstanding Lineman awards anchors a solid Montreal O-line and is showing no signs of slowing down. |
| T: | Rob Murphy (TOR) – He may be getting up there in years, but Murphy still brings toughness with a touch of mean to the Toronto offensive line. | Alexandre Gauthier (HAM) – The Ticats have given up a league low 20 sacks this season. A big reason for that is Alexandre Gauthier a nine-year CFL veteran who makes sure Kevin Glenn’s blind side is looked after. |
| T: | Josh Bourke (MTL) – Protecting the blind side of the CFL’s best QB is no easy task. Although, Bourke makes it look easy with his consistent play on the line. | Josh Bourke (MTL) – Anthony Calvillo rarely takes a hit he doesn’t see coming. The reason is Bourke, who quite literally has Calvillo’s back at left tackle. |
| C: | Marwan Hage (HAM) – Recognized by his peers as the league’s top centre the past three years, it is finally time for fans and the media to recognize Hage for his on-field abilities. | Marwan Hage (HAM) – Maybe the best centre in the CFL the last few years Hage has often been overlooked by the media out east for Bryan Chiu. With Chiu gone though maybe Hage will finally get some of the recognition he deserves. He is also one of the CFL’s best ambassadors off the field. |
| R: | Arland Bruce III (HAM) – Bruce may be the most dynamic receiver in the CFL. He is quick. He can run great routes. And he can catch, especially in the double coverage he sees all too often. Plus, he brings some excitement to the game – whether your like it or not! | Arland Bruce III (HAM) – The best receiver in the game right now. Bruce has already eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the sixth time in hsi career and is on pace for the best season of his career. |
| R: | Terrence Edwards (WPG) – Edwards is a big play receiver who has a nose for the endzone. He is quickly moving up the charts as one of the best receivers of the last five years. | Terrence Edwards (WPG) – Leading the league with nine TD receptions Edwards is always a threat to go deep and averages an incredible 18.1 yards per catch. |
| R: | Kerry Watkins (MTL) – Montreal has so many great receivers, but Watkins is consistently good. He has tremendous speed and has the ability to make spectacular catches. | Jamel Richardson (MTL) – One of the best possession receivers in the game, Richardson has the most receptions of anyone in the league this year with 75 and is the go-to guy on second down for the potent Als offence. |
| R: | S.J. Green (MTL) – A bit of a dark-horse pick, but Green is a man amongst boys… when he gets the opportunity to play. Despite lining up behind a deep Montreal receiving corps he has still recorded a league high nine receiving touchdowns. | Dave Stala (HAM) – Another excellent possession receiver, Stala is tied for third in the league with 61 receptions and is Kevin Glenn’s favourite target when the Ticats need a first down. He’s on pace for a career year. |
| RB: | Cory Boyd (TOR) – It is too bad Boyd was injured, because he was on pace to lead the league in rushing by a ton of yards. He can pound the ball up the middle and even leak out of the backfield for a pass like his diving beauty against Edmonton earlier this year. | Cory Boyd (TOR) – The Argonauts’ best offensive weapon is still third in the CFL with over 900 yards rushing despite missing the last two games with a concussion. The Argos need Boyd back in the lineup to make a strong playoff push. |
| RB: | Fred Reid (WPG) – Reid is a dynamic back who can cut on a dime and make talented defenders look pretty silly. He leads the league in rushing and is on pace for 1,450 yards on the ground. | Fred Reid (WPG) – Reid is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and leads the CFL with 969 yards along the ground. Reid has also become more of a focal point in the Bomber passing game this season with career highs of 29 receptions and 212 yards |
| K: | Damon Duval (MTL) – This is as much a vote on current performance as it is on past performance. Heck, he won the Grey Cup on a field goal with no time left (even if he received a second chance). He leads the CFL in scoring. | Justin Palardy (WPG) – Do I have to pick an East Kicker? Duval started slow, DeAngelis still can’t figure out the Ivor Wynne wind and both the Argos and Bombers have replaced their opening day kickers. At this point I’m going with Palardy who has hit 8-of-9 since joining the Bombers made all the more impressive by his 32.5 yard average distance. |
| P: | Damon Duval (MTL) – He has the second best punting average of active punters (45.1) this season. Plus, he also kicks field goals, which makes him more valuable to his team than players who only perform one duty. | Mike Renaud (WPG) – Damon Duval is averaging 45.1 yards per punt to Renaud’s 44.2 but Renaud actually has the better net average. Renaud’s kicks net 37.9 yards on average compared to Duval’s 34.5 which tells me Renaud is doing a better job at positioning his kicks. |
| ST: | Chad Owens (TOR) – Worth the price of admission and then some, Owens can change the game in the blink of an eye. Literally. He is as fast as they come. But he can dance, too, which is fun to watch as opposing special teams players are left in his wake as he bursts towards the endzone. | Chad Owens (TOR) – Maybe the most exciting player in the league. Watch him once and you’d be hard pressed not to agree. Absolutely amazing to think the Als let him go |
