Most Outstanding Player 2017

[jerrym]

CFL.ca has produced its list of candidates for MOP. At this point in the season I would pick Andrew Harris. Currently he is third in rushing with 656 yards, only 5 yards behind former Argo Jeremiah Johnson and Harris has a game in hand on both Johnson and Messam who leads with 770 yards. Furthermore, Messam may miss one or more games with a concussion after the brutal hit he received from BC's Micah Awe. In addition, Harris has gained 588 yards receiving including a league leading 466 YAC yards while catching 69 out of 80 pass attempts. In comparison Johnson has 323 yards in receptions and Messam only 148 yards. Harris, at his current pace, would gain 1073 yards on the ground and 962 yards in the air. If he can maintain his yardage rate along the ground and increase his reception yardage rate slightly, Harris would become the first player in CFL history to gain both 1,000 yards along the ground and by receptions. Harris is also the spark plug of the highest scoring offence per game in the league.

In terms of other possible MOP players, three defensive players are listed by CFL.ca: Alex Singleton, Solomon Elimimian, and Ed Gainey. Gainey has 8 interceptions and would have 13 at this rate by season's end (15 is the record). Singleton and Elimimian are battling for the lead in tackles with 91 and 90 respectively. Elimimian is the only defensive player in CFL history to have won the MOP award, so the odds are stacked against any defensive player winning it in any given year. IMO interceptions usually aren't as important as total defensive tackles in judging a player since ball hawks may not be good coverage players and depend to some extent on the defence employed. Of course, tackles are also affected by one's position and the nature of the defence, but do reflect a player's impact in a more consistent play-by-play manner. Since Elimimian won the only MOP defensive player award when he set the record of 143 defensive tackles, and neither Singleton (136) or Elimimian (135) are on a pace to break it, I think it is unlikely either will win it at their current rates. However, Singleton has had three consecutive double digit tackle games so such an ongoing pace would make him a top candidate for the award. I just don't think it's likely that he can. Elimimian has the advantage of being recognized as an outstanding defender which could help him, but having won it could also work against him in that some voters look harder at a player who has already won an award and think about who else is deserving. Overall, I don't think it is likely, based on history, that this is the year for a second defensive MOP winner.

In a quarterback-dominated league, QBs have won the MOP more often than anyone else. The article mentions Reilly, Mitchell, Glenn, Nichols, and Ray. Former Argo QB Trevor Harris, who is second in passing yardage and might have had a decent shot at the award, is out "weeks" according to HC Campbell, so is likely out of the running. I am surprised Glenn is on the list after ranking sixth in yardage, although his passing efficiency is first among the top nine QBs. IMO whatever slim chance he had has been greatly reduced by his current injury also. An argument can be made for each of the others. However, the Eskimos five game losing streak hurts Reilly chances although he leads the league in yardage. Mitchell is the ultimate game manager for the by far most talented team in the league, so his league-leading winning record could help him get the award, but it could also work against him because some question to what extent it is a reflection of the team rather than him. Nichols is leading the highest scoring team per game but is fifth in yardage and third in efficiency. Furthermore, Andrew Harris's season may overshadow his if Harris can keep up his current pace in rushing and reception yardage. Ray, assuming he isn't injured again, could be a candidate but his performance will likely be discounted to some extent because the Argos are likely going to have a losing season, unless they go on an extended winning streak. Overall, with no QB standing out above the others, I think there is less chance that one of them will win it this year.

The article mentions four receivers: Ellingson (1st in yardage), Green (2nd), Roosevelt (5th), and Carter (13th). I don't think the two Riders will win: Carter is far from the top in yardage despite some spectacular catches and his controversial reputation hurts him, while Roosevelt is starting to gain some recognition he is still overshadowed by Carter's history. Zyllstra who is third in reception yardage is quietly having a good season, but unless he starts dominating over the rest of the season, I don't think he will get much consideration. Sinopoli's (3rd in yardage) fine season is overshadowed by Ellingson, so if a receiver is to win it, I think it comes down to a competition between Ellingson and SJ. SJ many outstanding catches would rank him ahead of Ellingson in my book but the voting would be close Sinopoli will also face the he's a Canadian and therefore we will consider him in that category prejudice, which Andrew Harris may also face. However, I think it is much more likely that Andrew Harris wins it, other things being equal if he can maintain something near his current pace and no QB completely dominates the rest pf the season. I also expect one of the QBs could take it if Andrew Harris falters in the last third of the season, given the historical preference for QBs.

https://www.cfl.ca/2017/09/06/mop-wa...-off-11-weeks/