Ricky Ray Eastern MVP

[argonaut11xx]

For the second year in a row...

He earned it working with a receiver corps of 4th and 5th stringers...

Even Angelo V would have been pissed if he had to throw to Darvin Adams in his flag football games

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/13/argos-ray-gets-cfl-east-award-nom

[Wobbler]

I'd say:

MOP: Elimimian
Defensive: Elimimian
Canadian: Cornish
OL: Jones
Teams: Waters
Rookie: McCoil

Despite great stats, Ray had a losing season whereas Elimimian set a CFL tackle record. Waters is just plain better than (very good) Hajrullahu. Okpalaugo had a terrific year but I think McCoil was a bit more consistent (and multifaceted).

[gilthethrill]

I find it odd that Montreals fine OT Jeff Parrett was not deemed good enough to make the Eastern All-Star team, but yet he could very well wind up winning the leagues top lineman!


For the second year in a row...

He earned it working with a receiver corps of 4th and 5th stringers...

Even Angelo V would have been pissed if he had to throw to Darvin Adams in his flag football games

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/11/13/argos-ray-gets-cfl-east-award-nom


Angelo would make Adams look like a star!

[paulwoods13]

I find it odd that Montreals fine OT Jeff Parrett was not deemed good enough to make the Eastern All-Star team, but yet he could very well wind up winning the leagues top lineman!

All-star voting should be looked at and revised. Every year there are two running backs selected despite the fact that no team has featured two running backs since the late 1970s, and running has not been a major part of CFL offences for most of that period. It's tantamount to the NHL all-stars featuring two goalies. The FRC should select three slot receivers, two wideouts and a single RB since that is how every team lines up 90% of the time. This would have avoided the nonsense of Grigsby being selected an Eastern all-star (altho he should not even have been eligible, IMO).

As for Ricky, I love the guy but Elimimian deserves to win, IMO. Ricky had a good year but was not nearly as good as he was last year (albeit he missed the better part of eight games last year). His TD-to-INT ratio last year was 10-to-1 in 2013, this year it was less than 2-to-1.

[AngeloV]

I really don't care about any individual awards anymore. At the end of the day, they are meaningless, as we have seen award winners one year getting cut the next.

[ArgoRavi]

I really don't care about any individual awards anymore. At the end of the day, they are meaningless, as we have seen award winners one year getting cut the next.

I used to care about the individual awards and get worked up over them but not anymore. It is nice to see the Argos dominate the East player awards but I would much rather see them win the Grey Cup which, sadly, they have no chance at this year. Still though, when was the last time that the Argos had three East MOP award winners in a row?

[Wobbler]

I think the awards are pretty important. They are an incentive for players, marketing material for teams (and the league), and help to sustain the involvement of fans from sad-sack cities that aren't represented in the playoffs.

[argos1873]

I think the awards are pretty important. They are an incentive for players, marketing material for teams (and the league), and help to sustain the involvement of fans from sad-sack cities that aren't represented in the playoffs.

Of course they are important. They just aren't important enough to get upset over. Unless they are important to you.

[Argo57]

Considering all the issues with the Argonaut receiving corps Ray had a good season, however his overall level of play slipped from 2013, doesn't strike me as an MVP type year.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

I'm somewhat surprised to learn that Solomon Elimimian is the first defensive player to be a finalist for the MVP. I think he's going to win it over Ricky but either choice would be fine with me.

[Invader]

I'm somewhat surprised to learn that Solomon Elimimian is the first defensive player to be a finalist for the MVP. I think he's going to win it over Ricky but either choice would be fine with me.
It appears the CFL jumped the gun on Thursday when it announced B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian was the first defensive player in the league to be named the most outstanding player in his division.


It turns out the feat was accomplished twice before...First, by Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Garney Henley in 1963 — though he went on to also play offence during his Hall of Fame career — and then by Ottawa Rough Riders linebacker Angelo Snipes in 1992. For what it’s worth, Elimimian is still the first defensive player to come out of the West Division with the MOP nomination.

[OV Argo]

All-star voting should be looked at and revised. Every year there are two running backs selected despite the fact that no team has featured two running backs since the late 1970s, and running has not been a major part of CFL offences for most of that period. It's tantamount to the NHL all-stars featuring two goalies. The FRC should select three slot receivers, two wideouts and a single RB since that is how every team lines up 90% of the time. This would have avoided the nonsense of Grigsby being selected an Eastern all-star (altho he should not even have been eligible, IMO).

As for Ricky, I love the guy but Elimimian deserves to win, IMO. Ricky had a good year but was not nearly as good as he was last year (albeit he missed the better part of eight games last year). His TD-to-INT ratio last year was 10-to-1 in 2013, this year it was less than 2-to-1.

I've been harping on that point about 2 all-star RBs for years now Paul,

So often there are questionable selections to any all-star teams, but the CFL seems to feature too many odd selections. it\s a matter of opinion anyways i guess, and voters often seem to go by just stats (Bear Woods making East all-star at LB is a total joke IMO - most over-rated player in the league maybe and weakest starting MLB in the East or maybe the whole league - whatever though)

[1argoholic]

The awards are a fun tradition and that's about it. Ray did more with very little but I don't expect him to win. Waters was great all year and should take it. McCoil I expect will take Rookie and then be gone to the NFL because isn't that how it works. Perhaps guys want to stay in Edmonton because the organization is run well.

[Wobbler]

I'd say:

MOP: Elimimian
Defensive: Elimimian
Canadian: Cornish
OL: Jones
Teams: Waters
Rookie: McCoil

Despite great stats, Ray had a losing season whereas Elimimian set a CFL tackle record. Waters is just plain better than (very good) Hajrullahu. Okpalaugo had a terrific year but I think McCoil was a bit more consistent (and multifaceted).
Good job, Wobbler. You're a pretty smart guy!

[Bleeds Double Blue]

Well done Wobbler. Don't suppose you'd like to take a crack at the Lotto Max numbers for me?