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November 1, 2017

Elimimian headlines list of Lions’ CFL Team Award Winners

Although the Grey Cup aspirations have come to an end for 2017, a few members of the BC Lions will still have a chance to walk away with some hardware at the end of November. On Wednesday morning, the CFL announced each club’s nominees for the league’s Most Outstanding Player Awards. As seen below, two Lions are in the running in multiple categories.

From here, each award category will be narrowed down to one nominee for both the Eastern and Western Division. The final winners will be announced at the CFL Most Outstanding Awards gala on Thursday, November 23rd as part of the 105th Grey Cup festivities in Ottawa.

CFL Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award: Solomon Elimimian

Once again, the stout linebacker leads the CFL with 133 tackles; currently 12 ahead of second place Alex Singleton of Calgary. Week in and week out, Elimimian has proven to be one of the league’s most elite and physical defenders. In 2014, he became the first pure defensive player to win the CFL MOP Award and is looking to win his third Most Outstanding Defensive Player nod, also taking it in 2014 and 2016. Last year’s win was impressive, considering he was coming off the devastating Achilles injury the previous season.

Bake’s Take

What can you say? At age 31, Elimimian has shown little signs of slowing down from the elite force he has been on this defence for nearly a decade. He should be the clear cut favourite to walk away with a third defensive award in four years, and with all due respect to Singleton, it would be shocking if he was not the division nominee. And how about this for something to watch for? Elimimian needs 11 defensive tackles on Saturday to break his own single-season mark of 143.

CFL Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Award: Ty Long

One of the club’s biggest question marks going into the season was on special teams, where Long went from a relative unknown in training camp to being at or near the top of the league in punting yards/average for much of the season. The high school teammate of incumbent Lions’ kicker Richie Leone also became quite reliable on field goals. Heading into Saturday’s the regular season finale, Long has made good on 18 consecutive attempts. Overall this season, he has hit 25 of 26 attempts from inside the 40-yard line.

Bake’s Take

It may have seemed risky to stick with Long over veteran Swayze Waters. But boy, did the move ever pay off? The success on field goals is one thing, but Long also got better at directional punting as the season went on. It’s a credit to Wally Buono, special teams co-ordinator Marcello Simmons and kicking consultant Don Sweet for getting the University of Alabama-Birmingham product accustomed to the CFL game. Long snapper Mike Benson also proved to be a good on field mentor for him in year one. When Waters was a late injury scratch for the first pre-season game in Calgary, Long took his opportunity and, after some early growing pains, ran with it.

CFL Most Outstanding Canadian Award: Shaq Johnson

A breakthrough campaign for Johnson has earned him the Leos’ Outstanding Canadian nod.  It has been a smooth transition into a starting role for the London (Ont.) Juniors product, as he has recorded 29 catches for 512 yards and two touchdowns. His first career major came in front of family and friends in a victory at Hamilton on July 15th.

Bake’s Take

We started to see glimpses of the high hopes super scout Geroy Simon has had for this player since he was drafted in 2016. Although not targeted that much at times, Johnson’s blocking ability proved to be valuable for the offence in various stretches. With the pending retirement of Marco Iannuzzi, look for Shaq to have an increased role as the club continues its quest for a next great Canadian receiving target.

CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award: Cody Husband

And last, but certainly not least, Husband gets the team nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. The New Westminster native has not regressed in his second year as the starting centre, helping the ground attack average 95.8 rushing yards per game. They have consistently been in the top third of the league in total rushing yards this season. Husband has also played a big role with his leadership.

Bake’s Take

The offensive line took its’ share of criticism early on, but you just saw on Saturday in Winnipeg what they are capable of doing. Husband has been a big part of that and presents a very viable option at the centre position going forward. He will be counted on to continue to help the likes of David Foucault and 2016 first round pick Charles Vaillancourt develop into what the organization expects them to be.

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com