With CFL awards voting set to begin shortly, 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk has talked with football people across the country to get their thoughts on the top candidates. Up next, Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
Other awards:
Most Outstanding Canadian
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Most Outstanding Lineman
Special teams are often viewed as the least important phase in the Canadian game, but many games are won and lost in the important area.
Nine men have taken punts or kicks back for touchdowns and one kicker is making field goals at more than a 90 per cent rate. There is a player running away with the special teams tackle lead, which is an unsung category and should get more attention.
Roy Finch paces the CFL with three touchdowns in the return game. Three rookies have two punt return touchdowns in 2017, Argos’ Martese Jackson, Riders’ Christion Jones and Stampeders’ Tunde Adeleke. If the blown #WhatAboutKaren call went the proper way Jackson would be tied for the league lead in return touchdowns. Diontae Spencer, Brandon Banks, Kevin Fogg, Maurice Leggett and Ryan Lankford are the others to hit the end zone after hauling in punts or kicks.
Calgary kicker Rene Paredes leads the league in field goals made (50) and percentage (90.9). The Canadian has made many key three-pointers to help the Stamps secure the best record.
Meanwhile Keelan Johnson, Ottawa’s second-year defensive back, really has excelled on cover teams with a league-high 28 tackles. An underrated area that impacts field position immensely.
Barring a late-season surge from Jackson or Spencer, Finch should be outstanding in the special teams category. The pint-sized returner leads the CFL in punt return yards (1,160), average per punt return (16.8) and kick-off return average (26.0). Just like Finch has done in 2017 he should run away from his competitors and claim the prize.
