While there are certain oxymoronic challenges in selecting “most outstanding” performances on a team that started 0-8 (and will finish no better than 6-12), there are certainly some Hamilton Tiger-Cats who deserve some recognition for their 2017 season.
Ballots went out late last week to the six members of the local media who, with head coach June Jones, will pick the award winners. They were picked by the chapter chair of the Football Reporters of Canada (that’d be me) and include Steve Milton from The Spectator, the TSN radio crew of Marshall Ferguson and John Salavantis, 3DownNation contributor Josh Smith and Ticats’ Today radio host Louis Butko.
The team award winners will be announced Wednesday and go on to compete at the East Division level, while the CFL award winners are named Grey Cup week.
Here’s who I selected from the Ticats and why, along with the pick’s from 3Down’s Josh Smith:
Most Outstanding Player: Larry Dean, linebacker
This award is normally won by an offensive player, and while the Ticats got some solid season-long performances from receivers Luke Tasker and Jalen Saunders (both cracked 1,000 yards), the pair with recent headlines, QB Jeremiah Masoli and receiver Brandon Banks, didn’t get starting jobs until Labour Day. As good as they’ve been – Banks’ numbers extended over a full season are spectacular – the season is 18 games long.
That leaves two defensive players in the running, Dean and rookie defensive back Richard Leonard. While the defence struggled in the early going (and in Friday’s 41-36 loss to Ottawa) they’ve put up excellent numbers. Dean has played in every game and is fifth in the league with 93 tackles. And he could become the first Ticat with over 100 takedowns since Jamall Johnson did it in 2010. He also has three forced fumbles.
Leonard has five interceptions, tied for second in the CFL, and leads the CFL with 12 pass knock-downs. He’s also the only Tiger-Cat defensive back to start all 17 games this season.
Josh’s take:  Larry Dean. It came down to Dean vs. Brandon Banks, and while Brandon Banks has been beyond spectacular the last nine games, Dean has excelled all season and I feel that should be rewarded.
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Larry Dean, linebacker
Well, if Dean and Leonard get the nod for MOP, it only makes sense that they’d also be the top candidates for defensive honours. So let’s take a minute to look at some honourable mentions.
Canadian defensive end Justin Capicciotti has seven sacks, tied with several others for third in the CFL; and he is tied for first among national players, to go along with 39 tackles. Linebacker Simoni Lawrence had a quiet start to the season as he played through injury, but he now has 61 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles in another solid all-round year.
Josh’s take: Larry Dean. My pick as the team’s best overall player would obviously be my pick as the team’s best defensive player.
Most Outstanding Canadian Player: Ryan Bomben
Now in his seventh season, Bomben has been the anchor on an offensive line that struggled early on, then played much better after the coaching change. He’s physical and mobile, often getting downfield to make an extra block against the second level. Capicciotti has had a strong season as well.
Bomben’s partners on the interior, centre Mike Filer and left guard Brandon Revenberg, also deserve some consideration. Filer, in particular, should get some consideration as an East Division all-star at his position.
Josh’s take: Justin Capicciotti. Capicciotti is fifth on the team in total tackles and tied for first in sacks. He also has the most sacks by a Canadian player in 2017. After a down year in 2016, Capicciotti has reemerged as one of the league’s finest Canadian players.
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Ryan Bomben
Like Dean, Bomben should double up on his award take, with Revenberg and Filer part of the conversation. Offensive tackles Tony Washington and Ryker Mathews have been excellent, but have only made 11 and seven starts respectively.
Mathews, who is under contract for 2018, could be a strong candidate if he continues his strong play over the course of next season.
Josh’s take: Ryan Bomben. It is always tough to pick this award, but while Hamilton has seen stellar play from their two tackles recently, Bomben has been a consistent presence all year and you never hear his name called. That, to me, is the mark of a great offensive lineman.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Sergio Castillo, left, celebrates after kicking a field goal as B.C. Lions’ Craig Roh walks to the sideline during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday September 22, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Sergio Castillo
Poor Sergio Castillo. After finally winning a starting job after several seasons on the fringes – and making the most of it – he tore his ACL on Oct. 6 while chasing down one of his rare missed field goals. Still, his performance over 14 games – 29 of 34 (85.3 per cent) of field goals and a 44.9 yard punting average – should be enough to earn him the team’s special teams award.
Canadian Jay Langa leads the team with 22 special teams tackles (fifth in the CFL) and gets the second-place vote.
Josh’s take: Sergio Castillo. Season-ending injury be damned, Castillo was sensational over the first 12 games of the year and more than earned this honour. Hamilton has a couple young players who have excelled in coverage, Jay Langa and Connor McGough come to mind, but Castillo deserved this before he got hurt and still deserves it today.
Most Outstanding Rookie: Richard Leonard
Leonard has an excellent shot to be the East nominee for this award, and the Ticats have a number of other players who had a strong first season.
They include Canadian defensive tackle Justin Vaughn, who has played in every game this season and seen playing time as a rotational player. A fifth-round draft pick in 2017, his 11 defensive tackles and two sacks bode well for the future.
Fourth overall pick Connor McGough was tenth in the CFL with 18 special teams tackles and also recorded three defensive tackles in limited action.
Josh’s take: Richard Leonard. Maybe the only no-brainer pick of the bunch. Leonard has started every game for the Ticats and has been one of their best defensive players, not just for a rookie. Leonard has a real shot at taking the East nomination and perhaps even the league award.
