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Outstanding year for Calvillo

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo is among the team nominees named Thursday for the Canadian Football League’s outstanding player award.
Anthony Calvillo
Montreal Alouettes' quarterback Anthony Calvillo.

TORONTO — Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo is among the team nominees named Thursday for the Canadian Football League’s outstanding player award.

Calvillo, who won the award last year, is up against Hamilton receiver Arland Bruce III, Toronto running back Jamal Robertson and Winnipeg cornerback Jovon Johnson in the East.

Calvillo has completed 72 per cent of his passes for 4,639 yards with 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Calgary Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds, Lions receiver Geroy Simon, Saskatchewan quarterback Damian Durant and Edmonton slotback Fred Stamps are up for the honour in the West.

Stamps said his nomination won’t mean much if they lose to the Lions on Friday, with the winner claiming the final playoff berth in the CFL’s West Division.

“It was kind of a surprise but I really don’t look too forward because all I want to do is win. It really don’t matter about outstanding player because if we end up losing on Friday or Winnipeg wins, we’re going home on Monday so it really don’t matter.”

Reynolds has run for 1,389 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown and Toronto linebacker Kevin Eiben (outstanding defensive player, outstanding Canadian) and Edmonton guard Patrick Kabongo (outstanding offensive lineman, outstanding Canadian) are the only multiple nominees.

Eiben said that’s little solace with his 3-14 Argos on the verge of heading home.

“It would be great to get into the playoffs and have a chance to go to the Grey Cup,” said Eiben. “Individual honours are nice but I play football the same week every week. I go out there, I fly around and enjoy playing the game with my friends. The worst part is we’re not going to be able to continue on into the playoffs when it really gets fun and exciting.”

Also up for outstanding Canadian are: Ricky Foley (B.C.); Dimitri Tsoumpas (Calgary); Marwan Hage (Hamilton); Ben Cahoon (Montreal); and Rob Bagg (Saskatchewan).

Foley replaced the departed Cam Wake and picked up where he left off, recording a league-high 12 sacks so far.

The other outstanding defensive player nominees are: Korey Banks (B.C.); Dwight Anderson (Calgary); Kai Ellis (Edmonton); Markeith Knowlton (Hamilton); Anwar Stewart (Montreal); and John Chick (Saskatchewan).

The candidates for outstanding special teams player are: Jason Arakgi (B.C.); Sandro DeAngelis (Calgary); Tristan Jackson (Edmonton); Dylan Barker (Hamilton); Larry Taylor (Montreal); Jason Armstead (Saskatchewan); Justin Medlock (Toronto); and Johnson (Winnipeg).

Argos head coach Bart Andrus says Medlock may have done enough to warrant a second chance in the NFL.

“I think he’s an excellent kicker who does a lot of things well,” said Andrus. “Those spots are few and far between. If there’s a place where there’s a guy that is up and down on the bubble, he may have an opportunity. I don’t know. We would love to have him here obviously.”

The outstanding rookie nominees include: Martell Mallett (B.C.); Malik Jackson (Calgary); Arkee Whitlock (Edmonton); Marquay McDaniel (Hamilton); Jerald Brown (Montreal); Jerrell Freeman (Saskatchewan); Lin-J Shell (Toronto); and Jonathan Hefney (Winnipeg).

The other outstanding offensive lineman nominees are: Sherko Haji-Rasouli (B.C.); Ben Archibald (Calgary); Marwan Hage (Hamilton); Scott Flory (Montreal); Gene Makowsky (Saskatchewan); Taylor Robertson (Toronto); and Brendan LaBatte (Winnipeg).

The players were chosen by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.