Montreal, Nov. 12, 2009 – The Canadian Football League announced today the identities of the East Division’s Most Outstanding Players for the 2009 season with the Alouettes winning in five of six categories.
Most Outstanding Player: Anthony Calvillo (5th selection) The CFL’s top player in 2003 and 2008, and a finalist for that honour in 2002 and 2004, this is Calvillo’s fifth selection as the East Division’s best player. He totalled 4,639 passing yards in 2009, leading the CFL with a 72 per cent completion rate, 26 touchdown passes, a quarterback rating of 108.4 and the fewest interceptions with six. He was named an East Division All-Star earlier this week.
West winner: Joffrey Reynolds (CGY) |
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Most Outstanding Canadian Player: Ben Cahoon (4th selection) West winner: Ricky Foley (BC) |
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Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Scott Flory (5th selection) West winner: Ben Archibald (CGY) |
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Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Anwar Stewart (2nd selection) West winner: John Chick (SSK) |
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Larry Taylor (1st selection) The Alouettes’ top rookie and special teamer last year, Taylor continued his dominance on kick and punt runbacks, lighting up the league for 788 yards and a pair of majors on 89 punt returns this season. He also had 1,059 yards on 51 kickoff returns and 124 yards and a touchdown on missed field goal returns. He was named an East Division All-Star for the first time earlier this week.
West winner: Jason Arakgi (BC) |
Cahoon caught 89 passes this year for 1,031 and a pair of touchdowns as he broke the 1,000-yards barrier for an eight-straight season, the ninth in his career. He moved into fourth place in CFL history for most receptions and sixth for most receiving yards, passing Don Narcisse on both accounts. The league’s 2002 and 2003 top Canadian, he was also nominated for this award last season. He was named an East Division All-Star earlier this week.
The league’s defending top offensive lineman, Flory was the East Division’s nominee in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008. Long known as the leader of the Als’ O-line, he was a CFL All-Star in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and earlier this week was chosen an East Division All-Star for the eighth-straight year.
The league’s top defensive player in 2004, Stewart had one of the best seasons of his career in 2009 with 38 tackles, nine sacks, two tackles for losses, four forced fumbles and five knockdowns. The leader of the Als’ dominant defence set a team record with his 53rd career sack this season and was named an East Division All-Star earlier this week. He was also the Als’ top defensive player in 2006.
