Three Stars: Jamar Wall, Eric Fraser and S.J. Green lead the list in Week 17
Here's another installment in our weekly Three Stars series, examining Week 17's top offensive, defensive, special teams and Canadian players.
First star/special teams player of the week: Jamar Wall, defensive back, Calgary Stampeders: It's unusual to see a special-teams cover player in this top spot, but Wall made arguably the best play in the CFL this week in Friday night's win over Edmonton, blocking a Grant Shaw punt, recovering it and taking it in for a crucial touchdown. That gave the Stampeders a 20-3 lead and was an important part of their eventual 27-13 win. Wall, a second-year player out of Texas Tech, is quickly becoming a vital player for Calgary, recording four interceptions and 39 tackles so far this season. He's also making a substantial impact on special teams, as this play showed.
(Honourable mentions: Swayze Waters, P/K, Toronto; Stefan Logan, PR/KR, B.C.; Rene Paredes, K, Calgary.)
Second star/defensive player of the week: Eric Fraser, defensive back, Calgary Stampeders: Fraser also shone in Calgary's victory over Edmonton Friday, coming up with a sack, a critical interception and four tackles on the night. The fourth-year Central Michigan product has become a key part of the Calgary defence this season.
(Honourable mentions: Chip Cox, LB, Montreal; Adam Bighill, LB, B.C.; Robert McCune, LB, Toronto.)
Third star/offensive player of the week: S.J. Green, slotback, Montreal Alouettes: Green delivered a great showing Sunday against Hamilton, hauling in five catches for 86 yards and two touchdowns. The seventh-year man out of South Florida is having another exceptional season, recording 71 catches so far for 984 yards. He's on pace for his third-straight 1,000 yard season, and he's also recorded 10 touchdowns on the year, which ties his career-best number from 2010.
(Honourable mentions: Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary; Kory Sheets, RB, Saskatchewan; Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Winnipeg.)
Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Eric Fraser, defensive back, Calgary: Fraser has been a big factor in the Stampeders' league-best 13-3 record, and he's been very good over the last few weeks. We'll see if he can keep that up as the playoffs approach.
(Honourable mentions: Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary; Craig Butler, DB, Saskatchewan; Shea Emry, LB, Montreal.)
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