Calvillo, Bruce among those on CFL top player list

CFL clubs submitted their picks Thursday for consideration for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award, a list that included perennial nominee Anthony Calvillo as well as Arland Bruce, cast off early in the season.

Montreal quarterback Calvillo leads in nearly all performance measures. He’s thrown 26 touchdown, just six interceptions, and has a quarterback rating of 108.

Calvillo has spread the ball around, with Ben Cahoon and Jamel Richardson 1-2 in the CFL in terms of receptions, and Kerry Watkins fifth.

The 37-year-old Calvillo can win the award for a second consecutive time and third time overall.

Wide receiver Bruce was jettisoned from Toronto for discipline issues but has fit right in with Hamilton. He is third in the CFL with 82 catches and tied for second with nine touchdown receptions.

The list also includes the two leading pass catchers from the West. Fred Stamps of the Edmonton Eskimos has caught 79 passes and leads the league with 1,300 receiving yards, with Geroy Simon of the B.C. Lions not far behind with 77 receptions and 1,219 yards.

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 West Division.

“It was kind of a surprise, but I really don’t look too forward because all I want to do is win,” Stamps said. “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.”

Calgary is represented by Joffrey Reynolds. The running back is on pace for a second consecutive CFL rushing title, with 1,397 yards rushing.

Rounding out the names are Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant, Toronto running back Jamal Robertson, and Winnipeg return specialist and defensive back Jovon Johnson.

CFL clubs also put forth their picks for best defensive and special teams player, offensive lineman, and top Canadian and rookie.

The award nominees will be pared down to one representative each from East and West, to be announced on Nov. 12.

The players were selected by CFL head coaches and voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada.

The other categories are as follows:

Most Outstanding Defensive Player

Most Outstanding Rookie

Special Teams Player

Outstanding lineman