(Vancouver) This morning, local chapters of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) have named their nominees for the Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards. In this first ballot, FRC representatives from each CFL city plus the respective head coach submitted votes for the six categories. Voters were asked to select players from their local CFL club who through on-field performance excellence, best represent the five award catagories: Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, Most Outstanding Rookie, and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.Veteran slotback Geroy Simon earns the nod as the Lions' Outstanding Player with his 77 receptions for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns to date - good enough to rank second in the league. The 2006 CFL Most Outstanding Player and one of the CFL's most dangerous offensive weapons has posted his seventh straight 1,000-yard season including six games of 100 yards or more, despite having to battle through constant double and triple coverage.
Halfback Korey Banks gets the vote as the Lions' Outstanding Defensive Player with his 53 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in the 2009 campaign. The gifted defender was recognized as the league's outstanding defensive player for Week 12 and ranks second only to teammate Barron Miles for interceptions on the club, including a nifty 41-yard grab versus the Argonauts on September 19th.
Defensive lineman Ricky Foley picks up the selection as the club's Outstanding Canadian Player. In just his first season starting at the rush end position, the fourth-year Lion has terrorized opposing defenses to the tune of 12 sacks and 47 defensive tackles so far, earning him CFL Defensive Player of the Month kudos for September. Despite suffering a broken thumb in Week 15, the league's sack leader continues to maintain his consistent statistical output, recording 11 tackles and a sack over the past three games.
Sherko Haji-Rasouli gets his first nomination as the Lions' Outstanding Lineman after helping anchor the line from his right guard position. Haji-Rasouli, in tandem with fellow veterans Angus Reid and Jason Jimenez, head up one of the CFL's most intimidating offensive lines and have powered the Lions to rank second only to Montreal in passing TD's on the season (27).
Bruising running back Martell Mallett takes home the nomination as the club's Outstanding Rookie after racking up 1,171 yards and five TD's on 202 carries to date, despite sitting out Weeks 17 and 18 due to a lingering foot injury. The versatile Pine Bluff, Arkansas native has also notched 40 receptions for 316 yards and two TD's. After arriving on the scene in Week 1, the 'Hammer' immediately made an impact in his first season as a Leo, including a 21-carry, 213-yard performance versus the East Division powerhouse Montreal Alouettes in Week 10, earning him the nod as the league's outstanding offensive player.
Jason Arakgi is a unanimous choice for the club's Outstanding Special Teams Player. Currently leading the CFL in special teams tackles with 35, the speedy sophomore is on pace to set a new league record for season totals in that category, despite sitting out Week 17 due to a pulled quad muscle.
The East and West nominees for the 2009 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards will be announced on Thursday, November 12, 2009. League-wide winners will be announced during Grey Cup week at the Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards on Thursday, November 26 at the TELUS Convention Centre in Calgary.
The next BC Lions home is on Friday, November 6th at 7:00 pm versus the Edmonton Eskimos. Catch all the action live on the TALK 1040 - Friday's pregame show begins at 6:00 pm. Follow the Lions daily on Twitter throughout the 2009 season! For more information on the BC Lions Football Club, please visit our website at bclions.com.
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