11 Argos named East All-Stars
November 1, 2006 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release
Mississauga - The 2006 East Division All-Star team has been announced, and eleven Toronto Argonauts have been named on offence, defence and special teams. Division all-stars are selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada. The Argos have the most division all-stars from one team in the League.
The following Argo players have been named 2006 East Division All-Stars:
Offence
SB Arland Bruce III*
OG Jude St. John
OT Bernard Williams
OT Jerome Davis
Defence
DE Jonathan Brown
LB Kevin Eiben
DB Kenny Wheaton
CB Byron Parker*
CB Jordan Younger
S Orlondo Steinauer
Special Teams
P Noel Prefontaine
* indicates unanimous selection
This marks the second straight season that SB Arland Bruce III has been named to the East Division All-Star team. He is Argos' big-play, go-to guy and the only receiver in the Argo lineup to play every game this season. A fan favourite who captures everyone's imagination, Bruce achieved his second consecutive 1,000 yard campaign. The Argos' Most Outstanding Player in 2006 also leads the team in scoring for the second season in a row, and is the second most prolific touchdown threat in the East.
OG Jude St. John has been named to the East Division All-Star team for the third time in his career, and the second straight season. St. John missed one game early this season and his absence reinforced the importance of the Canadian veteran's presence. The Argos' running game has found wide open holes on the left side of the line most of the year and it was Jude's open field block that sprung his receiver and pushed Damon Allen's career passing total over 70,000 yards at Rogers Centre.
Left tackle Bernard Williams has been a force on his quarterback's blind side this season, and he has now been named an East All-Star in back-to-back seasons. Williams was a tough competitor all season, securing the off-tackle lane for running backs Ricky Williams and John Avery.
For first time in his career, OT Jerome Davis has earned the all-star nod. Davis, who was converted to the offensive line from defensive end just four seasons ago, has excelled while anchoring the right side of the Argos' line. He was outstanding in short yardage situations all season, and adjusted well to the Boatmen's new commitment to the run.
DE Jonathan Brown finished first on the team in sacks (6) for the second straight season and second on the team in tackles for a loss (3). One of the most energetic Argos, this 2005 CFL All-Star never quits and has quickly developed into a team leader. He was key component in the nation's number one pass defence, putting immeasurable pressure on the opposing quarterback whenever he was on the field.
Already one of the best Canadian players in the League, LB Kevin Eiben has proven for the past several years that he is also one of the best defensive players in the East. For the third consecutive season, Eiben has earned an East all-star nomination as one of the top tacklers in the CFL.
DB Kenny Wheaton led all defensive backs in the CFL in tackles this season (82) and is renowned as one of the hardest hitting players in the league. He recorded two interceptions this season and has been named an East Division All-Star for the second consecutive season.
The athletic and acrobatic CB Byron Parker has been brilliant since re-joining the Argonauts. He is the Club's third leading scorer, behind only Noel Prefontaine and Arland Bruce, and is second in the league in interceptions with eight. He has four touchdowns and was named CFL Defensive Player of the Week three times. Byron set a new CFL record for interception return yards in a season with 348 and now holds two single-season Argonauts records for interception returns (most yards, 348, and most touchdowns, 4) and three Argonauts single-game interception return records (most touchdowns in a game, 2, most touchdowns in a quarter, 2, and most yards in a game, 135). This is Byron's first East Division All-Star nod.
CB Jordan Younger has speed, agility and toughness - all of the elements which comprise the best corners in the world. Younger finished second on the team in interceptions (6), the fifth most in the league, and returned his first interception for a touchdown earlier in the season. This is the second straight East Division All-Star nomination for the third year Argo.
Safety Orlondo Steinauer has arguably been the most consistent and skilled player for the Argonauts defence over the past several seasons. The General of the secondary, Steinauer has played an outstanding season while finishing fourth on the team in tackles (62) and recording an interception. This is the fifth time in his career that Steinauer has been named to the CFL all-star team.
Potentially the most athletically gifted player on the Argo roster, K/P Noel Prefontaine leads the CFL in punting average (46.3 yards/kick) while punting more times than any other player in the league (137). This is the fifth consecutive season that Prefontaine has been recognized as the best punter in the East Division and the eighth time in his career.
The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, having celebrated their 130th anniversary in 2003. The Toronto Argonauts have 15 Grey Cup championships to their credit. For more information on 2007 season ticket packages, group sales and mini-packs, please contact the sales team at (416) 341-ARGO. Full roster details are available at www.argonauts.ca.
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