Eskimos' 2011 Gibson's Finest Player Award Outstanding Player Nominees Announced
Published on November 2, 2011 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Edmonton Elks News Release
( Edmonton ) For the fifth time in his career, Eskimo quarterback Ricky Ray is the club's nominee for the CFL's Most Outstanding Player. Through Week #17 of the season, the 9 year veteran has passed for 4,289 yds and 22 touchdowns, third best in the CFL. Ray has gone over the 4000+ yds passing mark six times in his career.
Previously, he was Edmonton 's Outstanding Player nominee in 2003, '05, '06 and '08.
Running back Jerome Messam was a unanimous choice as Edmonton 's Outstanding Canadian. Acquired from BC during training camp, the sophomore CFL'er has emerged as one of the league's brightest young stars. The Toronto native is Edmonton 's leading rusher and third overall in the CFL with 981 yards and 6 touchdowns. He enters the final week of the regular season just 19 yards shy of the 1000 yard rushing mark. The last Canadian to run for 1000+ yards in a season was BC's Sean Millington (1010 yds) in 2000. Messam has been honoured five times this year with the CFL's weekly top Canadian award and was named the CFL Canadian Player of the Month in July.
Edmonton 's nominee for Outstanding Defensive Player is third year linebacker Rod Davis, who's a leader on a defence that's surrendered a league low 381 points through 17 weeks. Davis has a team best 75 defensive tackles, three forced fumbles and five sacks.
First year linebacker J.C. Sherritt was a unanimous selection as the club's Outstanding Rookie. The Eastern Washington product served notice of his talent with 11 defensive tackles in his CFL debut. Through 16 games this season, Sherritt has 72 defensive tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and 13 special teams tackles.
With 22 tackles to his credit, Edmonton native Corbin Sharun is the Esks' nominee for Outstanding Special Teams Player. A 6th round selection (43 overall) in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft, Sharun is a big reason for Edmonton 's improved teams play this season.
While limited to 13 games by injury and forced to shift between the guard and tackle spots, Greg Wojt has earned the nomination as Edmonton 's Outstanding Offensive Lineman this year with his consistent play and versatility. Now in his third season, Wojt attended Central Michigan and was Edmonton 's first selection (11th overall) in the 2008 CFL Canadian Draft
The players were selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada ( FRC ) and the CFL head coaches. In this first ballot, FRC representatives from each CFL city plus the respective head coach submitted votes for the six categories.
The East and West nominees for the 2011 Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards will be announced on Wednesday, November 9 at Noon ET. The winners will be announced during Grey Cup week at the Gibson's Finest CFL Player Awards on Thursday, November 24 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
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