BC Lions slotback Geroy Simon is just one of nine nominees named Thursday for the Canadian Football League's outstanding player award.
The veteran receiver earned the nod as the Lions' outstanding player with his 77 receptions for 1,219 yards and six touchdowns heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Simon's receiving numbers place him second in the league among all receivers.
Simon, the 2006 CFL Most Outstanding Player, continues to be one of the league's most dangerous playmakers as he has posted his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Calgary Stampeders running back Joffrey Reynolds, Saskatchewan quarterback Damian Durant and Edmonton slotback Fred Stamps are up for the honour in the West.
Reynolds has run for 1,389 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo is also among the team nominees named Thursday.
Calvillo, who won the award last year, is up against Hamilton receiver Arland Bruce III, Toronto running back Jamal Robertson and Winnipeg cornerback Jovon Johnson in the East.
Calvillo has completed 72 per cent of his passes for 4,639 yards with 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown and Toronto linebacker Kevin Eiben (outstanding defensive player, outstanding Canadian) and Edmonton guard Patrick Kabongo (outstanding offensive lineman, outstanding Canadian) are the only multiple nominees.
Also up for outstanding Canadian are: Ricky Foley (B.C.); Dimitri Tsoumpas (Calgary); Marwan Hage (Hamilton); Ben Cahoon (Montreal); and Rob Bagg (Saskatchewan).
Foley replaced the departed Cam Wake and picked up where he left off, recording a league-high 12 sacks so far.
The other outstanding defensive player nominees are: Korey Banks (B.C.); Dwight Anderson (Calgary); Kai Ellis (Edmonton); Markeith Knowlton (Hamilton); Anwar Stewart (Montreal); and John Chick (Saskatchewan).
The candidates for outstanding special teams player are: Jason Arakgi (B.C.); Sandro DeAngelis (Calgary); Tristan Jackson (Edmonton); Dylan Barker (Hamilton); Larry Taylor (Montreal); Jason Armstead (Saskatchewan); Justin Medlock (Toronto); and Johnson (Winnipeg).
The outstanding rookie nominees include: Martell Mallett (B.C.); Malik Jackson (Calgary); Arkee Whitlock (Edmonton); Marquay McDaniel (Hamilton); Jerald Brown (Montreal); Jerrell Freeman (Saskatchewan); Lin-J Shell (Toronto); and Jonathan Hefney (Winnipeg).
The other outstanding offensive lineman nominees are: Sherko Haji-Rasouli (B.C.); Ben Archibald (Calgary); Marwan Hage (Hamilton); Scott Flory (Montreal); Gene Makowsky (Saskatchewan); Taylor Robertson (Toronto); and Brendan LaBatte (Winnipeg).
The players were chosen by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league's head coaches.
- With files from The Canadian Press
