Each week CFL.ca’s Jaime Stein and Mitch Ward will debate a current issue in the CFL. This week they make their picks for East and West defensive all-stars. First up is the East Division defensive all-stars which will be followed up tomorrow by the West Division defensive all-stars. Read their picks and then let us know which picks you agree or disagree with.
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STEIN’S PICKS |
WARD’S PICKS |
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| DT: | Kevin Huntley (TOR) – Huntley literally provides a massive inside presence for the Argonauts. He is long arms allow him to be a good run stopper while his speed – despite his size – makes him a threat to reach the quarterback. He leads all defensive tackles in quarterback sacks with nine. | Kevin Huntley (TOR) – Its usually the guys on the outside of the D-line that put up big sack numbers. But Kevin Huntley’s big presence at tackle has been a huge boost for the Argos. Huntley sits fourth in the league with nine sacks and is also a big reason why the Argos sit tied for the third best average against the run (5.7 yards per carry) |
| DT: | Doug Brown (WPG) – Brown doesn’t have the numbers that some of the other defensive tackles have put up, but he draws so much attention that he makes the players around him better. Plus, Winnipeg’s defence is tied with Calgary for the fewest average yards allowed per rush (5.5). | Jermaine McElveen (MTL) – A bit of a darkhorse due to a low tackle count McElveen has still been impressive with seven sacks from his spot at left tackle. He has also notched a pair of forced fumbles and three recoveries. |
| DE: | John Bowman (MTL) – The ultimate defensive end who keeps even the best offensive linemen on their toes because of his versatility. He is tied for first in the CFL with four forced fumbles in addition to his 11 quarterback sacks. | Phillip Hunt (WPG) – The CFL sack leader with 13, Hunt has been a beast for the Bombers dominating D-line this season. Hunt has been one of the main reasons the Bombers sit second in yards allowed per game. |
| DE: | Ronald Flemons (TOR) – Less heralded than the other defensive ends in the East, but he has the ability to do it all out on the field. In addition to his quarterback sacks, Flemons has four fumble recoveries for the Argos which may be a more important stat given the fact that turnovers often lead to wins. It is too bad most voters will remember him for his dropped TD gaffe in B.C. | Odell Willis (WPG) – The other half of the Bobmers dynamic defensive end duo Willis has flourished in his second CFL season. He is a bull for the Bomber pass rush and sits tied for second in the league with 11 sacks and is also tied for the league lead with four forced fumbles. |
| LB: | Jamall Johnson (HAM) – He is the anchor to a Tiger-Cat defence that has allowed only 30 touchdowns this season – only Calgary has allowed fewer. Hamilton’s front seven is vastly improved this year and it is the man in the middle, Johnson, who provides the support for all the developing stars around him. Plus, he is a tackling machine. | Kevin Eiben (TOR) – In his 10th year Eiben is still going strong for the Argos. Eiben sits second in the CFL with 85 tackles and is a veteran leader in the middle of the Argonauts defence. |
| LB: | Markeith Knowlton (HAM) – Usually I’m drawn to players with swagger, especially on offence. But on defence it is nice to see quiet assassins like Markeith Knowlton have success. He is the type of player that causes turnovers as his motor allows him to maneuver all over the field. Not to mention he has blocked a league high two punts. | Markeith Knowlton (HAM) – This guy just flat out makes plays. Be it tackles, sacks, interceptions, fumble recoveries, blocked punts Knowlton is never far from the ball. He is one of the most versatile linebackers in the league. |
| LB: | Chip Cox (MTL) – Chip Cox is a beast. He is in the top-10 in the league in tackles (66), he forces fumbles, he sacks quarterbacks and he intercepts passes. He has also scored a defensive touchdown in 2010. Essentially, he is one of the most versatile defensive players in the league. | Chip Cox (MTL) – Cox is a top contender for Most Outstanding Defensive Player this season and does virtually anything for the Als D. He leads the team in tackles, picks off passes, forces fumbles and even gets into the endzone. What more could you ask? |
| CB: | Mark Estelle (MTL) – Montreal has held teams to a league low 54.3 completion percentage and that is thanks in part to Mark Estelle. Because he has established himself as a shutdown corner teams have decided to test other parts of the Montreal secondary resulting in a slight dip in his stats in 2010. | Mark Estelle (MTL) – I almost didn’t pick him solely because of the way Nik Lewis dumped him two weeks ago. You can’t not include Estelle though as he is maybe the best lockdown corner in the CFL. Opposing QBs rarely throw his way which is the best compliment a corner can get. |
| CB: | Geoff Tisdale (HAM) – Other than one tough game earlier this season, Tisdale has been consistently good for the Tiger-Cats in 2010. Hamilton is tied with Toronto for the fewest TDs passing allowed in the East (20). Tisdale is tied for third in the CFL with four interceptions. | Jovon Johnson (WPG) – An All-Star a year ago Johnson has been solid for the Bombers again this year. The fourth year corner is a big time playmaker and has a 55-yard interception return TD this season. He also does double duty as the Bombers primary punt returner. |
| DB: | Jerald Brown (MTL) – In his second CFL season, Brown continues to flourish as a ball hawk in the secondary. After being named Montreal’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2009, it appears that Brown has taken the next step in 2010 and is now among the top defensive backs in the league. | Jason Shivers (HAM) – Shivers was having a banner season until an elbow injury sidelined him a few weeks ago. Despite missing the Ticats last three games he has 45 tackles, three picks and two forced fumbles this year. If he can get back on the field and return to a high level of play he definitely deserves All-Star consideration. |
| DB: | Lin-J Shell (TOR) – Shell will make a receiver think twice about going over the middle. A punishing hitter, he has become one of the better defensive backs in the East. While he has been flagged for his temper this season, you can’t fault a guy for playing with passion. | Lin-J Shell (TOR) – In just his second season in the CFL Shell has established himself as a heavy hitter in the Argos secondary. His swagger and hot temper have gotten him in trouble at times this year but also make him an outstanding halfback. |
| S: | Willie Pile (TOR) – Pile is a threat to sack the quarterback, intercept a ball or cause a turnover thanks to his tenacity. In addition to his outstanding play, he brings tremendous leadership skills onto the field which has allowed him a seamless transition from linebacker to safety in 2010. | Willie Pile (TOR) – Pile has been the guy to come up with the timely play when the Argos D needs it most this season. The move to swtich Pile from linebacker to safety has worked out beautifully for Toronto as Pile brings veteran leadership along with strong play to the secondary. He has picked up 63 tackles, a pair of sacks and a career-high four interceptions so far. |
