CFL.ca
Every week of the 2016 season, CFL.ca columnists Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson (this week making his CFL.ca debut) will debate over one of the league’s most contentious storylines. It starts in Week 5 with the question: who is the CFL’s best receiver.
Chris Williams is off to a start for the ages. The second-year REDBLACK heads into Week 5 with the league lead in receptions (31), yards (556) and touchdowns (6). His ability to get open has made life a lot easier for the league’s number one-ranked quarterback in Trevor Harris through four weeks of the season.
Ferguson is taking the stance that Williams is the best in the league — by far — and so far the numbers do a pretty good job of demonstrating that. If Williams isn’t burning the defence on a long ball, he’s catching a swing pass and running right by everyone anyway.
| PLAYER | GP | REC | YDS | TDS |
| Chris Williams | 4 | 31 (7.8/game) | 556 (139/game) | 6 (1.5/game) |
| Adarius Bowman | 3 | 25 (8.3/game) | 432 (144/game) | 3 (1/game) |
But while Williams has exploded onto the scene in 2016, Bowman has been doing it for years. His start to the season is nothing to scoff at; in fact the numbers, in one less game played, really aren’t all that different than Williams’. Bowman has 25 catches in three games (8.3 per game) against Williams’ 7.8 receptions per game, while the Eskimo giant is averaging 144 yards per game — more than Williams’ 139 yards per game average.
One thing both writers agree on is these are the two best receivers in the league; one is electrifying speed, one is raw strength and power. What they can’t agree on is who is the better receiver.
BERG (0-0): WHY BOWMAN IS BEST
Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca
@Fan960Steinberg
When I made my case for Edmonton’s Adarius Bowman as the CFL’s best receiver about 10 days ago, I wasn’t expecting a ton of backlash. Turns out fans of Chris Williams are pretty passionate about their guy. So much so, in fact, my counterpart here is going as far as saying Williams is a “much better” receiver than Bowman.
Let’s not get crazy here, though. I don’t believe Bowman is “much better” than Williams, Emmanuel Arceneaux, or any of the other top end receivers in this league. That’s why it’s unfair and inaccurate to say anyone, Williams or otherwise, is significantly better than Bowman. No CFL receiver impacts the game the way Bowman does, and that’s why he remains the benchmark.
As I laid out initially, Bowman boasts a package of attributes unlike anyone else throughout the league. Yeah, he’s got speed and uses is it well to create separation when he needs to. Is he going to win a straight up sprint with Williams? No, probably not, but it’s not going to be totally lopsided, either. But I don’t think Williams, or anyone else, can bring it like Bowman can elsewhere.
Adding Bowman’s size, strength and freak athleticism to his impressive speed game is where the scale tips his way. Bowman creates mismatches in the backfield because he’s taller that most DB’s are. He wins physical battles in the middle of the field and adds yards to receptions because he’s able to out-muscle opposing linebackers. Oh, and remember that catch last week in Winnipeg? Yeah, he’s always got a little “holy crap” in him, too.
There are plenty of receivers in this league who are fast or strong or big. But no one can bring it together like Bowman can and does on a weekly basis. That’s why he remains at the top of a very impressive mountain.
FERG (0-0): NO STOPPING THE LITTLE MAN
Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca
@TSN_Marsh
Chris Williams is the PERFECT modern era CFL receiver. Canadian football has embraced the little man for decades. From Gismo to Flutie and beyond, Chris Williams has become the leader of a new generation of men small in stature having a massive impact on every snap.
At the receiver position the CFL is a league built on YAC (yards after catch). Quick screens, swing passes and underneath throws which result in key second down conversions are essential in a successful offence. In just four weeks Williams has a whopping 274 YAC yards compared to Bowman’s 137 and its not just a four-game trend. Last year Williams was second in the CFL in YAC (467) trailing only his fellow REDBLACKS receiver Brad Sinopoli (471). Bowman ranked sixth in 2015 YAC (418).
Adarius Bowman is a specimen of a receiver, however his impact on the full field does not compare to Chris Williams. While Williams has created a plethora of proficient stats, it’s the numbers his teammates put up which I believe truly separate him. Bowman is a threat to score over the top of the defence, but Williams can score with the ball in his hands anywhere.
When Williams runs shallow crossing routes and hooks, his open-field scoring threat draws defenders away from other REDBLACKS more than any player in the league. As a result, last year Williams and three other Ottawa receivers broke the 1,000 yard mark. In Edmonton, only Derel Walker joined Bowman in the 1,000 yard receiving club.
This season Bowman and Williams have the same number of targets (36) but Williams has more catches (31) than Bowman (25). That disparity in catch percentage displays the connection of receiver to QB and problems with drops, a category in which Bowman led the CFL in 2015.
Add in that Williams is three years younger than Bowman and it becomes clear: Chris Williams is currently the best receiver in the CFL.
DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE!
While both sides are pretty convincing, someone’s gotta take that tough opening-day loss. Whose argument convinced you the most?
You can vote for this week’s winner both on CFL.ca and Twitter. Meanwhile, continue the conversation by tweeting @Fan960Steinberg and @TSN_Marsh. While the discussion never ends, polls close on Sunday night at 11:59 p.m ET.
The winner will be revealed on social and in the following week’s Berg vs. Ferg.
