Prediction Time: Writers make their MOP, Grey Cup and Week 1 picks
TORONTO — There’s one thing all seven of CFL.ca’s columnists agree on: The Calgary Stampeders will have the best regular season record in 2017.
The Stamps won everything but a Grey Cup last season and with 51 returning veterans, the most out of any Canadian Football League team, they appear poised to repeat last year’s regular season success.
What happens next, however, is less agreeable as only two writers have the Stampeders finishing November with a coveted victory.
Meanwhile, on the topic of awards, many agree that Solomon Elimimian will repeat as Most Outstanding Defensive Player– but not Bo Levi Mitchell as MOP.
With the 2017 regular season about to kick off, it’s now time for the writers check in with their predictions for this season along with their Week 1 picks.
WEEK 1 PICKS
2017 PREDICTIONS
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
1. Mike Reilly (3)
2. Jonathon Jennings (2), Bo Levi Mitchell Mitchell (2)
Writer | Pick |
Nye | Jonathon Jennings, BC |
Ferguson | Mike Reilly, EDM |
Steinberg | Bo Levi Mitchell, CGY |
Landry | Mike Reilly, EDM |
Cauz | Jonathon Jennings, CGY |
Morris | Mike Reilly, EDM |
O’Leary | Bo Levi Mitchell, CGY |
BREAKOUT STAR
1. Brandon Zylstra (2)
2. Devon Wylie, Arjen Colquhoun, Micah Awe, Terry Williams, Kenny Shaw
Writer | Pick |
Nye | Brandon Zylstra, EDM |
Ferguson | Devon Wylie, TOR |
Steinberg | Arjen Colquhoun, EDM |
Landry | Micah Awe, BC |
Cauz | Brandon Zylstra, EDM |
Morris | Terry Williams, CGY |
O’Leary | Kenny Shaw, OTT |
MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER
1. Solomon Elimimian (4)
2. Loucheiz Purifoy, Alex Singleton, Almondo Sewell
Writer | Pick |
Nye | Loucheiz Purifoy, BC |
Ferguson | Solomon Elimimian, BC |
Steinberg | Solomon Elimimian, BC |
Landry | Alex Singleton, CGY |
Cauz | Almondo Sewell, EDM |
Morris | Solomon Elimimian, BC |
O’Leary | Solomon Elimimian, BC |
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1. S.J. Green (3)
2. Ricky Ray, Zach Collaros, Darian Durant, Chris Williams
Writer | Pick |
Nye | S.J. Green, TOR |
Ferguson | S.J. Green, TOR |
Steinberg | S.J. Green, TOR |
Landry | Ricky Ray, TOR |
Cauz | Zach Collaros, HAM |
Morris | Darian Durant, MTL |
O’Leary | Chris Williams, BC |
MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER
1. Chris Rainey (4)
2. Roy Finch (2)
3. Brandon Banks
Writer | Pick |
Nye | Chris Rainey, BC |
Ferguson | Roy Finch, CGY |
Steinberg | Chris Rainey, BC |
Landry | Chris Rainey, BC |
Cauz | Brandon Banks, HAM |
Morris | Roy Finch, CGY |
O’Leary | Chris Rainey, BC |
TOP REGULAR SEASON RECORD
1. Calgary Stampeders (Unanimous)
Writer | Pick |
Nye | Calgary Stampeders |
Ferguson | Calgary Stampeders |
Steinberg | Calgary Stampeders |
Landry | Calgary Stampeders |
Cauz | Calgary Stampeders |
Morris | Calgary Stampeders |
O’Leary | Calgary Stampeders |
GREY CUP CHAMPION
1. BC Lions (3)
2. Calgary Stampeders (2)
3. Edmonton Eskimos, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Writer | Pick |
Nye | BC def. HAM |
Ferguson | EDM def. HAM |
Steinberg | BC def. MTL |
Landry | CGY def. HAM |
Cauz | BC def. HAM |
Morris | WPG def. HAM |
O’Leary | CGY def. HAM |