Music: {allcanada} CFL Outstanding Player nominees

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

{allcanada} CFL Outstanding Player nominees

TORONTO -- Anthony Calvillo is in the running for a third straight CFL Most Outstanding Player award.

Calvillo was announced as the Montreal Alouettes nominee for the honour, which he has won the last two years.

Voting for the team-by-team nominees was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada as well as the eight CFL head coaches.

The 39-year-old Calvillo has enjoyed a banner 2011 campaign, leading the CFL in passing yards (5,188) and touchdowns (32) while surrendering just eight interceptions.

And earlier this season Calvillo became the CFL's all-time leader in completions (5,345), touchdown passes (418) and passing yards (73,349).

But Calvillo wasn't a unanimous selection, not a surprise given Montreal's Jamel Richardson leads the CFL in catches (110), receiving yards (1,772) and touchdown receptions (11).

The other outstanding player nominees include: kick-returner/receiver Chad Owens of the Toronto Argonauts; defensive lineman Justin Hickman of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats; quarterbacks Ricky Ray of the Edmonton Eskimos and Travis Lulay of the B.C. Lions and receivers Weston Dressler of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Nik Lewis of the Calgary Stampeders.

A notable abstention was B.C. linebacker Solomon Elimimian as top defensive player despite being tied for second in the CFL in tackles (91).

Defensive lineman Keron Williams (11 sacks) got the Lions' nod for that award.

The division finalists are scheduled to be announced next week.