The CFL Season is now at the half way point and its time to for the desk to give our takes for the best players so far. So, we put together our CFL Mid-Season Awards on The Analyst Desk. These are not the official CFL awards. We do things a little differently around here. We are giving flowers to the players who have earned them, calling out some underrated names, and having some fun with the categories the league should probably have in the first place.
From the best running back to the most outstanding player, we broke down the biggest conversations around the league.
CFL Mid-Season Awards: Tyson Philpott Is Setting the Standard
If you are talking about Most Outstanding Player at the halfway point, Tyson Philpott has to be right at the top of the list.
Philpott has been on another level this season. He crossed the 1,000-yard mark in only eight games, leads the league in receiving yards and touchdowns, and continues to make explosive plays every week. It is not just the catches either. A lot of his production has come after the catch, turning short passes into massive gains.
Davis Alexander has been outstanding in Montreal as well, and Vernon Adams Jr. is absolutely in the conversation, but Philpott has been the player setting the pace. Right now, he would be our pick for both Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian.
CFL Mid-Season Awards: The Running Back Debate Is Wide Open
The running back award turned into one of the better debates of the show.
Dedrick Mills has been the consistent choice. He is not always the flashiest player, but he has been putting up strong numbers week after week and has been one of Calgary’s most reliable pieces.
Justin Rankin deserves a serious look too. He has been productive on the ground, but what makes him different is everything he does as a receiver. He is more than just a running back in Edmonton’s offence.
Then there is Travis Theis. He came into the year looking like a depth option, maybe a special teams player, and has turned himself into one of the most explosive rushers in the CFL. That is exactly why this category is so tough.
CFL Mid-Season Awards Need a Short-Yardage QB Category
We said it on the show: short yardage quarterback should be an actual award.
Tommy Stevens is the clear leader in this conversation. When Saskatchewan needs a yard, he gets it. It is that simple. He has been one of the most effective players in football’s most important situational role.
We also gave credit to Bryce Perkins in Winnipeg, Quincy Vaughn in Calgary, Terry Wilson in Montreal and even Nick Arbuckle in Toronto. But Stevens has been the standard for short yardage all season long.
Defence, Special Teams and Coaching Matter Too
Willie Jefferson, Adarius Pickett and several others have made the defensive player conversation interesting, while special teams had plenty of names to choose from as well. It may not always get the same attention as offence, but one return, one blocked kick or one missed field goal can change an entire game.
Coach of the Year might be one of the biggest debates. Montreal has been one of the league’s best teams, but what Edmonton has done under Mark Kilam cannot be ignored. Turning that situation around so quickly has been impressive.
The Second Half Is Going To Change Everything
Mid-season awards are fun because they always come with a warning: there is still a lot of football left.
A great second half can put a player in the MOP race. A bad stretch can knock someone right out of it. That is what makes the CFL so fun every year.
Watch the full episode HERE and let us know in the comments: who is your mid-season MOP, Rookie of the Year and biggest disappointment so far?
