The list of East and West nominees for the Gibson’s Finest Players Awards was released this week, and I have to admit there’s not much to argue about with the names on the list.

Normally, I can quibble top-to-bottom when players are chosen from the divisional lists for these awards, but it’s an extraordinarily strong field this go around full of deserving names (though I might have gone Damon Duval over an injured Dominique Dorsey for Special Teams Player of the Year from the East!).

Henry Burris and Anthony Cavillo have both enjoyed MOP-quality seasons. Arguments either way are sure to be strong and meritorious when voters get to it next week. I’d have to lean toward Calvillo, and not only because his stats are better. AC has gone way beyond anyone’s expectations this year. Burris has simply lived up to what’s expected of him, finally.

For Outstanding Canadian, you couldn’t have two finer candidates than Kamau Peterson and Ben Cahoon. In fact, I can’t even imagine a conversation on the topic devoid of those names. Cahoon’s had an exceptional year, but Peterson has flat-out been an inspiration to his team with his heart and his big-time play-making. While I’d be happy either way, if it were my trophy to give, I’d pass it to KP for that reason alone.

Defensive POY? Slam Dunk—Cam Wake. No offense to Doug Brown, but there’s just no way to go with anyone else.

Offensive Lineman of the Year is another tough category, with Gene Makowsky and Scott Flory going head-to-head. Both are superb players who’ve had excellent years. Both play on exemplary o-lines. Coin toss goes to Flory, and not because I’m a homer, but because the Als have kept their QB a little cleaner this season.

I’m already on record as saying Wes Dressler deserves Top Rookie distinction. Prechae Rodriguez definitely belongs in the conversation, but Dressler had a much bigger hand in keeping the Riders’ title defence hopes alive, especially when Wes Cates was out to injury.

And finally, with Dominique Dorsey coming out of the East as the nominee for Special Teams POY, I have to lean towards Sandro DeAngelis for the prize. Had Dorsey stayed healthy enough to finish out the year on pace, he’d be a shoe-in. But…he didn’t, so Mr. Heavy Foot gets my vote. Actually, this is the one category I have issues with. Luca Congi and Damon Duval had better seasons than DeAngelis, in my opinion, but they aren’t on the ticket…

PLAYOFF PICKS DOOMED TO FAIL

I may have finished the year 41-31, but everybody’s 0-0 now that the playoffs are set to kick off. So here goes…

Normally, I’d run away from picking a crossover team, given the history of failure that route’s cultivated, but I like Edmonton’s chances in Winnipeg this week. Even with Winnipeg’s strong finish to the season, I’m going with the Esks in the East semis.

Out West, I’m backing the Riders at home 110%.

UP NEXT

Check back early next week for my take on the first round of playoff tilts. I’ll also throw together a short list of my favourite moments from the 2008 season Until then, enjoy the games. And get your post-season grills on. It’s all one and done now!