MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – The Canadian Football League announced on Wednesday the Alouettes’ nominees for the 2013 Most Outstanding Player awards as selected by the voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.
Linebacker Chip Cox picked up dual honours, being named the Alouettes’ Most Outstading Player as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Safety Mike Edem was also nominated twice, picking up both Canadian and Rookie of the Year honours. Centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain was named the team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, while Daryl Townsend received the nod on special teams.
Most Outstanding and Defensive Player: Chip Cox
Cox, one of the most consistent players on the Alouettes’ defence over the past few seasons, leads the CFL with 110 defensive tackles and is tied for fifth in the league with 10 sacks. He has also made four interceptions as well as eleven tackles for losses totalling 41 yards. Unmatched in versatility, the club’s all-time leader in defensive tackles with 597 also received Defensive Player of the Month honours in August.
In Week 18, Cox tied the team record for defensive tackles set in a single season (110), set by Tracy Gravely in 1996. He also helped secure a crucial Week 5 victory for Montreal after leading the charge on a third-down goal line stand on the final play of the game against the Edmonton Eskimos at Percival Molson Stadium on July 25.
WATCH: WEEK 5’s GOAL LINE STAND »
In addition to his duties on defence, Cox plays full-time on special teams and has showcased his speed and athleticism via a number of touchdown-saving tackles, chasing down ball carriers in the open field.
WATCH: CHIP COX SAVES THE TD »
He has made nine special teams tackles so far this season. His nomination as Defensive Player of the Year was unanimous.
This is the first time Cox receives the nod in both categories.
Most Outstanding Canadian and Rookie Player: Mike Edem
Alouettes’ rookie safety Mike Edem continues to impress following 18 weeks of CFL action. Montreal’s top pick in the 2013 CFL draft (third overall), immediately earned the starting position at safety, replacing veteran Kyries Hebert who moved to the linebacking corps.
The 24-year-old recorded 46 defensive tackles, five quarterback sacks, and three interceptions all while recovering four fumbles. He also contributed on special teams, making eight tackles this season. He recorded a personal-best eight defensive tackles in a single game on two separate occasions this year.
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman : Luc Brodeur-Jourdain
Brodeur-Jourdain, who played in all 17 Alouettes games so far this season, continues to anchor an offensive line that has allowed just 41 sacks — good for second fewest in the CFL — on 581 passes attempted. The sum of Alouettes holding penalties and sacks-allowed this year is a league-leading 47, four less than second-place Calgary with 51.
He is considered the quarterback of the offensive line, spending additional time with the coaching staff every week as he makes the calls for the offensive line. The centre between guards Michael Ola and Ryan Bomben, he has snapped the ball to four different QBs this season. Often regarded as one of the smartest players in the league, Brodeur-Jourdain helped pave the way for running back Brandon Whitaker’s 162-yard performance on the ground on July 25 against Edmonton making key blocks to spring his tailback.
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Daryl Townsend
Townsend still leads the Alouettes in special teams tackles with 16 heading into Week 19, despite a five-game absence earlier this year for personal reasons. For two seasons now, he has been one of the Alouettes’ go-to players on special teams, never far from the ball when on the field, even when not making the tackle. His best game so far in 2013 came on August 22 against the B.C. Lions when he recorded four special teams tackles in a 39-38 Alouettes win.
