Two components of a fine-tuned defensive machine were recognized by the Canadian Football League on Tuesday morning, as linebacker Dexter McCoil and defensive lineman Eddie Steele were named defensive and Canadian players of the week, respectively.
The Edmonton Eskimos’ teammates were key parts of their team’s 41-27 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. McCoil had a pair of touchdowns and two interceptions, along with five tackles. His first touchdown came on a lateral pass from defensive lineman Odell Willis, who had intercepted Ricky Ray. His second TD was a fourth-quarter, game-sealing 19-yard pick-six on Ray that put the game out of reach and sent the Eskimos to 7-1.
Steele had a quarterback sack, a pass knockdown, six tackles and one on special teams to star in what turned out to be a bruising game on Saturday.
The weekly honours are the first in both players’ careers.
Leading into Monday’s Labour Day Classic match against the Calgary Stampeders, the Eskimos will see the reigning offensive player of the week, in receiver Joe West, who had four catches for 129 yards in the Stamps’ 32-7 win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
Like his next-in-line opponents, this is West’s first player of the week nod.
The game was an emotional one for West. He played just hours after learning that his younger brother was the victim of a fatal shooting in Magnolia, Arkansas. West dedicated the game to his brother’s memory.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank my teammates for their love and support at this difficult time,” West said through a Stampeders’ release. “I also want to thank all the fans for their prayers and condolences. You’ll never know how much your kind words have meant to me.”
B.C.’s Tim Brown was named special teams player of the week. The return specialist had 277 combined return yards, including a punt return for a TD in his team’s loss to the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders. Brown is the special teams’ winner for the second week in a row.
Bodog updates CFL odds
As the Eskimos continue to roll through their competition, the oddsmakers at bodog.ca continue to revamp their odds on favourites for the Grey Cup. Their latest is below. The Eskimos are now the No. 3 favourite to win the Grey Cup, at 5/1 odds, behind Saskatchewan (15/4) and Calgary (3/1). Other Esks’ notables: Mike Reilly is the site’s second choice to win MOP this year, at 2/1 behind Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell, who is at 3/2. Adarius Bowman is third, at 15/4. Bowman is also pegged at 5/4 to lead the league in receiving.
Odds to win the 2014 CFL Grey Cup
Calgary Stampeders 3/1
Saskatchewan Roughriders 15/4
Edmonton Eskimos 5/1
B.C. Lions 11/2
Toronto Argonauts 6/1
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 7/1
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 12/1
Montreal Alouettes 20/1
Ottawa RedBlacks 33/1
Odds to Win the CFL East Division
Toronto Argonauts 1/2
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 3/1
Montreal Alouettes 6/1
Ottawa RedBlacks 10/1
Odds to Win the CFL West Division
Calgary Stampeders 7/4
Saskatchewan Roughriders 11/4
Edmonton Eskimos 11/4
B.C. Lions 11/2
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 6/1
CFL 2014 – Who will win the Most Outstanding Player Award?
Bo Levi Mitchell (CAL) 3/2
Mike Reilly (EDM) 2/1
Adarius Bowman (EDM) 15/4
Chad Owens (TOR) 7/1
Ricky Ray (TOR) 7/1
Andrew Harris (BC) 8/1
CFL 2014 – Who will have the most passing yards?
Ricky Ray (TOR) 4/7
Drew Willy (WPG) 7/4
Bo Levi Mitchell (CAL) 2/1
CFL 2014 – Who will have the most rushing yards?
Nic Grigsby (WPG) 3/1
Andrew Harris (BC) 15/4
Chevon Walker (OTT) 9/2
Brandon Whitaker (MTL) 9/2
Jon Cornish (CAL) 19/4
Will Ford (SAS) 5/1
John White (EDM) 7/1
Curtis Steele (TOR) 8/1
CFL 2014 – Who will have the most receiving yards?
Adarius Bowman (EDM) 5/4
Chad Owens (TOR) 9/4
Clarence Denmark (WPG) 7/2
Emmanuel Arcenneaux (BC) 5/1
Marquay McDaniel (CAL) 5/1
Will Jeff Garcia play in a game for any team in the 2014 CFL season?
Yes +600 (6/1)
No -1000 (10/1)
Will the Montreal Alouettes make the playoffs in the 2014 CFL season?
Yes +200 (2/1)
No -260 (5/13)
