2024 CFL MOP

[peg_city]

If you wish, make your claim below.

[blue_or_die]

Down year in the CFL. Sorry, but colour me unimpressed. Yikes

[pdirks67]

After a quick scan of the stats, no one has really has a good case to make. I'm voting for Brady because I think thata he'll overtake Stanback for the rushing lead, and he's also the best all-round back when it comes to things like pass-blocking.

Vernon Adams - not even a starter right now. McInnis has been quiet for several games now and may get overtaken for the receiving title. Cody just isn't the best QB in the league. Bo Levi was benched. Dru Brown is up and down.

[dd]

I don't think the MOP has been determined yet, and I think it will be who ever leads his team to a Grey Cup victory. I think Collaros takes us on a late season tear and we don't lose a game all the way to the Grey Cup. I also think Toronto returns the favour on Montreal this year and beats them out in the playoffs

[Jesse]

Right off the bat, a QB had better not win, because none of them have been outstanding. Period.

They gave it to Fajardo in 2019 because he was the only healthy QB that year, and that was egregious enough, but there is truly not an option at QB this year.

McInnis was a front runner but plunged off the face of the earth.

Brady is still doing Brady things but the TDs take him out, I guess.

No one on the defensive side of the ball has pulled away from the pack.

My vote today would be Stanback. I've been a hater for a few years, but when the Lions feature him in the game plan, they win games.

[peg_city]

Right off the bat, a QB had better not win, because none of them have been outstanding. Period.

They gave it to Fajardo in 2019 because he was the only healthy QB that year, and that was egregious enough, but there is truly not an option at QB this year.

McInnis was a front runner but plunged off the face of the earth.

Brady is still doing Brady things but the TDs take him out, I guess.

No one on the defensive side of the ball has pulled away from the pack.

My vote today would be Stanback. I've been a hater for a few years, but when the Lions feature him in the game plan, they win games.

Brandon Banks won it in 2019 (I had to look it up)

This might end up being the worst MOP since Kerry Joseph in 2007. Or maybe Lulay in 2011?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Brandon Banks won it in 2019 (I had to look it up)

This might end up being the worst MOP since Kerry Joseph in 2007. Or maybe Lulay in 2011?

Maybe they'll give it to Fajardo in recognition for the career he's put in, if they don't give it to him this year, they may not get another chance.

[Big Daddy]

Right off the bat,

Right off the bat, a QB had better not win, because none of them have been outstanding. Period.

They gave it to Fajardo in 2019 because he was the only healthy QB that year, and that was egregious enough, but there is truly not an option at QB this year.

McInnis was a front runner but plunged off the face of the earth.

Brady is still doing Brady things but the TDs take him out, I guess.

No one on the defensive side of the ball has pulled away from the pack.

My vote today would be Stanback. I've been a hater for a few years, but when the Lions feature him in the game plan, they win games.

[/b]a QB had better not win, because none of them have been outstanding. Period.

They gave it to Fajardo in 2019 because he was the only healthy QB that year, and that was egregious enough, but there is truly not an option at QB this year.

McInnis was a front runner but plunged off the face of the earth.

Brady is still doing Brady things but the TDs take him out, I guess.

No one on the defensive side of the ball has pulled away from the pack.

My vote today would be Stanback. I've been a hater for a few years, but when the Lions feature him in the game plan, they win games.

Okay, agree with much of what you are saying here.  I'm just highlighting the part to make a point - if Collaros comes on, like he clearly can, and wins out and puts up multiple TD passes every game from here on in, reverses his TD/INT ratio, I think that would be a case where it is justified to give it to a qb this year.  So - no period, just an emphasis if no one really pulls ahead in the last third of the season.

It's definitely possible a qb does just that.

[TecnoGenius]

After a quick scan of the stats, no one has really has a good case to make. I'm voting for Brady because I think thata he'll overtake Stanback for the rushing lead, and he's also the best all-round back when it comes to things like pass-blocking.

For a RB to win it instead of a QB they have to do outstanding things, not just have another "normal" year.  Besides, Brady with zero TDs in week 15...  Love Brady, but this is not a great year for him.

[TecnoGenius]

I don't think the MOP has been determined yet, and I think it will be who ever leads his team to a Grey Cup victory. I think Collaros takes us on a late season tear and we don't lose a game all the way to the Grey Cup. I also think Toronto returns the favour on Montreal this year and beats them out in the playoffs

Yes, there is no clear MOP yet.  As of this second it's probably Cody, or maybe Dru.  But not because they are great, but because everyone else is so meh or had tub time reduce their stats.

As for the cup sealing it... MOP is determined before the cup.  It's basically a regular season thing.  So 5 more games for contenders to pull ahead of the pack.  It will probably take a miracle for a Bomber to win it this year.  If Castillo puts in 2 more 60+ yarders and 10 more 50+ and blows away all league records, maybe that would be enough: something really outstanding.

[Jesse]

Brandon Banks won it in 2019 (I had to look it up)

This might end up being the worst MOP since Kerry Joseph in 2007. Or maybe Lulay in 2011?

That's a relief. I guess CoFaj won the West nomination and I just have been walking around like an idiot thinking that he won the award.

[/b]a QB had better not win, because none of them have been outstanding. Period.

They gave it to Fajardo in 2019 because he was the only healthy QB that year, and that was egregious enough, but there is truly not an option at QB this year.

McInnis was a front runner but plunged off the face of the earth.

Brady is still doing Brady things but the TDs take him out, I guess.

No one on the defensive side of the ball has pulled away from the pack.

My vote today would be Stanback. I've been a hater for a few years, but when the Lions feature him in the game plan, they win games.


Okay, agree with much of what you are saying here.  I'm just highlighting the part to make a point - if Collaros comes on, like he clearly can, and wins out and puts up multiple TD passes every game from here on in, reverses his TD/INT ratio, I think that would be a case where it is justified to give it to a qb this year.  So - no period, just an emphasis if no one really pulls ahead in the last third of the season.

It's definitely possible a qb does just that.

Sure, it's possible. I just think the point of the thread was to talk about as things stand right now.

[blue_or_die]

I don't think the MOP has been determined yet, and I think it will be who ever leads his team to a Grey Cup victory. I think Collaros takes us on a late season tear and we don't lose a game all the way to the Grey Cup. I also think Toronto returns the favour on Montreal this year and beats them out in the playoffs

This is the best post you have ever made on the forum.

I understand the spirit of the thread is to discuss where things stand today, but it so lackluster that it's not even fun to debate at this point. Hoping that there's some magic (and not even just from us) to make the MOP race interesting towards the end of the year.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Tough year.

It's really hard to give it to a QB on a team that won't make the playoffs but in a season of no breakaway candidates I'm giving it to Bo Levi Mitchell at this stage. Almost 3700 yards passing (~550 more than the next QB) 23 TDS on 12 INTs. Lots can change in the last few weeks but if he throws for 5000 yards (~260 a game the rest of the way) it would be Hard not to pick him.

[The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB]

That's a relief. I guess CoFaj won the West nomination and I just have been walking around like an idiot thinking that he won the award.

He didn't "win" the West nomination, it was gifted to him after Andrew Harris got blacklisted for failing a drug test. 

[Waffler]

Bo Levi though having nice stats doesn't win enough games. I don't even think he is their #1. They looked to be going with Powell until he got hurt.

The guy that had the most impact would be Dru Brown. Ottawa now has a respectable team and a playoff position. Technically this makes him most valuable rather than most outstanding in that the team doesn't make playoffs without him.

Fajardo I could see also but with middling stats and time missed to injury it's iffy.

Sergio saved our bacon so many times when we couldn't score majors, not to mention his success in longer kicks. Can a kicker win?

Probably boils down to someone getting hot down the stretch, IF that happens. It's been an unusual year.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Bo Levi though having nice stats doesn't win enough games. I don't even think he is their #1. They looked to be going with Powell until he got hurt.

The guy that had the most impact would be Dru Brown. Ottawa now has a respectable team and a playoff position. Technically this makes him most valuable rather than most outstanding in that the team doesn't make playoffs without him.

Fajardo I could see also but with middling stats and time missed to injury it's iffy.

Sergio saved our bacon so many times when we couldn't score majors, not to mention his success in longer kicks. Can a kicker win?

Probably boils down to someone getting hot down the stretch, IF that happens. It's been an unusual year.

It would be a great year to give the MOP to a defensive player but the most likely candidates would be LB's or DE's and injuries have largely wiped out any that have made significant contributions this year.  Rave reviews for DB's wouldn't move the needle in the MOP category but Nichols or Holm stand a fair chance at MODP.

[Jesse]

He didn't "win" the West nomination, it was gifted to him after Andrew Harris got blacklisted for failing a drug test. 

I'm probably opening up something that is better staying closed, but I didn't have a problem with Andrew not getting nominated that year. Getting suspended for performance enhancers should come with consequences.

[theaardvark]

I think Brady closes out the year on a roll, and takes it this time.

[TecnoGenius]

How about Begelton?  He's the only R who consistently gets good yards and TDs.  He fights on every play, runs hard on every route, battles for YAC like a beast, takes huge hits and doesn't care.  He's often the only guy trying on that whole CGY team.  He never quits.

He has the most heart and talent of anyone on that team.  And he's always a stand up guy and a good interview.

He would make an outstanding Bomber: literally the perfect MOS guy.  I know CGY would never let him go, but if we ever had a trade CGY was dying for...

Oh ya, and I'm sure he works for waaaay less than Kenny or Schoen.

[Jesse]

How about Begelton?  He's the only R who consistently gets good yards and TDs.  He fights on every play, runs hard on every route, battles for YAC like a beast, takes huge hits and doesn't care.  He's often the only guy trying on that whole CGY team.  He never quits.

He has the most heart and talent of anyone on that team.  And he's always a stand up guy and a good interview.

He would make an outstanding Bomber: literally the perfect MOS guy.  I know CGY would never let him go, but if we ever had a trade CGY was dying for...

Oh ya, and I'm sure he works for waaaay less than Kenny or Schoen.

I think the really obvious for MOP is still McInnis. He's the only player who is a tier above his peers.

300 yards past Begelton and more than double the TDs.

[TecnoGenius]

I think the really obvious for MOP is still McInnis. He's the only player who is a tier above his peers.

McInnis had a stellar start but has sucked rocks for many weeks now (with a slight comeback last week).  Smart Ds have completely shut McInnis down, and he often looks disinterested and deflated now.  McInnis has the benefit of being on a pass-first team with a gun-slinging high-yardage QB.

Begelton is always consistently the best on his team.  Some games he's the only one who can actually get open and catch anything.  Begelton is excelling even while being on the league-worst team with a can't-throw, no-deep-pass QB and an O that's never on the field.

I bet Begelton ends the season with more Y than McInnis, even despite all the above handicaps.

[BlueInCgy]

I went with Dru.  I think the RBs have far exceeded expectations this year, and Dru has been key in that.

[Stats Junkie]

Here is my ranking of CFL QBs in 2024

Cody Fajardo has dropped back a bit but he is the leader in points per drive (2.04) which I consider to be a good metric for measuring QB productivity. For reference, there have been 25 QBs since 2004 with a points per drive of 2.00 or greater and 100+ drives led in a season. I consider these to be elite performances.

Since 2004, 34 QBs have finished the season with a TD on at least 20% of all drives. MBT and Cody Fajardo are currently above the 20% mark.

Only 17 QBs have finished a season with an average drive length of 30 yards or more. Cody Fajardo and Vernon Adams are knocking on the door with 29.6 yards per drive - that would rank them at 24th since 2004.

Another column which is significant is the percentage of drives that end in an interception. Dru Brown leads the way at 4.3% of drives followed by Cody Fajardo at 4.6% of drives. Fajardo would be tied for 24th best since 2004.

One final benchmark comparison. The 1.81 points per drive league wide would be the best all-time in CFL history. The current best was 1.74 points per drive in 2017.

Cody Fajardo certainly has the production numbers to justify having him in the running for CFL MOP. His numbers are not as impressive as Collaros & Kelly in 2023 or Collaros & Rouke in 2022 but Fajardo's numbers are still great when compared to all QBs since 2004.

[TecnoGenius]

One final benchmark comparison. The 1.81 points per drive league wide would be the best all-time in CFL history. The current best was 1.74 points per drive in 2017.

Must be tempered with a *, though, after they moved the drive-start point up to the 40.

Still, not bad for QBs in the post-40 era!

Great stats, thanks for that.

[Waffler]

Love the QB stats. Thanks Stats Junkie. 

I wonder about kicking, how much better is Sergio than the rest of the pack?  I suspect Sergio stands out from the kickers more than Fajardo stands out amongst QB's. Hard to quantify the momentum he has given us making so many long ones and keeping us in games when the offense couldn't finish. Who else blew your mind this year? Just Sergio for me. I still can't imagine a kicker winning MOP though. In fact he'll be in tough just for special teams because Janarion Grant exists.

[TecnoGenius]

I wonder about kicking, how much better is Sergio than the rest of the pack?  I suspect Sergio stands out from the kickers more than Fajardo stands out amongst QB's.

Castillo's % (the main stat) was ruined by the week 1 game with the chips.  I don't remember what he missed, maybe 3?  That will ruin his % for the whole year no matter how many more he kicks.

But if you do a 60+, 55+, 50+ breakdown of his kicks, or create some sort of weighted-by-length score (maybe exponential!), I'm pretty sure Castillo is miles ahead.

[peg_city]

Collaros's QB rating = 85.9
Dru Brown's QB rating = 92.3

Oliveira in the west and Fajardo in the East?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Castillo's % (the main stat) was ruined by the week 1 game with the chips.  I don't remember what he missed, maybe 3?  That will ruin his % for the whole year no matter how many more he kicks.

But if you do a 60+, 55+, 50+ breakdown of his kicks, or create some sort of weighted-by-length score (maybe exponential!), I'm pretty sure Castillo is miles ahead.

Yep Sergio has been a little too inconsistent on FG's this year to earn any league wide awards. O'Shea has no fear in sending him out for FG's of any length which has definitely affected his stats, just hope a long missed FG return doesn't happen in a critical playoff game this year. I'd be nervous trying an extra long one if Grant or Leake were waiting in the endzone for a chance to return a missed FG.

[bunker]

Yep Sergio has been a little too inconsistent on FG's this year to earn any league wide awards. O'Shea has no fear in sending him out for FG's of any length which has definitely affected his stats, just hope a long missed FG return doesn't happen in a critical playoff game this year. I'd be nervous trying an extra long one if Grant or Leake were waiting in the endzone for a chance to return a missed FG.

The good thing about Sergio is he either makes them, or hits the post, resulting in a dead ball.

[Jesse]

Collaros's QB rating = 85.9
Dru Brown's QB rating = 92.3

Oliveira in the west and Fajardo in the East?

I think Carey and Hardy have done far more at their respective positions than Fajardo has done at his.

[dd]

Its been a weird year for MOP for sure, but Fajardo has to be the front runner for the award.

[Jesse]

Its been a weird year for MOP for sure, but Fajardo has to be the front runner for the award.

Hard disagree.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Its been a weird year for MOP for sure, but Fajardo has to be the front runner for the award.

I'd say he's definitely in the mix. No one has run away with it. I think this is a year where it comes down to the last month.

[dd]

Hard disagree.

Well Farjardo will get it long before flash in the pan, never seen again McInnis.

[J5V]

Maybe they'll give it to Fajardo in recognition for the career he's put in, if they don't give it to him this year, they may not get another chance.

Yes you could be right.

Isn't it odd how good it is for players once they leave Saskatchewan? Cody, Willie, Nuef, Demski, to name a few.

[J5V]

If Fajardo wins it I may puke. I wonder if anyone on the Montreal team has figured out what a drama queen Fajardo is.

He was acting injured again in the Ottawa game and was playing "brave soldier guts it out" as he showed us all that he was hurt to the ribs or something. It didn't stop him from running the ball into the end zone though.

In the Ottawa post-game comments he said "we, we, we" but before long he started talking about himself and said "I did enough to win and that's what matters".

I can't stand him. What a phoney.

[bluengold204]

Yes you could be right.

Isn't it odd how good it is for players once they leave Saskatchewan? Cody, Willie, Nuef, Demski, to name a few.

Collaros as well lol

[TecnoGenius]

Collaros's QB rating = 85.9
Dru Brown's QB rating = 92.3

Oliveira in the west and Fajardo in the East?

After the last 2 weeks you can kiss Dru's MOP hopes goodbye.  Good D's have figured Dru out: he is a "rookie starter" after all.  Those guys often look good until they don't.  I think/hope he'll pull through, but it may take some time of losing.

Dru's QBR is probably in the toilet now.

[TecnoGenius]

The good thing about Sergio is he either makes them, or hits the post, resulting in a dead ball.

Definitely coached!  MOS/Miller to Castillo: it's ok if you miss, but then make sure it hits the upright!

   

[TecnoGenius]

He was acting injured again in the Ottawa game and was playing "brave soldier guts it out" as he showed us all that he was hurt to the ribs or something. It didn't stop him from running the ball into the end zone though.

It's the obliques!!  Always the obliques with Cody.  He loves his late-season and post-season backup excuse if he starts losing...

[peg_city]

Collaros's QB rating = 85.9
Dru Brown's QB rating = 92.3

Oliveira in the west and Fajardo in the East?

Collaros QB rating - 94.2
Brown QB rating - 92.3

Oliveira in the west & BLM in the east now?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Bo Levi is a real option with how it's going. He always had the numbers. If they get into the playoffs I'm not sure how he doesn't win.

[TecnoGenius]

Collaros QB rating - 94.2

Oliveira in the west & BLM in the east now?

If Zach keeps up 3-6 TDs and 350+ a game for the last 3, could Zach sneak in there?

His vs EDM stats just gave his mediocre season stats and huge bump.

We'll be in the interesting situation where we will probably have to play every game hard to secure first over SSK.

[Jesse]

If Zach keeps up 3-6 TDs and 350+ a game for the last 3, could Zach sneak in there?

His vs EDM stats just gave his mediocre season stats and huge bump.

We'll be in the interesting situation where we will probably have to play every game hard to secure first over SSK.

I don't see any situation where Zack sneaks in.

We may mathematically need 2 wins, but that goes down when other teams lose. I bet we're still sitting guys in week 20.

Brady will be our team nominee.

[J5V]

I don't see any situation where Zack sneaks in.

We may mathematically need 2 wins, but that goes down when other teams lose. I bet we're still sitting guys in week 20.

Brady will be our team nominee.

BO20 is developing some very interesting AH33-like skills. That spin move to stay on his feet for the TD was incredible for such a big man. As he matures he has a chance to be better than AH33 due to his size. BO20 is a load! If he gets up a head of steam he is a formidable force. Mix in his patience to wait for a hole to develop on the line, and some nifty moves, and he is going to be even more terrific.