Montreal's Calvillo named CFL's top player

Football Betting Lines

11/20/2008 - Montreal, QC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo was named the Canadian Football League's Most Outstanding Player, while Edmonton Eskimos wide receiver Kamau Peterson was honored as the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian at the player awards ceremony Thursday night.

Calvillo edged Calgary Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris for the honor. The two players will battle Sunday for the Grey Cup championship at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Calvillo completed 472 of 682 passes this season for 5,633 yards with 43 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. He led the league in most passing categories and his passer efficiency rating of 107.2 was tops in the CFL. Calvillo received 27 of 46 first place ballots to win the award for a second time.

Peterson, an eight-year CFL veteran, had 101 receptions for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns in 18 starts this season. He received 25 of 46 first place ballots to edge out hometown favorite and three-time CFL All-Star Ben Cahoon.

"It has been an honor to share the stage with such unbelievable talent here at the player awards," said Peterson. "Any time that I can represent an organization as steeped in excellence as the Edmonton Eskimos, it is humbling to say the least. My hat goes off to Ben Cahoon on his great season, as I am a big fan. Congratulations to all of the other nominees and winners tonight on their contributions to their teams."

Slotback Weston Dressler of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was named the league's Outstanding Rookie. He finished third in the CFL with 2,224 combined yards, recorded 56 receptions for 1,128 yards and six touchdowns. Dressler also had 39 punt returns for 411 yards and 29 kick returns for 603 yards. Dressler received 37 of 46 first place ballots to beat Prechae Rodriguez of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

British Columbia defensive end Cam Wake was honored as the league's Outstanding Defensive Player. Wake recorded 65 tackles and led the league with 23 quarterback sacks and five forced fumbles. Wake received 44 of 46 first place ballots to beat Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown.

Scott Flory of the Montreal Alouettes captured the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award. He was on an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league, helping the Alouettes to the Grey Cup. Flory received 24 of 46 first place ballots to edge Gene Makowsky of the Roughriders.

Toronto Argonauts running back Dominique Dorsey was named the CFL's Outstanding Special Teams Player. He topped the league with 2,892 combined yards despite missing the last month of the season with a leg injury. Dorsey received 33 of 46 first place ballots to beat Calgary kicker Sandro DeAngelis.

Saskatchewan center Jeremy O'Day won the Tom Pate Memorial Award, which is given out each year to a player who displays qualities that distinguish them from their peers.

Ron Lancaster, who passed away in September at the age of 69, won the Commissioner's Award. Lancaster was one of the former elite quarterbacks and later a coach and general manager in the CFL. He was enshrined in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1982.