The Ottawa REDBLACKS are officially at the halfway point of their season. They sit second in the East Division with a 6-2-1 record. They have already surpassed the amount of the wins from 2024 and have started to reclaim Home Field Advantage going 4-0-1 at home.
Disclaimer: These awards are my opinion based on production and value to the teams success through the first nine games of the regular season.
Offensive Player of the Year
Nominees
Dru Brown – Quarterback
Stats: 1,936 Passing Yards, 65.7% Completion Percentage, 6 Touchdowns, 4 Interceptions, 35 Rushing Yards, 7 Carries, 1 Touchdown.
Justin Hardy – Receiver
Stats: 690 Receiving Yards, 47 Receptions, 3 Touchdowns, 166 Yards After Catch, 72.30% Catch Rate, 54 Rushing Yards, 6 Carries.
Ryquell Armstead – Running Back
Stats: 547 Rushing Yards, 103 Carries, 5.3 yards per carry average, 3 Touchdowns, 233 Receiving Yards, 29 Receptions, 214 Yard After Catch, 85.29% Catch Rate
Winner: Ryquell “Rock” Armstead – Running Back
Before camp started, the running back position was the biggest question mark. In April, Ottawa announced that expected starter American Devonte Williams was going to miss the 2024 season after suffering a torn Achilles injury suffered while training followed by Canadian Jackson Bennett announcing his retirement.
In Camp, the former Jacksonville Jaguars 2019 fifth round NFL draft pick was making the most of his opportunity, taking the most of first reps and now nine games into his CFL Career, has shown his ability to be a difference maker.
He is on pace to end the 2024 season with 1,094 rushing and 466 Receiving yards. He would join William Powell as the only two 1,000 yard rusher in REDBLACKS history. He would also beat Powell for first year rushing yards total, he had 1,026 in 2017.
Armstead has been named to the CFL PFF Honour Roll as the top running back in the league in Week 2 and Week 4.
Defensive Player of the Year.
Nominees
Deandre Lamont – Defensive Back
Stats: 54 Defensive Tackles, 1 Interception, 2 tackles for loss, 7 Knockdowns
Adarius Pickett – Defensive Back/Sam Linebacker
Stats: 43 Defensive Tackles, 1 interception, 1 Forced Fumble, 3 Knockdowns
Javon Santos-Knox – Middle Linebacker
Stats: 45 Defensive Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 interception, 1 Knockdown
Winner: Deandre Lamont – Defensive Back
This one wasn’t an easy choice as guys like Adarius Pickett, Jovan Santos-Knox Lorenzo Mauldin IV, Bryce Carter and Alonzo Addae have all played at elite levels during this season.
The second-year defensive back has impressed through the first half of the season. He is 6th in the league in Defensive Tackles and tied for second in Pass Knockdowns. He has been the most productive member of the REDBLACKS Secondary this season. At only 25 years of age, we are watching the bloom of a future perennial All-Star in the CFL.
He is on pace for 108 Defensive Tackles, which would be a Ottawa REDBLACKS Record for most tackles in a season, surpassing Taylor Reed 94 Defensive Tackles in the 2017 season.
Rookie of the Year
Nominees
Nick Mardener – Receiver
Stats: 95 Receiving Yards, 11 Receptions, 39 Yards After Catch, 91.66% Catch Rate.
Kalil Pimpleton – Receiver
Stats: 315 Receiving Yards, 18 Receptions, 124 Yards After Catch, 52.94% Catch Rate, 1 Touchdown, 169 Punt Return Yards, 61 Kickoff Return Yards, 1 Punt Return Touchdown.
Winner: Kalil Pimpleton – Receiver
Watching the Central Michigan product as early as rookie camp in May, you could tell that Pimpleton had the skill set to be an elite receiver in the Canadian Football League.
He couldn’t crack the starting roster to start the season but once he was given his chance due to injuries and he took it becoming a vocal point in both the offence and special teams.
His catch rate isn’t pretty but it can be pretty deceiving. Yes, Pimpleton has struggled with some drops but there have been times where they have forced the ball to him just to get the ball into his hands. Pimpleton has the speed and elusiveness that allows him to outrun defenders angles.
It is unfortunate that he suffered a finger injury in their week 10 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and he is on the six-game injured list as he would be the favourite to win the League award.
Pimpleton has been named to the CFL PFF Honour Roll as the top returner in the league in Week 8.
Most Outstanding Player of the Year
Nominees:
Ryquell Armstead – Running Back
Stats: 547 Rushing Yards, 103 Carries, 5.3 yards per carry average, 3 Touchdowns, 233 Receiving Yards, 29 Receptions, 214 Yard After Catch, 85.29% Catch Rate
Adarius Pickett – Defensive Back/Sam Linebacker
Stats: 43 Defensive Tackles, 13 Special Teams Tackles, 1 interception, 1 Forced Fumble, 3 Knockdowns
Lewis Ward – Kicker
Stats: 33 for 37 on Field Goals, 2 for 2 from 50+ yards, 12 for 12 Extra Point Converts, 2 last play game winner field goals, 113 Total Points,
Winner: Adarius Pickett – Defensive Back
Much like Offensive player and Defensive player awards, this award could go to three or four players and was not easy choice.
The proclaimed “Party Starter” has lived up to his reputation through the first nine games of his REDBLACKS tenure, being a force on defense and special teams. He is providing a leadership that Ottawa was accustomed to when Antoine Pruneau was with the club.
Pickett is currently third in the league in special teams tackles and sixth in the league in total tackles.
His overall numbers may not jump off the page but his leadership and willingness to play on both special teams units has been a big factor in how the club has played during the first half of the season. I personally believe that if Condell and Dyce went up to him and asked if he wanted to be used on offence, he would say yes and be effective in that role.
Pickett has been named to the CFL PFF Honour Roll as the top Special Teams player in the league in Week 4 and top defensive back in the league in Week 6.
Special Teams Player of the Year
Nominees:
DeVonte Dedmon – Kick/Punt Returner
Stats: 407 Punt Return Yards, 571 Kickoff Return Yards, 1 Kickoff Return Touchdown, 11.6 Punt Return Average, 28.6 Kickoff Return Average
Lewis Ward – Kicker
Stats: 33 for 37 on Field Goals, 2 for 2 from 50+ yards, 12 for 12 Extra Point Converts, 2 last play game winner field goals, 113 Total Points
Adarius Pickett – Defensive back
Stats: 13 Special Teams Tackles
Winner: DeVonte Dedmon – Kick/Punt Returner
The 28-year-old William & Mary product is having a resurgence in 2024 after suffering a season ending injury in 2023.
Dedmon has been a difference maker this year for the REDBLACKS. Consistently giving the offence positive field position with electric returns. He currently leads the CFL in kickoff return average and is third in Punt Return yards and fifth in Kickoff return yards.
He has only appeared in seven games but on off his current numbers over 16 games, he would end the season with 2,235 total return yards.
Dedmon has been named to the CFL PFF Honour Roll as the top returner in the league in Week 2 and Week 3.
Most Outstanding Canadian of the Year
Nominees:
Alonzo Addae – Defensive back
Stats: 20 Defensive Tackles, 4 Special Teams Tackles, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovery.
Dariusz Bladek – Right Guard
Stats: Per PFF, Highest graded Run Blocker, 1 sack agaisnt on 355 Pass Blocks.
Lewis Ward – Kicker
Stats: 33 for 37 on Field Goals, 2 for 2 from 50+ yards, 12 for 12 Extra Point Converts, 2 last play game winner field goals, 113 Total Points
Winner: Lewis Ward – Kicker
Ward has been dialed in this season and if it wasn’t for Dedmon putting up the return numbers he has, he could easily walk away with both Most Outstanding Canadian and Special Team Player through the first half of the year.
Ward has attempted the most amount of field goals in the CFL, kicking at 89.2% 33 for 37 including three walk-off field goals. He has hit 12 of 13 conversion attempts.
On his current pace, Ward is expected to hit 66 field goals which would be a CFL Record. Beating Justin Medlock 60 field goals as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2016.
Ward has been named to the CFL PFF Honour Roll as the top Kicker in the league in Week 8 and Week 11
Offensive Lineman Of The Year
Nominees
Dino Boyd – Left Tackle
Stats: Zero Sacks on 315 Pass Blocks,
Dariusz Bladek – Right Guard
Stats: Highest graded Run Blocker, 1 Sack on 355 Pass Block,
Winner: Dariusz Bladek – Right Guard
It isn’t often that an offensive guard takes this award but Bladek is playing at an All-Star level in 2024. He is the second highest graded offensive lineman.
Per PFF, Bladek has played 500 snaps this season, is the REDBLACKS the highest graded run blocker and has given up 1 sack, 3 QB hits and 9 hurries on 355 pass blocks.
All Stats are provided by PFF
Final Thoughts
There have been plenty of players on both offence and defense who have been a positive impact on how the team has played that have not been listed and shouldn’t be lost on the fanbase.
The first half of the 2024 CFL season has come with a lot of excitement and hope that the back nine of the season is just as exciting. Ottawa will kickoffs the second half of the 2024 season on Saturday August 24 when they host former Head Coach Rick Campbell and the struggling BC Lions.