Lionbackers.com

In the recent poll that David created about the most popular Lion of all time, it seems like many of us are having difficulty naming just one player. So what I've decided to do is narrow down the scope and poll about Lion players that fall in a more specific category. I feel that one way to do this is to compare the players who have won specific individual awards. I will create a total of five polls that compare the Lions that have won awards in the five main CFL individual award categories. Since no Lion has won Most Outstanding Special Teams player and because that is a relatively new award, I will not create a poll for that category.

This first poll will deal with Lions that have won the CFL's top individual award. Five Lions have won the CFL Most Outstanding Player. Who is your favourite and why?

For me, this is indeed difficult but I will select Geroy Simon based on the fact that I met him personally and that he was with the Lions during a year that the team won the Grey Cup and he had a direct impact in the championship game. I know Mervyn Fernandez was also part of the 1985 squad, but he was injured and didn't play in the Grey Cup game. I will choose Fernandez as a close second though, especially considering the fact that he was the first Lion to ever win this top award. And I am also certain that David Williams will receive the least amount of votes and that he will be the least favourite of the five players. For some reason, nobody seems to like him.

I took Merv, as he was miles ahead of his time as a receiver. DF And CP weren't Lions long enough to be in my real Lion heart area. Williams also falls into that category, and then I have to skip Geroy.......just because he has more to offer, stay tuned.

Tough poll choices though, this one will be interesting to see the final results.

I would love to pick DF but I just dont really think of him as a lion

I went with MF even though memory of him is tainted by his last stay here, on and off the field.

No receiver in either league has been as exciting to watch as he was in his prime. Poetry in motion, usually describes a RB, but its what he was to me.

Another vote for Swervin Mervin

The Swerve as he was big just as I was becoming a Lions fan. Simon is sure a blast to watch now but my memories made me vote Merv.

DF doesn't strike me as a Lion great, Merv gets my vote.

I'm stuck between Merv and Geroy, I'll give the nod to Merv.

Rammer wrote:I took Merv, as he was miles ahead of his time as a receiver. DF And CP weren't Lions long enough to be in my real Lion heart area. Williams also falls into that category, and then I have to skip Geroy.......just because he has more to offer, stay tuned.

Those are good points as it seems like no CFL MOP stays with the Lions too long after winning the award. Fernandez served with the Lions well for five years from 1982 to 1986 with a brief return in 1994. But notwithstanding Simon who remains to be seen, all four players left in less than two years after winning the award:

Mervyn Fernandez - Won 1985. Went to LA Raiders in 1987.

David Williams - Won in 1988. Lost as a free agent to Toronto in 1990 where he helped the Argos win the 1991 Grey Cup along two other ex-Lions Dunigan and Foggie. Does anybody remember why the Lions didn't decide to offer him another contract in 1990?

Doug Flutie - Won in 1991. Soon lost to Calgary as a free agent in 1992 where he immediate won the Grey Cup with them.

Casey Printers - Won in 2004. Went to Kansas City Chiefs in 2006.

David Williams - Won in 1988. Lost as a free agent to Toronto in 1990 where he helped the Argos win the 1991 Grey Cup along two other ex-Lions Dunigan and Foggie. Does anybody remember why the Lions didn't decide to offer him another contract in 1990?

could it be they were already talking to DF??

KnowItAll wrote:

David Williams - Won in 1988. Lost as a free agent to Toronto in 1990 where he helped the Argos win the 1991 Grey Cup along two other ex-Lions Dunigan and Foggie. Does anybody remember why the Lions didn't decide to offer him another contract in 1990?

could it be they were already talking to DF??

Perhaps, but I don't know how much money Doug Flutie was being offered in his two year contract. Or perhaps the Lions felt that they would take their chances on another incoming tall receiver - Ray Alexander.

As much as I like dunigan, flutie was worth a lot more.

KnowItAll wrote:As much as I like dunigan, flutie was worth a lot more.

Oh, were you referring to Matt Dunigan or David Williams? When I said "offered another contract", I was referring to offering one to David Williams. With Matt Dunigan, he still had one year left on his three year contract that he signed in 1988, but was traded away to Toronto in early 1990.

Robbie wrote:

KnowItAll wrote:As much as I like dunigan, flutie was worth a lot more.

Oh, were you referring to Matt Dunigan or David Williams? When I said "offered another contract", I was referring to offering one to David Williams. With Matt Dunigan, he still had one year left on his three year contract that he signed in 1988, but was traded away to Toronto in early 1990.

oops. My mistake. Some how I read it as you referring to Dunigan.

Robbie wrote:Fernandez served with the Lions well for five years from 1982 to 1986 with a brief return in 1994.

I have a question regarding this point. Does anybody know exactly how many games Mervyn Fernandez played for the Lions when he returned to the team in 1994, and what exactly was his status with the team come the Grey Cup game? I know for sure that he didn't play in the playoffs or in the GC game. So did he actually "win" a second Grey Cup in 1994? He was injured for the playoffs in 1985 as well, but was still part of the team that won the GC. What about 1994?

Exactly what must the status of a player be in order to "win" a Grey Cup by having his named etched on the trophy and receive a ring?

Robbie wrote:

Robbie wrote:Fernandez served with the Lions well for five years from 1982 to 1986 with a brief return in 1994.

I have a question regarding this point. Does anybody know exactly how many games Mervyn Fernandez played for the Lions when he returned to the team in 1994, and what exactly was his status with the team come the Grey Cup game? I know for sure that he didn't play in the playoffs or in the GC game. So did he actually "win" a second Grey Cup in 1994? He was injured for the playoffs in 1985 as well, but was still part of the team that won the GC. What about 1994?
Exactly what must the status of a player be in order to "win" a Grey Cup by having his named etched on the trophy and receive a ring?

He was released well before the end of the regular season as I recall, so I doubt he was recognised with a ring or anything like that. According to the 1995 edition of Facts, Figures and Records, he played in only 9 games, catching 25 passes for 282 yds (long 35) and 2 tds.