Around Labour Day, it became obvious: Zach Collaros was going to win MOP.
His numbers, outstanding. His team, winning by incredibly large margins and looking like the championship favourite. All the ingredients were there for Collaros to earn the award in just his second season as a full-time starter.
Then he got hurt and it all went down the toilet. The league-leading 3,376 yards, the 25 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions, the 70.2 per cent completion rate, the 113.7 passer rating. All of it for naught as the Ticats pivot had his season ended due to a torn ACL against the Edmonton Eskimos in September.
Collaros might still end up being the Ticats MOP based on how great he was during the 11 and 1/4 games he did play, but he is not a lock anymore. In his absence, and even during his time healthy, two Ticats receivers have staked their claims for the team’s MOP nomination: Terrell Sinkfield and Luke Tasker.
Both players have missed time this year, Tasker due to injury at the start of the season, and Sinkfield due to perceived performance-related issues early in the season. Since both have returned to the lineup, they have been nothing short of spectacular.
Sinkfield leads the team in receiving yards, Tasker is second.
Tasker leads the team in catches, Sinkfield is second.
Both of them are tied for the team lead in touchdown catches with six.
Sinkfield exploded onto the scene with a six-catch, 118-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Edmonton Eskimos in August and hasn’t looked back. He has five games of 90 yards or more since the Eskimos game and has became a go-to guy for Collaros, and now Jeff Mathews, due to his reliability and his knack for making the big play.
Tasker made up for lost time quickly, catching seven passes for 73 yards in his season debut against the Argonauts on Civic Holiday Monday and has four games with over 100 or more yards receiving. He has been one of Hamilton’s most consistent weapons, with just two games below 50 yards receiving. In Hamilton’s deep receiving corps, Tasker has put up numbers week in and week out.
The difference between the two is so minuscule that I do not know who to pick. Either player would make a worthy nominee and would be deserving of the recognition. They each have impressive résumés and an argument could be made for either to be named Hamilton’s MOP.
So since I cannot make up my mind, I will put it out to you, the good readers of 3DownNation. Who is Hamilton’s MOP for 2015? Is it Sinkfield? Is it Tasker? Would you still give it to Collaros? Is there someone altogether different that you believe deserves recognition for a stellar season by being named team MOP? Have your say and let me know who your 2015 Ticats MOP is!
