The Tiger-Cats had numerous players put up great numbers in Fantasy, but it was a journeyman that stood above them all this past week. It reminds us not to rule out apparently “unfavourable,” older players, since what truly matters is their desire and ability to play. Here are the best of Week Nine in TSN Fantasy Football, CFL Edition, presented by Moores. 

Passers

Kevin Glenn, Montréal – While the past couple weeks have not been the greatest for the Alouettes organization, both on and off the field, their season may be on the rise after this week’s victory in Ottawa. The veteran pivot had arguably one of the greatest games of his 15-year career. He completed 25 of 30 passes for 382 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, which led all players in fantasy. It was the first time the offense was clicking on all cylinders this season under first year offensive coordinator, Anthony Calvillo. If this offense continues to perform similar to what they exhibited against the Redblacks, alongside their hard-nosed defense, this team could experience a complete U-turn in 2016.  Even with the rough start to the season, Montreal is only one game back of first in the East.       

Zach Collaros, Hamilton – It did not take long for the quarterback to find the form that made him a favourite to win the Most Outstanding Player in 2015 before he was injured. The 27-year-old hit 23 of 30 passes for 381 yards and threw a career-high five touchdowns in the win over Saskatchewan. Collaros’ outstanding performances in the two games since returning from an ACL injury reflects favourably on the potential for them, to become the front runners for the Grey Cup. 

Mike Reilly, Edmonton – First offensive play of the game, Reilly threw a pick six to Argo’s linebacker Keon Raymond. For good quarterbacks, that would be the beginning of a long day at the office, but the 31-year-old exhibited the cliché that great quarterbacks possess: a short memory. Forgetting about it and moving on, Reilly ended the day going 26 of 31 for 362 yards, with three touchdowns and two picks in the Eskimos’ road victory over the Boatmen. The Grey Cup MVP looked similar to his dominant self that the league has been watching since the start.

Runners
Calvin McCarty, Edmonton – The 10-year Eskimo came out of nowhere in the team’s victory. He led all the big name running backs in Fantasy points with 16 touches for 99 yards and a score. McCarty does not put up these numbers too often: the last time he had over double digit touches in a game was back in 2011. He was also one yard shy of the century mark, which is a milestone that the Western Washington product has not eclipsed since week 11 of 2010 against Toronto.

Brandon Rutley, Montréal – If a running back wants to make an impact in the CFL, they need to possess the dual-threat trait. That is a characteristic the 28-year-old embodies, as shown in the Als’ victory over the Redblacks. The San Jose State product compiled a total of 76 yards and a score on 11 touches. He has impacted the game on both facets in 2016: this season he has 265 rushing yards and 256 receiving yards. 

Jerome Messam, Calgary – The Canadian back that defines old school smash-mouth running style has been rolling the past couple weeks. In the Stamps dismantling 37-9 victory over the Lions, the Graceland product rushed 11 times for 65 yards and a score, he also added three yards receiving. Messam has been getting really comfortable in the end zone as of late with three straight games with a touchdown. Through eight games, the 31-year-old’s four touchdowns are only two shy of his career high of six, set back in 2011. 

Brandon Whitaker, Toronto – The Argonauts were outplayed in nearly every single facet of the game in their home loss to the Eskimos. The only aspects of football one could argue that Toronto won was the running game. Whitaker had a total of 122 yards (108 on the ground) on 17 touches. 

Receivers

Duron Carter, Montréal – The wideout has all the tools not to be just one of the best receivers in the league today, but to be one of the greats. What measures greatness is how one bounces back from a tough performance. In last week’s loss, Carter had three catches for 28 yards. Fast forward a week later and the 25-year-old hauled in five balls for 126 yards and two scores in the team’s road win. He’s on track to pass both his career marks in receiving yards and touchdowns. 

Terrence Toliver, Hamilton – A receiver that has the same measurables and high ceiling as Carter put on his own show in Hamilton. The LSU product snatched five throws for a career high 139 yards and a score. Since making his return from injury in Week 5, Toliver has put up double digit fantasy points in three of four weeks. He’s only going to get better with the return of Ticats pivot Zach Collaros.

Ernest Jackson, Ottawa – The often forgotten man in the Redblacks’ lethal passing game led the charge in the team’s home loss to the Alouettes. He made seven grabs for 120 yards and a score, marking the third straight game the Buffalo product has found the end zone. 

Chad Owens, Hamilton – The “Flying Hawaiian” has not missed a beat since travelling down the QEW to join the Tiger-Cats. He continued his solid 2016 campaign at home against the Roughriders, plucking four catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Owens has been a steady player this season: he’s made four or more catches in every game. The 34-year-old is only 41 yards shy from passing the amount he had in his final year in Toronto. 

Notes

Als’ wide out Nik Lewis made eight grabs for 102 yards and a score, and in the process passed Don Narcisse for sixth on the all-time receptions list. Redblacks’ speedster Chris Williams hauled in five throws for 97 yards and a score in the loss. The receiving yards leader, Adarius Bowman, snatched three balls for 86 yards and major in Edmonton’s victory. Ticats’ wide out Andy Fantuz caught four throws for 77 yards and a touchdown. The third weapon in Montreal B.J. Cunningham had three grabs for 64 yards, plus ran 12 yards for a TD. The definition of speed, Brandon Banks had his best game in two years, with three snatches for 67 yards and a touchdown. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats defense had a feeding frenzy on the Roughriders sporting five interceptions, four sacks, and a forced fumble.