Gibson’s Finest CFL Players of the Week 13: Whitaker, Johnson, Thigpen, Foley

TORONTO – Brandon Whitaker, Jovon Johnson, Marcus Thigpen and Ricky Foley were named the Gibson’s Finest CFL Players of the Week for the thirteenth week of the 2011 season.

The four players were chosen by a panel of judges including: former Canadian Football League players Matt Dunigan (@MattDuniganTSN) and Duane Forde (@DuaneFordeTSN), now of TSN, and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Offensive Player of the Week

Brandon Whitaker (@B_Whit2)
RB – Montreal Alouettes

Montreal Alouettes 34 @ Edmonton Eskimos 21

For the second time this season, Montreal Alouettes running back Brandon Whitaker was named Gibson’s Finest CFL Offensive Player of the Week. In the Als’ 34-21 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos, Whitaker registered 20 carries for 113 yards, including a 27-yarder, and a three-yard rushing touchdown. He also caught five passes from Anthony Calvillo for 64 yards and a pair of 23-yard touchdowns in the first and second quarter.

Whitaker leads the league with 906 rushing yards going into week 14.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Defensive Player of the Week

Jovon Johnson
DB – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24 @ Toronto Argonauts 25

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Jovon Johnson was named Gibson’s Finest CFL Defensive Player of the Week, registering three tackles and two interceptions in the Bombers’ 25-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. Johnson’s most profitable interception came in the first quarter on a Steven Jyles’ pass, resulting in a 27-yard return for a touchdown. He also returned four punts for 33 yards.

Johnson leads the league with six interceptions.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week

Marcus Thigpen
RB/SB – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Calgary Stampeders 36 @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats 55

Hamilton Tiger-Cats running back/slotback Marcus Thigpen was named Gibson’s Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week. In the third quarter of Scotiabank Touchdown Atlantic, Thigpen returned Rene Paredes’ missed field goal 118 yards for a touchdown. This is the longest missed field goal return the league has seen this season. He also returned three punts for 17 yards in the Ticats’ 55-36 win over the Calgary Stampeders. Thigpen is ranked second in the league with 1,232 combined return yards this season.

Thigpen also had a strong offensive performance on Sunday, catching six passes for 139 yards, including a 66-yarder, and two touchdowns. Thigpen’s first touchdown came on an eight-yard pass from Kevin Glenn (@qterback5) in the second quarter. His second touchdown came on a 32-yard pass in the third quarter.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Canadian Player of the Week

Ricky Foley
DE – Toronto Argonauts

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24 @ Toronto Argonauts 25

Toronto Argonauts defensive end Ricky Foley was named Gibson’s Finest CFL Canadian Player of the Week, registering six tackles and two quarterback sacks in Saturday night’s 25-24 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Courtice, Ontario native, and former York Lions defensive end, sacked Buck Pierce for a three-yard loss in the first quarter and Justin Goltz for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter.