Gibson’s Finest CFL Players of the Week 17: Ray, Vega, Medlock, Messam

TORONTO – Ricky Ray, Jason Vega, Justin Medlock and Jerome Messam were named the Gibson’s Finest CFL Players of the Week for the 17th 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

Ricky Ray
QB – Edmonton Eskimos

Edmonton Eskimos 31 @ Toronto Argonauts 24

Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray has been named Gibson’s Finest CFL Offensive Player of the Week. During Friday’s CFL Pink game, Ray completed 17-of-29 pass attempts for 347 yards, including a 75-yarder, and two touchdowns. He also ran in his first touchdown of the season.

Ray’s first touchdown came in the second quarter on a 43-yard pass to Jason Barnes. His second touchdown also came in the second quarter on a nine-yard run. Ray’s third touchdown of the game came in the third quarter on a 15-yard pass to Fred Stamps. Ray’s strong offensive performance contributed to the Eskimos’ 31-24 win over the Argos.

Ray is ranked third in the league with 3,979 passing yards this season.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Defensive Player of the Week

Jason Vega (@VegaJason)
DE/LB – Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Montreal Alouettes 25 @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 26

Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie defensive end/linebacker Jason Vega has been named Gibson’s Finest CFL Defensive Player of the Week. In the Bombers’ 26-25 come-from-behind victory over the Montreal Alouettes, Vega registered four tackles and two quarterback sacks. His first sack came in the second quarter for a six-yard loss and his second sack came in the fourth quarter for an eight-yard loss.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week

Justin Medlock
P/K – Hamilton Tiger-Cats

BC Lions 10 @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats 42

Hamilton Tiger-Cats punter/kicker Justin Medlock has been named Gibson’s Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. Connecting on all seven field goals attempts, from 19, 44, 42, 48, 47, 29 and 35 yards out, and three converts, Medlock scored over half the Ticats’ points in their 42-10 win over the Lions. The Ticats kicker came within one field goal of tying Dave Ridgway, Mark McLoughlin and Paul Osbaldiston for the CFL record for most field goals made in a game.

He also had eight punts for 347 yards, including a 50-yarder, with an average of 43.4 yards.

Medlock is ranked second in the league with 184 kicking points.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Canadian Player of the Week

Jerome Messam
RB – Edmonton Eskimos

Edmonton Eskimos 31 @ Toronto Argonauts 24

Edmonton Eskimos running back Jerome Messam has been named Gibson’s Finest CFL Canadian Player of the Week for the fifth time this season. In the Eskimos’ 31-24 win over the Argos, Messam had 19 carries for 115 yards, including a 24-yarder, and caught three Ricky Ray passes for 43 yards, including an 18-yarder. Messam also registered a tackle in Friday night’s game.

Messam is ranked second in the league with 964 rushing yards. If Messam rushes for 1,000 yards this season, he will be the first Canadian player to do so since 2000.