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Geroy Simon has been the consummate professional during personal down times this year after being chosen the CFL's most outstanding player in 2006.

Seems he'd rather be a winner than a whiner.

The B.C. Lions' ice-cool slotback merely shrugs his shoulders these days when asked about a decline in his pass receptions. What can he do? The Leos run the football more than last year when Simon caught 105 passes, 15 for touchdowns.

Today, when the CFL announces its 2007 awards finalists, Simon's name will not be among them. Joe Smith, a powerful running back, got the B.C. nomination for his ground work.

Simon has caught a pass in every Lions game this season, but not many early in the schedule when B.C. began establishing the run with Smith.

"It's been a struggle, but overall it's been great because we've got the best team in the league," Simon said yesterday. "I knew there would be some struggles because teams try new things to try and stop your success.

"We have a really close team and that always makes everything easier."

Simon goes into the final regular-season game Saturday against the Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Place with 67 catches for 1,082 yards. Last season he gained a whopping 1,856 yards catching passes.

Simon is a typical receiver in that he always thinks he's open, but the ball didn't always go his way this year. He also had a few uncharacteristic drops and has had three quarterbacks with which to deal.

Still, the 32-year-old import from Johnstown, Pa., has consistently taken the high road when discussing his situation.

"My goal is to win the Grey Cup [again] and that's all that really matters," Simon said. "All the personal stuff is out the window.

"We're on our way to achieving the ultimate goal. Everybody would like to have individual success, but the goal is to win."

Simon admitted being frustrated earlier, such as on July 13 when he caught only a single ball against the archrival Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"When you're accustomed to catching a certain amount of balls, and having 100-yard game after 100-yard game, there is frustration when it doesn't happen," he said. "It made it easier when we were winning. That kind of cures everything."

Simon had an eight-catch game when the Lions faced the Roughriders on Sept. 22 and last weekend against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats he caught five passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.

The player, known for his defiant stance taken in the end zone after touchdown catches, has posed only four times this season.

Simon learned early in his developing years at the University of Maryland that team came before individual.

"I had success and I liked it, but I wasn't always on winning teams," Simon recalled. "I would see other guys that were really good and they would always put the team first. The way you win is playing as a team, not as individuals."

This year Simon didn't have Dave Dickenson or Buck Pierce throwing to him all the time because new offensive co-ordinators Steff Kruck and Dan Dorazio wanted to establish a running game. Injuries then put the top two quarterbacks on the sideline and Simon had to get in sync with Jarious Jackson.

"It takes a while to be in rhythm with another quarterback," Simon said. "Now I think Jarious and I have a good understanding. If you're open, he'll find you eventually."

Simon said, without batting an eye, that he's always open.

"I'm not saying that because that's what you're supposed to say," he continued. "I feel like I'm always open and can always make a play."

The Lions went 13-5 last year on the way to a Grey Cup championship. Even with the injuries to key personnel this season, Simon believes B.C., 13-3-1, is even better.

"We're smarter and we play more as a team," he added. "We don't rely on just one person. At times, we did that last year. Everybody contributes. It's been really good for us."

Simon also has been a mentor for younger receivers Paris Jackson, Cory Rodgers and Josh Boden, just as Milt Stegall was many years ago when Simon began his CFL career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"I know Geroy was frustrated earlier in the year," Lions head coach Wally Buono said. "But he didn't let it get personal and dealt with it well.

"He's always been a good guy and a good person. That's why he's so well respected."

Special to The Globe and Mail