Schoen quick to share expertise

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/05/2024 (512 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was only two years ago that Dalton Schoen arrived in Winnipeg as just another American fighting to keep his pro football dream alive.

He came with an impressive resume — he had been under contract with three NFL teams — but as one of 25 receivers at Blue Bombers camp, making the team was going to be an uphill battle. Just to be safe, his parents made sure to make the 12-hour drive from Overland Park, Kan., to catch a pre-season game in case it was his first and last.

The Schoens don’t have to worry about making that road trip again on May 31 to watch the Bombers host the Stampeders in a tune-up, as their son is one of the most respected pass catchers in the three-down circuit today.

The third-year pro — who has 141 receptions for 2,663 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in 34 career games — is now trying to help the current crop of newcomers find their footing in the Canadian game.

“It’s a cool experience for me. To be someone who kind of set the blueprint for someone to follow is pretty cool,” said Schoen, 27.

“I definitely try to help those guys out where I can. I talk to them and say ‘Hey, I would do this, I would do that’ and drop little nuggets of wisdom where I can.”

One of the young receivers picking his brain is Kody Case — a former standout at South Dakota who tried out for the Indianapolis Colts last year.

“The one big takeaway I have from Dalton is he’s just so smart with the Xs and Os and what the defence is trying to do. He can read that all very quickly. I’m really trying to look at what he does and learn from him,” said Case.

“He’s really good in wide receiver meetings about using his voice and explaining to everyone what he sees and what’s going on.”

“He’s really good in wide receiver meetings about using his voice and explaining to everyone what he sees and what’s going on.”–Cody Case

Despite being in the league for two years, Schoen can spend a lot of time at his learning tree talking about heartbreaking defeats. He joined the back-to-back champs just in time to experience back-to-back Grey Cup losses. Falling short last November against the Montreal Alouettes stung in more ways than one as he gritted through an ankle injury that sidelined him the previous six weeks.

In warmups, Schoen barely moved. He didn’t have much in the tank, but he wanted to reserve every ounce of what he had for the game.

“Obviously, those losses hurt so bad. Anyone who talked to me after the game, I’m sure they could see it, it was killing me,” said Schoen, who re-signed with the club on a one-year deal this past off-season.

“But, I try not to let the intrinsic things be what motivates me. That fire from the loss, is only going to burn for a little bit, it’s going to be short-lived. Whether we won or lost those games, I was going to attack the offseason the exact same way. I’m gonna go out there, stick to my process, and do what I do to prepare to win a Grey Cup this year.”

 

Returner job still wide open

It’s arguably the most competitive battle at training camp.

After 13 days of practice — plus a pre-season game — the Blue Bombers still have no idea who will be returning kicks in Week 1. They’re exploring all options as they currently have four players — Kody Case, Aron Cruickshank, Chris Smith and Josh Vann — battling to fill the void left by Janarion Grant and there is no clear front-runner.

Vann, a University of South Carolina product, is the latest to join the mix after getting cut by the Stampeders last week. He signed with the Bombers on Saturday.

“I was home for 24 hours and then got a call from Winnipeg, so I had to say goodbye to the kids. Luckily, I didn’t unpack,” said the 24-year-old from Atlanta, Ga.

Vann, who saw some pre-season action with the Carolina Panthers last year, brings some playmaking ability to the table as he was South Carolina’s offensive MVP in 2021 after hauling in 43 passes for 679 yards and five touchdowns.

That season ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown team gave him the “You Got Mossed” award — named after hall of famer Randy Moss —which goes to the college or professional player with the best catch of the season. His highlight-reel play was a jump ball he snagged over a defender on SEC rival Georgia.

“I got a taunting penalty after that,” said Vann. “But you know, in some cases, you got a little smack sometimes. But I learned my lesson and haven’t done it ever again since then.”

He’ll have another reason to taunt if he can stick out against the team that cut him on May 31 and earn a job in Blue and Gold.

“I definitely have a chip on my shoulder. I just want to show the world what I can do and I just hope and pray the coaches will see my potential and give me a chance.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31