Four Bombers up for CFL awards

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This article was published 05/11/2022 (1298 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When you win back-to-back Grey Cups and you’re in the process of trying to win another, it can be hard to take a step back and realize how special it is to have four members of your organization nominated for CFL awards.

Quarterback Zach Collaros (Most Outstanding Player), Dalton Schoen (Most Outstanding Rookie), Stanley Bryant (Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman), and Mike O’Shea (Coach of the Year) will all be in Regina for Grey Cup week as West Division representatives for individual accolades. It’s the second year in a row the Bombers have had four league finalists.

But unless the entire team is there in two weeks playing for a championship, that doesn’t mean much to this group.

The Bombers will host the winner of Sunday’s West semifinal between the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders on Nov. 13.

“I think for myself, the individual achievements are so secondary compared to what we have building as a team,” said Schoen, a Kansas State product and a lock to win the top rookie trophy.

“We’ve had a great year as a team, too, but everything that truly matters is still left to play for so that’s our goal and that’s what keeps us showing up ready to work every single day.”

Collaros has an opportunity to become the first player since Montreal Alouettes Hall of Fame quarterback Anthony Calvillo (2008-09) to win two straight MOP awards. Dieter Brock (1980-81) is the only Bomber to ever accomplish the feat. Collaros will go head-to-head with Montreal receiver Eugene Lewis.

Lewis had an exceptional year, 91 catches, 1,303 yards and 10 touchdowns, but Collaros is the heavy favourite.

“It’s an unbelievable honour, obviously,” said Collaros, who’s thrown for 4,183 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this year.

“It’s something that doesn’t come without great teammates, great coaches, a great organization, just a great supporting cast.”

“Usually, the quarterback gets all the praise or the blame and we’ve had a really good season, with a lot of guys playing football at a very high level. I happened to get the recognition for it.”

Bryant also won last year, becoming the first player in league history to win the best offensive lineman award three times. For the second year in a row, Bryant, now 36, is matched up against Brandon Revenberg of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“He’s just a special guy, special player, obviously very talented, very smart,” said Collaros on Bryant.

“He keeps it fun and is just a great teammate, easy to work with. I know the guys up front love him as well. Just having him around puts me at ease for sure. He’s just an unbelievable player.”

Schoen’s competition, as such, is Alouettes receiver and Delta, B.C., native Tyson Philpot, who has nearly 1,000 fewer receiving yards.

“It’s pretty special to be nominated for something like that,” Schoen said. “But it’s all about the pieces around me. It’s the other receivers I get to play with, it’s (Collaros), it’s the O-line doing its job. It’s the whole unit and the culture that we have here that have made it so easy for me to step right in and find some success.”

O’Shea is once again a finalist alongside Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. O’Shea edged out Dinwiddie in 2021 and there’s a good chance he’ll do it again after leading the Bombers to the best record in the league (15-3) despite being hammered by injuries all year. The Argos finished in first place in the East with an 11-7 record.

“We’ve got so many other things going on right now that are very important that I don’t allow myself time to really think about it,” O’Shea said. “I’m not saying it’s not a big honour, I’m just saying I don’t devote any time to thinking about it.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31