There were no surprises during the CFL Awards and the Bombers took home the hardware they were expected to win.
I had the privilege of sitting right behind the Bomber team at the awards show, and behind – as well as one seat over from – Willie Jefferson.
Most Outstanding Lineman
Stanley Bryant has become a mainstay for this award. This is the fourth time in five years that Bryant has won the award, and like some of his teammates he again went back to back!
The Bombers allowed the second fewest sacks this year – 28 sacks – and led the league in touchdown receptions. While this is a credit to the whole offensive line, Stanley Bryant was formally recognized for his efforts.
Stanley Bryant and the rest of the Bomber offensive line will need to keep up that protection for Zach Collaros in the 109 Grey Cup if they are going to walk away with another award…the Grey Cup.
Rookie of The Year
For his effort in leading the league with 1441 reception yards and 16 touchdowns, Dalton Schoen took home the award for Rookie of The Year.
Schoen led the league with 16 touchdown receptions. The closest guy behind him was Dominique Rhymes with 11 – Schoen had nearly 50% more touchdown receptions than the next guy.
Schoen averaged 20.6 yards per catch. To put that into perspective – Dominique Rhymes who was second in receives – averaged 16.5 yards per catch. That puts Schoen’s average just over 5 yards more than the next guy…that is half a first down more, on average!
Coach of The Year
The Head Coach for the Bombers found himself once again up against the Toronto Argonauts coach for the Coach of The Year Award. For the second straight year, Bombers’ Head Coach Mike O’Shea would beat out Toronto’s Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie to win the award. In my mind this was a no-brainer! Mike O’Shea took his team 15-3 this season and has his team in the Grey Cup for a third time in a row! While Ryan Dinwidee’s team finished 12-7.
His continued strong and high-performance culture once again radiated. In 2022 teams once again looked to the Bombers on how to build a winning club that players want to come to and stay with.
In attendance with Mike O’Shea was his wife and two daughters who got to celebrate the award with him!
Most Outstanding Player
Once again Zach Collaros found himself winning the Most Outstanding Player award. This is the second time in as many years that he has taken home that award.
With a 70% completion rating over the 2022 regular season, throwing for 4,183 yards, and with a league leading 37 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions – almost a 3/1 ratio – Collaros was a shoe in to win!
You can actually see me jump up in the background when he won!
Not The End Goal
While these awards are great, this is not the Bombers’ end goal. Make no mistake about it, the Bombers will take these awards but what they are really after in the 109 Grey Cup.
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Written by a Bomber fan, for the Bomber fans.
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