Not everyone enjoys being the target of what are commonly referred to as 'heat-seeking missiles' on a football field. But American receiver Cade McDonald embraces the role of return specialist almost as much as he relishes hauling in passes. His versatility could earn him a spot on the Ottawa Redblacks roster this season.
A passion for returns
'I just love how a lot of people think it's hard to do with 12 guys running full speed at you, and then you catching the ball and making people miss,' McDonald said at TD Place on Monday. 'That's my favourite part. It's not hard to do. I have fun with it.'
The 'no yards penalty' in Canada, which keeps cover team members five yards back until the returner touches the ball, is another aspect McDonald appreciates. 'I love it,' he said. 'I hated fair catching in America, so the fact that there's no fair catch rule … I love that I can return everything.'
Competition at camp
McDonald is competing as the fifth American receiver behind Justin Hardy, Geno Lewis, Kalil Pimpleton, and Ayden Eberhardt. Also vying for the spot is Sam Schnee, who was with the Redblacks last season but did not play. Both had solid outings in Friday's 27-12 preseason win over the Montreal Alouettes.
McDonald, 25, listed at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, was Ottawa's top receiver in that game, catching all four passes thrown his way for 73 yards. Schnee, 26, at 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, hauled in 4-of-4 targets for 36 yards. Neither was used as a returner.
Coaching staff impressed
Asked what McDonald showed him in Montreal, head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie said: 'He's been telling me all camp. Cade has had a great camp. He and Sam have very similar body types, but they're high energy, they've got great work ethic, they do the right things. They're just football players. I think Cade's got a really good opportunity with us.'
Background and journey
McDonald began his college career at Michigan State as a walk-on for four years before transferring to Miami of Ohio, where he played for two seasons. The Naperville, Illinois, native then attended a couple of NFL mini-camps and signed with the Cleveland Browns. After participating in OTAs and the preseason with the Browns, he was released and eventually signed with the Redblacks in February.
'Ultimately, I decided I'm going to give it a shot, I'm going to try to play in the CFL because I've heard great things about it,' McDonald said. 'Love the decision I made.'
Schnee, who spent six years at Northern Iowa, had more experience in the offence but only returned three punts for nine yards during his college career.
