ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Each week, argonauts.ca showcases one of the marquee matchups for fans to watch out for before the next Argos game. This week, we took a look at a pair of running backs in Hamilton’s DeAndra’ Cobb and the Argos’ Jamal Robertson.
There is little doubt as to who has been the Argos’ most dangerous offensive weapon this season and the Argos’ backfield has been better than it has in years. Jamal Robertson sits only 10 yards away from reaching the 1,000 yard plateau for the first time in his career.
If he should eclipse the mark, he would become only the sixth player in Argos history to do so. Previously, the mark had only been set by five (5) other Argos backs. Most recently, Michael Jenkins, who hit the mark twice, rushed for 1,184 yards in 2001. Prior to Jenkins’ 1,000-yard seasons in 2000 and 2001 were Bill Symons (1968), Doyle Orange (1975), Gil Fenerty (1989) and Robert Drummond (1997).
Robertson has also shown his versatility this season, returning kickoffs in certain situations as well as becoming a reliable target out of the backfield for quarterbacks Kerry Joseph and Cody Pickett. The second-year Argo has also caught 58 passes for 478 yards and has amassed 1,659 total yards this season.
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» Numbers:
990 Yards Rushing
186 Carries
478 Yards Receiving
58 Receptions
1,658 Total Yards
Perhaps the only thing more surprising than the play of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this season could be rookie RB DeAndra’ Cobb. Cobb has impressed everyone by rushing for 901 yards on 153 carries and generating 491 yards receiving on 49 catches. Kenton Keith was added to the Cats’ 9-game injured list in training camp, which propped open the door for Cobb but he busted through it in week 2 when running backs Terry Caulley and Tre Smith sustained injuries in the Ticats’ season opener versus the Argos.
A relatively unknown at the time, Cobb rushed for 100 yards and added another 75 through the air in his debut versus the B.C. Lions and has been a sparkplug in the Tiger-Cats’ offence ever since.
A legitimate candidate for Rookie of the Year consideration, Cobb is destined to reach the 1,000-yard mark before season’s end, despite rushing for under 60 yards in each of his last four games, and will be looking to add to his total this week versus the Boatmen.
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» Numbers:
901 Yards Rushing
153 Carries
49 Receptions
491 Yards Receiving