ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO — After being acquired from Saskatchewan in a trade during this year’s CFL Canadian Draft, punter Jamie Boreham is looking forward to his time with the Argos and following in the footsteps of a one time Argonaut.
The comparisons are already beginning to filter in between Boreham and former Argos punter/kicker Noel Prefontaine, and most of the talk has nothing to do with the quality of their kicks. During his tenure with the Boatmen, Prefontaine was one of the most consistent kickers in the league, but was also not afraid to make tackles if the situation presented itself. “He’s one of the kickers I try and emulate myself after,” said Boreham about Prefontaine. “He can do many things very well.
The comparison between Boreham and Prefonatine is defined mainly by Boreham’s performance last year on special teams, when he made one of the best hits of the year on shifty B.C. Lions receiver/returner Ryan Grice-Mullen. “I’ve been hitting people since college,” Boreham said with a chuckle. He added, “And as far as that hit goes, I actually thought I missed him, but I guess I didn’t.”
With the loss of Justin Medlock, who exercised the option year of his contract and signed with the Washington Redskins of the NFL, and the recent release of Eddie Johnson, Boreham will have ample opportunity to showcase both his punting prowess and field goal skills to the Argos’ new coaching staff and, more specifically, new special teams coordinator, Mike O’Shea.
Training Camp is slated to start in early June for the Boatmen, and Boreham should fit in easily with his “new” teammates. During his high school football career, Kevin Eiben was Boreham’s holder. While in college (for one season) in Saskatchewan, Chad Rempel was his long snapper. Incidentally, Rempel has been working hard this off-season and will compete for the starting long snapper position in training camp.
Only time will tell if the chemistry developed in their younger playing days will translate into success with the Double Blue.
To see Boreham and his teammates live, please call (416) 341 – ARGO (2746) for ticket information. The Argos open their pre-season schedule against the provincial rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 13.