DAVID ALTER
Special To Argonauts.ca
David Alter is a reporter and sportscaster for Toronto’s Sports Radio THE FAN 590. David covers the Argos and has covered football at every level dating back to 2003.
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There wasn’t a whole lot of optimism during the offseason when the brightest spot on the Argos offence decided to head west to ply his trade with the B.C. Lions.
The Boatmen looked to Cory Boyd to fill that role and stuck with him, even during a difficult time. Boyd suffered a concussion early in training camp. Instead of giving him his outright release, the team kept him around seeing something special.
When Boyd arrived, he was fully aware of what Jamal Roberston accomplished as a member of the double blue. If Boyd didn’t know prior to camp, reporters, like myself, reminded him on a regular basis.
Boyd wears the number ‘3’, which has deep religious meaning to him. He chose this number once training camp officially came to an end but he started with the number ‘25’.
“You know, with me having the dreads and being a running back and Jamal having the dreads and him wearing the 25, I just didn’t always want to be put in that limelight; where he’s the next coming of that person, I’m a totally different person from that guy,” says Boyd about Robertson. “I’ve never met the guy but I know he’s a good player, from what his stats show. Hopefully, I can surpass that or even come close to it.”
Boyd had 32 yards on eight carries in the Argos’ season opening loss in Calgary. He has since exploded for 251 combined yards, along with a touchdown, in the two victories. His play has allowed the Argos to keep the opposing defences guessing with an established run game. Boyd knows this wouldn’t be possible without an offensive line that helped create the lanes.
“I haven’t ever had an o-line that was as consistent and quick, makes their blocks and is there on time. I haven’t had that,” says Boyd. “The best thing about our line is that we’re gelling like one. I feed off them and they feed off me. If they keep pushing up the holes and opening them up, I’m going to keep running through them. We’re going to make each other look good.”
Jamal Robertson had a great first two games this season before a disastrous week three where he carried six times for just four yards while fumbling the ball twice. He’ll no doubt be looking to bounce back against the team he used to carry for.
Boyd won’t let this game be about himself vs. Robertson. It’s very early in the season, but the numbers don’t lie. If Boyd can break through for another big game, he’ll likely never hear the comparison again