DAVID ALTER
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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The mood around the Argos’ locker room was pretty upbeat despite going through a tough loss in Montreal one day prior. It’s really no surprise given that the team has a lot to be happy about.
Seven wins is all the Argos managed in the previous two seasons combined. They improved to a total of nine during the regular season as well as a playoff victory against Hamilton. That, in itself, is truly remarkable. There are some core players that could be part of the new culture and positivity that head coach Jim Barker has instilled.
Running back Cory Boyd has quickly become a fan favourite. His personality is similar to that of another fan favourite, Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons who won over Argos fans and the city. He’s a man who’s committed to his faith and takes the positive messages from that into his everyday life. On the field he deserves a lot of credit for carrying the Argos offence with his constant ability to bounce off a tackle for extra yards. His play in his first year in the league earned him a CFL All-Star nod.
For Boyd, however, it’s all about finding a home in his long journey through pro-football. The one certainty for the Argos is that he’ll be back next year since he is under contract.
“I have a lot going on in my life outside of football and once that comes together I think you’ll see a better player,” said Boyd. “I’m loyal to those who commit to me and hopefully coach Barker feels enough to commit to me.” Boyd is done chasing around teams and wants some stability; he feels Toronto can be home.
One also has to think Chad Owens is a lock for 2010 Most Outstanding Special Teams Player with the incredible season he had. Owens is in his option year and his plan is to stay to try and build on his recent success. With the exception of one game where he sat out (the final regular season game) Owens said he is most proud of the fact that he was able to stay healthy throughout the season.
“This is my first full professional season since college,” said Owens. “We played 22 games, when you include the pre-season, and you get nicked up every now and then in this game. When you are fortunate to be in the game, you’d be a fool not to give it your all when you see teammates who are on the sidelines who are part of it, but would like to be part of it on the field.”
It was an interesting year for Argos QB Cleo Lemon. You can’t deny his win total this season but everything else, when put under the microscope, points to the fact that despite his experience down south he is very much a rookie in this game.
Head Coach Jim Barker wanted to see some progression from his quarterback and he stuck with Lemon to the end. Wanting to see improvement with each week, Barker was happy about most parts of his QB’s performance, yet refrained from anointing him as the undisputed starter for next season.
“I saw progression in certain aspects, and there were some [parts of the game] where, obviously, he didn’t get good enough,” says Barker. “Those are the decisions we have to make. Can he make those kinds of changes that need to be made in order for us to be successful?”
Chemistry could help Lemon going into next year as the Argos try and follow the model of an Alouettes squad that has made Montreal so successful. Boyd says some players, like himself and Lemon, have been talking about getting together during the summer down in Florida to hold their own unofficial off-season training activities.
“We want to be able to develop the chemistry so players like [me], and Cleo, and Jeremaine [Copeland] have that chemistry installed for next season.”
It’s very easy to point to Lemon as a reason for the Argos’ inability to generate a lot of points on a consistent basis. The issue will be addressed. But from where the Argos came from going into this season, it just wouldn’t be prudent for the team to shuffle the deck at quarterback. I think you have to give Lemon another shot with another training camp to see what he has learned. You can’t build quarterbacks in this league in just one season. If he struggles early next season, you can consider options. Right now, Lemon is the man despite his personal stats.