Head 2 Head: Boyd/garrett

Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Chris Garrett watched from the sidelines as starting running back Fred Reid and backup Carl Volny suffered season-ending knee injuries September 24th in Toronto.

To many outside observers, the Blue and Gold rushing attack seemed to be in desperate need of a reliable tailback and as he was activated from the practice roster, Garrett wanted to make sure that he was that guy. 

In four starts since the injuries to his fellow ball carriers, Garrett has rushed for 353 yards and three touchdowns. In only his second career start he registered Winnipeg’s first 100-yard rushing game of the season; a 131-yard performance in Hamilton.

Garrett has drawn praise from Head Coach Paul LaPolice for his patient running style and his ability to see the blocks before exploding through the hole. He attended training camp with Winnipeg but was released before the start of the season only to re-join the club on the PR in August.
 
With Winnipeg tied for first place and the playoffs quickly approaching, LaPolice hopes that Garrett continues to evolve as a runner and helps lead his team deep into the playoffs.
 

Cory Boyd is only 55 yards away from his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. The second-year back will be looking to go over the mark this Friday versus a Blue Bombers squad which he rushed for 109 yards against last month.
 
What makes Boyd’s quest for another 1000-yard season more impressive is that he missed four games earlier in the year.  Had he been healthy, he likely would have been near the top, if not the leader, among CFL backs in rushing yardage.  Last season he finished second in the CFL in rushing with 1,359 yards, only 37 behind Winnipeg’s Fred Reid.

Boyd, who had another 100-yard game last week versus Edmonton, will have to continue his strong play behind an offensive line that has seen its share of changes in recent weeks. 

Already without the services of Taylor Robertson and Rob Murphy, the injury bug has taken a significant bite out of the Double Blue blockers, as Dominic Picard sits as the only player who has started all 16 games along the line.

The Argonauts need Boyd to eat up yards and help in avoiding avoid second and long situations, especially with a passing game that has seen its share of struggles this year. Winnipeg’s defence thrives on getting after the quarterback and forcing turnovers, but if Boyd can establish himself early in the game the Bombers will be forced to keep an eye on the run.