ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO– There is no denying it, the most anticipated match-up this Monday night is with the running backs. Cory Boyd is coming back to the Rogers Centre and he and RB Chad Kackert will be under the microscope come kick-off. As a result, we go deeper into the numbers on the two running backs:
An Argo for his entire CFL career, Boyd will return to the Rogers Centre for this first time since being released by the Argos a few weeks ago. In his two and a half years with the Argos he rushed for 2,947 yards and had a total of 18 touchdowns.
In his first game for his new club, Boyd only carried the ball two times for a total of two yards. With a full week of practice under his belt with the Esks, it is likely for Boyd to see an expanded role in the Eskimos offence.
With Hugh Charles sharing the backfield with Boyd, the Eskimos boast one of the most potent rushing offences in the CFL. Though the Argos were able to bottle up Charles in week one (12 carries for 43 yards), having to take into account both Boyd and Charles will prove to be a big task for the Argos defence.
The Argos will for sure be looking to shut down their former teammate and leading the way will be Robert McCune who leads the Argos with 36 tackles on the season.
Kackert was impressive in his starting debut last week going for 94 rush yards and 41 receiving yards to finish with 135 all purpose yardage.
A big reason for the move to release Boyd and promote Kackert was his ability in both the passing game and pass protection. Kackert proved that with his 41 receiving yards on five catches, a yardage total that Boyd came nowhere near close to even though he had separate six and ten reception games. In his piece last week, Don Landry suggested that his quicker first step would help Kackert be more explosive for the Argos in the passing game.
Kackert has a history of success against the Eskimos as he had his best game as a pro against them in 2011. In a start last season Kackert had 20 carries for 139 yards adding two TD’s against the Eskimos. He did fumble once in the game but has worked tirelessly in 2012 to ensure a stronger grip on the ball.
Kackert’s ability to pass protect for Ray will be paramount as the Eskimos boast Ted Laurent on their defensive line. He is tied for second in the league in sacks with five and will be looking to get to the QB. Looking to stop Kackert will be JC Sherritt, who leads the CFL with 58 tackles, and is on pace for 149 which would break the CFL record. He has three games of 10 or more already and no less than 5 in any game.
If Kackert is able to continue his success from last week and keep the Edmonton defence guessing, the Argos chances of winning on Monday night are high.