Sunday, in a surprising move, the Toronto Argonauts released current leading CFL rusher Cory Boyd. After six games, Boyd has run for 447 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Chad Kackert is expected to replace Boyd at the starting running back position.
Just hours later, Boyd agreed to terms with the Edmonton Eskimos, showing that at least one other CFL team (and probably more than that) recognizes his huge value on the field.
Both Argos General Manager Jim Barker and Head Coach Scott Milanovich stated Boyd currently does not fit into their newly revised offensive plan in 2012 of putting more emphasis on passing the football. In addition, Milanovich stated “there’s more to playing tailback than the numbers.” Rumours began floating around Monday that Boyd became a distraction in the Argos locker room and upset many plays were not coming his way. Former Argo lineman Rob Murphy complained Boyd was two-faced. He would be very pleasant and nice to the media praising God, but when the cameras were off, he revealed his selfish side.
I make no bones about my dislike for the Toronto Argonauts and I like to remind everybody of that when the opportunity presents itself. And I’ve never really been a Cory Boyd fan either, probably because he played for that dreaded blue team. I do my best to put feelings aside when writing about the double blue, but this decision by Argos management really puzzles me. I can’t believe they couldn’t come to an agreement with Boyd and work this issue out. Also, one doesn’t need to be an offensive coordinator to understand the importance of having a balanced attack and have opposing defences guess whether the offense will run or throw the ball.
Kackert is excellent, but he is not Cory Boyd. Kackert doesn’t have the same gumption as Boyd does, and won’t fight for those extra yards with the same vigour as Boyd either. As a result, the Argos won’t gain as many yards on the ground and will resort to passing the ball more often. Opposing defences will then key on the passing game and blitz quarterback Ricky Ray, who cannot escape danger when the pocket collapses, resulting in more sacks being given up by the Argos. This new Argo aerial attack is also struggling too. Ray threw four interceptions in an 18-9 loss to the BC Lions in week five of CFL action. So you see, a poor management decision can very much have a snowball effect.
Milanovich also stated this decision was made so the Argos could become a winning football team, instead of a .500 one. The bottomline is that I think this was a poor, shortsighted decision by the Argos that ultimately could cost them a Grey Cup berth at home this November.
What do you think?
…and that is the Last Word.
Feel free to leave comments below.
