John Woods
Still searching for an identity on offence, Toronto Argonauts quarterback Cleo Lemon didn't have to search for the words to describe the most important characteristic he wants to see in his unit.
"Toughness is the first thing," Lemon said. "To be a mentally and physically tough team. We want to dictate how we play."
If the Argos were looking for a model of what they'd like to become, they might look at their opponents Wednesday night, the Calgary Stampeders, who arrive in town with a 2-0 record built around toughness on the offensive side of the ball.
With big, physical receivers, and a running back in Joffrey Reynolds who is as durable as any in the CFL, the Argos will face a challenge.
When Calgary and Toronto met in the season opener on July 1, the Stamps controlled more than two-thirds of the time of possession, as Reynolds racked up 116 yards on 17 carries while Toronto struggled to establish its ground game.
That's something the Argos hope won't be repeated Wednesday. But that will depend largely on what sort of game they get out of rookie running back Cory Boyd, who churned out 109 yards on 19 carries last week against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
"He's an outstanding player, we have to use him more," Argos head coach Jim Barker said. "He's a big, physical running back and the first guy rarely makes the tackle. That softens other things for us. I thought [Winnipeg's pass rush]was negated last week because we were able to run the ball at them."
Boyd gives the Argos not only toughness but also versatility in a player who, at 24, appears to have loads of potential in a game that seems suited to his skills. He demonstrated last week against Winnipeg both the strength to move the pile and also the speed to break away. And as the only player in South Carolina Gamecocks history to amass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a career, he also brings the ability to catch the ball.
"The first part of my [college]career, I was playing slot as well, so that works to my advantage," Boyd said. "But my heart is always in the backfield. I like to get my handoff and do my work. This game seems like it's a fit for me. It's a passing league but if you get the run going that's a big plus."
"You take the four- or five-yard plays and the big ones take care of themselves," Boyd added. "Sooner or later you break through that wall but the productivity comes when you're pounding and pounding."
Part of the challenge for Boyd will be running against a defence that has been highly effective against the run so far this young season. After holding Boyd to just 32 yards on eight carries during the season opener, the Stamps kept DeAndra' Cobb of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to just 37 yards on 13 carries.
And for a quarterback such as Lemon who is admittedly still learning and adjusting to the Canadian game, getting a big contribution from Boyd makes a considerable difference.
"It's definitely one of those things where you can dictate to the defence when they have to bring an extra guy into the box to stop the run," Lemon said. "Cory did a great job breaking tackles and that gives me more room to go to guys on the outside. He's a guy who can make you miss with his feet but he'll also put his head down and run you over."