By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Run, Larry, run!
When Larry Taylor stands alone, punters beware – it’s very possible that the next time you see him he’ll be alone in the end zone.
Since permanently joining the Als following a brief stay on the practice roster in 2008, Taylor has built himself a reputation of being one of the league’s most dangerous return men.
The former UCONN Huskie leads the league in average return yards and touchdowns since his ’08 arrival and that doesn’t even include his two touchdown, 161-yard performance in last year’s East Division Final against Edmonton.
This year has been no different for Taylor as the 5-foot-6, 177-pound Florida native has been a thorn in punters’ sides in every game this season. However, due to his game-breaking abilities, opposing teams have grown wary of the possibilities that could ensue once Taylor gains possession and have since adapted to his style of play.
But regardless of what strategies are used against him, Taylor still manages to find his way to the end zone, or at the very least in good field position. His quick feet were on display last Friday night at Percival Molson stadium, as Taylor returned a Jamie Boreham offering 68 yards to give the Als a lead en route to their 34-25 win at the expense of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
So whether it’s off the bounce or on the run, it’s likely that Taylor will lift fans off the edge of their seats – his reputation depends on it.
Reid breaks 15-year-old mark
After hitting a roadblock in the shape of the Montreal Alouettes defence in Week 7, Winnipeg running back Fred Reid rebounded quite nicely in Week 8.
Reid rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, and broke former Bomber Blaise Bryant’s 15-year mark of 246 yards for the franchise’s single-game rushing record in Winnipeg’s 37-10 victory over the BC Lions. Reid was quick to give credit to his offensive line.
“Just about every play, I was in the secondary,” Reid told TSN.ca. “I have to give props to the O-line. They opened some big holes tonight.” The Bombers now sit at 3-5-0; good enough for third place in the East Division and just two points back of Hamilton who have a game in hand.
How will the West be won?
If you think the CFL’s West Division is tight now, just wait until Week 9 is in the books. With a differential of just two points between the first-place Eskimos and the last-place Lions, there is little room for error heading into the mid-stages of the season, and with two crucial cross-division matchups slated for this week, error should be avoided at all costs.
The Eskimos will play host to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and with a victory can take sole possession of first place over the Roughriders, who also have eight points but have also played one more game than the Eskies.
Should Ricky Ray and Eskimos come up on the short side of the score, then depending on the result between the Calgary and Toronto matchup, fans may be faced with a three-way tie for first in the West.
So who is the best in the West? We’re a very long way from finding the answer.
