By Jack B. Bedell
MontrealAlouettes.com
It almost goes without saying that the CFL is a passing league. The size of the field, the rules of down and distance, and the quality of the athletes on the field almost guarantee the ball will be in the air early and often each week. A good bit of that air assault, though, is set up by the presence of a consistent dependable rushing attack. Nothing puts a team in favourable down and distance situations like a quality running back capable of biting off five or more yards per carry with regularity.
The Argos: Boyd brings the rushing game
This week, the Alouettes face the CFL’s current rushing leader, Cory Boyd, who’s already proven himself to be a very effective high-effort, physical runner just four games into his rookie campaign. Currently, Boyd leads the CFL with 431 yards on 66 carries. He also sits atop the league’s yards from scrimmage totals with 455. At 6.5 yards per carry, Boyd has been a real security blanket for rookie pivot Cleo Lemon, opening a whole list of high-percentage plays on second down for the Argonauts’ offence.
With the rare ability to get both the hard yards inside with strength and big runs outside with breakaway speed, like the 41-yard blast around the left end that jumpstarted the Argos’ comeback last week against the B.C. Lions, Boyd has been the cornerstone of the Argonauts’ attack this season. And you can bet I’ll be keeping a close eye on how the Alouettes’ run defence is able to keep him in check this Thursday night.
The Als: The defence will set the tone
So far in 2010, the Als’ defence has surrendered the fewest net yards rushing (338), the fewest yards rushing per game (84.5), and the fewest first downs 
rushing (21). With active, athletic linebackers like Chip Cox, Shea Emry, and Diamond Ferri flowing to the ball those numbers are no surprise. To contain a runner like Boyd, though, it’s a 12-man job. It’ll be up to ends Anwar Stewart and John Bowman to funnel runs inside to defensive tackles Eric Wilson and Jermaine McElveen and the Als’ fast, aggressive LBs.
When runs do break outside, pursuit angles and team tackling by Étienne Boulay, Mark Estelle, DeAudra Dix, and the rest of the Als’ secondary will be absolutely key to limiting Boyd’s impact on the game.
Allowed to rumble free, a runner like Boyd can stack yards and eat clock. The Toronto Argonauts have thrived on Boyd’s abilities this season, and it’s safe to say they’re tied for first place in the East in large part to Boyd’s success.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Alouettes’ swarming, veteran defence performs against the challenge the Argos’ run game presents. If the Als win that battle, I believe they’ll have the game in hand.
The Alouettes will host the Toronto Argonauts at Montreal’s Percival Molson Stadium this Thursday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. (RDSHD, TSNHD, NRJ, CJAD, CHOM) – tickets are still available by clicking the link below or calling 514-790-1245.
