A 1-2 RB punch

[OV Argo]

Was surprised and very happy to see the Argos able to sign ex-EE RB Kevin Brown this off-season (maybe the most explosive RB IMO in the league 2 years back till he fell out of favor there last season).

So, with him added to vet Carey, and if they decide to use both sort of equally for the 1-2 punch (plus commit to lots of ground game), then if both guys got say 10 carries a game and averaged 6 per carry (both are quite capable there) - that could lead to 2 backs having 1000 yard CFL rushing seasons on the same team ? Unlikely maybe, but still the potential is there, and love to see it in the CFL. (not sure it has ever been done before? - gotta do some more research there).

McQuay & Symons were a great 1-2 RB punch for the Argos back in the day - but that was in the days of a 14 game East sched., but when the ground game was more used and important. And just before Leon, Symons & Dave Raimey both had 800 plus yards rushing for the Argos in the 70 season in the 14 games.

[paulwoods13]

I think it's unlikely they will dress Brown, Carey and McMahon in the same game (unless Grant is injured), and I think they are going to want McMahon in the lineup since he's kind of an "X factor" guy. So it might be that we see either Brown or Carey, but not both.

Some of this will depend on how the starting NATs are deployed. I see four on the o-line, two at receiver and two on defence (safety and LB) as the most likely scenario at this point. If they can get this up to nine total (say with a fifth o-lineman, altho IMO that's unlikely, or a third receiver), they will have an extra DI to play with. That might allow them to dress Grant, McMahon and both tailbacks.

[bluto]

I love this.

Opposition defences will have no choice but to respect the run and as a result, 12 will have plenty of tempting matchups downfield to attack.

2 guys get 1000? It's nice to dream of. I think we'll get a better picture of what coach thinks in camp. I'd agree with Paul in that my first thought was of either of Carey or Brown with McMahon as Deontae seems to offer something different than the former two.

[Will]

Was surprised and very happy to see the Argos able to sign ex-EE RB Kevin Brown this off-season (maybe the most explosive RB IMO in the league 2 years back till he fell out of favor there last season).

So, with him added to vet Carey, and if they decide to use both sort of equally for the 1-2 punch (plus commit to lots of ground game), then if both guys got say 10 carries a game and averaged 6 per carry (both are quite capable there) - that could lead to 2 backs having 1000 yard CFL rushing seasons on the same team ? Unlikely maybe, but still the potential is there, and love to see it in the CFL. (not sure it has ever been done before? - gotta do some more research there).

McQuay & Symons were a great 1-2 RB punch for the Argos back in the day - but that was in the days of a 14 game East sched., but when the ground game was more used and important. And just before Leon, Symons & Dave Raimey both had 800 plus yards rushing for the Argos in the 70 season in the 14 games.

I don't know about 2 backs having 1,000 yard seasons, however I believe Ottawa and Edmonton had 2 1000 yard rushers when Ham and Allen were in the early 1990's.

[gilthethrill]

Ottawa had 2 1,000 rushers with RB Josh Ranak & QB Kerry Joseph in 2005. Not exactly a 1-2 RB Punch though.

[OV Argo]

Kevin Brown signed to just be a little used back-up or not dressed at all is just plain stupid & myopic personnel management IMO. There is pretty well zero reason, IMO, that all 3 of Carey, Brown & McMahon can't dress for games, but if there had to be an odd man out there it should be McMahon who is nowhere close to the pure tailback talent of Brown (but McMahon does offer a change-up or big play skills, but often is only in a few plays a game). As far as deployment on the offence, they are going to sit a proven explosive RB like Brown just so they can dress an extra unproven American receiver when they have Brissett, Mital, Mayala, Ungerer (or maybe a draft pick gem receiver) to deploy there ? - maybe if they unearth another Terry Greer, but otherwise, very questionable. Janarion Grant, as the sure-fire returner dressed, can do some duty as receiver if need be.
Note how the EE deployed both Rankin & ex-Argo Leake as feature backs later in the season when they started to win, and combined with Brown's work earlier in the season, those 3 RBs combined for close to 2000 rushing yards on the season. A powerful run game sets up the pass, and Kelly's strong downfield arm will be even more effective with defences scared of and focused lots on the ground game.

[paulwoods13]

Two INT receivers are obvious: Daniels and Coxie. The question (or rather "a" question) is whether they can find a third who can be productive enough to warrant playing. At this time last year no one had even heard of Makai Polk. As good as Brown and Carey are, I'd never choose to have two RBs dressed at the cost of keeping a guy like that out of the lineup. Obviously, Polk himself isn't going to be here (at least for a while) but who's to say they don't find someone just as good?

The other point worth keeping in mind, IMO, is that Ryan Dinwiddie -- in common with every other HC and OC in this league going back decades -- has never committed strongly to a run-heavy attack. So while it's nice to imagine twin RBs averaging 10 carries and 60 yards per game, it's probably not gonna happen.

[OV Argo]

Two INT receivers are obvious: Daniels and Coxie. The question (or rather "a" question) is whether they can find a third who can be productive enough to warrant playing. At this time last year no one had even heard of Makai Polk. As good as Brown and Carey are, I'd never choose to have two RBs dressed at the cost of keeping a guy like that out of the lineup. Obviously, Polk himself isn't going to be here (at least for a while) but who's to say they don't find someone just as good?

The other point worth keeping in mind, IMO, is that Ryan Dinwiddie -- in common with every other HC and OC in this league going back decades -- has never committed strongly to a run-heavy attack. So while it's nice to imagine twin RBs averaging 10 carries and 60 yards per game, it's probably not gonna happen.

As I tried to point out, you don't need a "run heavy attack", for 2 RBs to each average 9 to 10 carries a game. the Bombers have been to 5 straight GCs with a league best rushing game (Andrew Harris and now Oliveira), AND, the EE went to a 2 feature back roster and deployment last season and that helped them win a bunch of games.

HC RD has sometimes shown more use for a run game then most CFL same old play-callers (had 3 different RBs deployed last year), and with the addition of a former 1100+ yard CFL rusher in Brown to team with an already outstanding back in Carey, he could be tempted to feature the ground game even more and give both RBs plenty of work. And if Polk comes back from the NFL (or they find another new stud import receiver) there is IMO zero reason not to be able to dress such a guy AND both Carey & Brown.

[paulwoods13]

Someone should do a statistical analysis to find out how many teams in the last 30 years have had two running backs with 360 carries combined. I bet the number is very low.

For the record, Edm's three RBs combined for 300 carries last year. Each guy was right around 100.

[paulwoods13]

Oliveira had 239 carries for Wpg, no other Wpg RB made the stats list.