Chad Kackert RB

celticdb15

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[h=1]Chad Kackert’s “unbelievable journeyâ€￾ concludes with stranger-than-fiction MOP nod[/h]
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By Andrew Bucholtz | 55 Yard Line – Mon, 26 Nov, 2012 1:55 PM EST

Chad Kackert had plenty to celebrate Sunday: a Grey Cup win and a MOP nod.
TORONTO—Argonauts' running back Chad Kackert wasn't even getting the most hype of anyone at his position during Grey Cup week, as the media largely focused on star Calgary RB Jon Cornish, the league's most outstanding Canadian and its West Division nominee for most outstanding player. The Toronto defence shut down Cornish, though, so it was Kackert who made offensive headlines in the Argonauts' 35-22 win Sunday. For the second-straight week, he delivered a dominant performance, picking up 133 rushing yards on 20 carries (6.7 yards per carry), juking around some defenders and just bowling over others, adding 62 receiving yards on a team-high eight catches and picking up the Grey Cup's most outstanding player award along the way. About the only arena he didn't dominate Sunday was the post-game press conference, where he was largely at a loss for words to clarify how a guy few knew much about heading into this year had become one of the CFL's brightest stars, and led a 9-9 team to an incredible home victory in the 100th Grey Cup.

"I can't explain this right now," Kackert said. "It's been one unbelievable journey and we made it."


It's easy to see why Kackert has been so consistently overlooked. Listed at just 5'9'' and 198 pounds (which may well be generous), he's far from an imposing physical presence. He also doesn't have a football resume that jumps out at first glance; the Simi Valley, California native went all the way to the East Coast to play Division I-FCS (the former Division I-AA) football with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, and though he impressed there, he was passed over in the 2010 NFL draft. After a cup of coffee with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent, he came to Toronto in February 2011, but was largely seen as a backup to existing star Cory Boyd.


When the Argos made the unusual August move to release Boyd, though, at that time the league's leading rusher, it paved the way for Kackert's emergence. He's been the team's featured back ever since, and although his 638 yards and five regular-season touchdowns don't stand out at first glance, you have to remember that he only started for half the season and that Toronto's a pass-first team.

What stands out about Kackert is his consistent effectiveness; he averaged 6.4 yards per carry this year, better than any running back with over 30 carries.

In the playoffs, Kackert took his play to even greater heights; he rushed 15 times for 88 yards and a touchdown (5.9 yards per carry) and added 51 yards and another touchdown on four catches in Toronto's first-round win over Edmonton, and then exploded for 139 rushing yards and a touchdown (with a fumble) on just 13 carries (a ridiculous 10.7 yards per carry) in the Argos' East final triumph in Montreal. That paved the way for his remarkable dominance Sunday. Kackert said at the post-game press conference that it may have been a storybook conclusion to his saga so far, but it's stranger than fiction.


"You can't think this up," he said. "You can't write it,either."
 

dwid

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Great news, I remember he was lighting it up for a few weeks while the main back was injured, and then went back to 4th string once the guy was back...not sure how that works out to where he is the next in line due to injury but 4th on the depth chart.

"only 5'9 198 pounds" and hints that it might be lower, yeah Im sure they "generously listed him" at 198 instead of just rounding up to 200. At worst he is 5'8 190 pounds, which is still 10 pounds heavier than Warrick Dunn was. As far as his football resume, yeah Im sure that the CFL is full of stars from big FBS programs that are all bigger in size as well...come on....From what I saw of him, it looks like he could do well in the NFL.
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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Just to think that the Blacksonville Jaguars kept Deji Kerim and his 2.3 YPC over this guy a couple years ago is disgusting.
 

Carolina Speed

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Just to think that the Blacksonville Jaguars kept Deji Kerim and his 2.3 YPC over this guy a couple years ago is disgusting.


It's good to see you posting again TJR. I remember you as a veteran when I first joined CF. I really enjoyed your posts.
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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It's good to see you posting again TJR. I remember you as a veteran when I first joined CF. I really enjoyed your posts.

Thank you very much, I won't be around a lot, but I'll try to stop in from time to time. This is even though I don't have much time for extensive research like I used to. I'm excited to see your posts too CS.
 
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