Bomber coach likes newest Bomber QB’s skill set

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This article was published 16/09/2015 (3843 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He was announced the newest member of the Blue Bombers on Monday after a trade for his negotiation rights from Hamilton turned in to a practice roster deal.

On Wednesday, following his first practice with his new club, the team rolled out the proverbial red carpet for Tajh Boyd, the former NCAA sensation with Clemson University, to take questions from reporters for the first time.

“I don’t even know, to be honest,” said Boyd with a smile when asked how he ended up in Winnipeg to play in a country he knows little about, in a league he knows even less. “I’m fortunate to be here, though, and I’m glad to be here.”

For college football fans, an introduction to the 6-1, 220, Boyd is far from necessary. But for those who know little about the native of Hampton, VA, Boyd took Clemson by storm during his three-year tenure as the starting pivot. He set ACC Conference and school records, throwing for more than 11,000 yards and 107 touchdowns. He capped off his senior year by winning the Orange Bowl, a 40-35 decision over Ohio State in a game he was named MVP and set an Orange Bowl record with 505 total yards – 378 through the air and 127 on the ground – to go with five throwing touchdowns and one score he ran in himself.

And after two failed attempts in the NFL – first with the New York Jets who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and most recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers who cut him loose before the start of this season – Boyd is now the latest arm added to the stall of quarterbacks that, besides Matt Nichols in last week’s 22-7 win over the Riders, have come up limp since the injury to Drew Willy in early August.

“I just want to come in and learn and try to pick up the offence as fast as possible,” said Boyd, 24, “ and at the same time just learn the Canadian game.”

Boyd is aware of the learning curve involved with adjusting to the Canadian game, something he saw first hand before he hit the field Wednesday, but said he’s up for the challenge.

“Just sitting in that meeting room, and locker room (before practice) and just watching film, it kind of ‘wows’ you a little bit,” he admitted. “But then you step out here and it’s just football.”

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said he liked what he saw from Boyd in his tape from college and believes his skill set should fit nicely in the CFL. But he does admit it will take time to get him accustomed, both with the playbook and the nuances of the Canadian game.

“We’ll see how fast that comes to him and then we’ll watch him run around in practice and see what he can do,” said O’Shea.