Less fat, more muscle.
That’s the secret to the fast start and possibly a faster Kory Sheets in 2013.
The running back was just being honest when asked if he lost a little weight over the offseason and why he’s topped his career high in yardage in back-to-back weeks to start the season (131 and 133-yards).
“I’m the same weight, it’s just not fat anymore. It’s muscle. I came in last year out of shape. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be playing football. This year I knew I was coming up and knew I didn’t have to worry about not making the team.”
It was that certainty that gave Sheets the drive to work all that much harder in the offseason to get his body ready for the 18 game season and his individual goal of being the best back in the league.
| Seeking 100 x 3 |
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This week against the Argonauts, Kory Sheets is trying to do something not done by a Rider running back since 2008; run for three straight 100-yard games. Wes Cates accomplished that during the Riders 6-0 start to the ’08 season…More Sheets Stats. |
The first two games have Sheets at the top of the rushing ranks in the CFL but there is a lot of season ahead.
His offseason training should pay off as the season goes along but in the short term, it’s definitely paying off to be the finisher for the Riders when they need to put games away by running out the clock.
Friday’s victory of the Stampeders was case in point.
With four minutes left and a two touchdown lead, the Riders gave the ball to Sheets not once, not twice … but six times. It was a botched snap that ended the drive but nearly three minutes came off the clock.
“Darian had to tell me ‘hey, if you get a little bit winded it’s okay to come out’ and I said, ‘I’m fine. I could do this all day’ so it helps a little bit.”
Call it arrogant or brash but the running back contends he could have gone another four quarters following his 26 rush performance against the Stamps.
Sheets says offensive line in front of him and the way they are coming off the ball, he and Durant haven’t suffered many big hits, which means they don’t feel worn down late in games.
And he’s making sure those blockers get fed.
Sheets started a dangerous precedent by bringing in a local food truck to feed anybody who helped block on a week where he topped 100-yards last season. That means offensive linemen, receivers, full backs, defensive linemen brought in on short yardage and yes, even the quarterback.
Last year wasn’t too big of a blow to Sheets’ bank account and he had just three 100-yard games in 2012.
With two 100-yard performances in the first two weeks of 2013, who knows how high his tab will go?
Sheets is feeling the love from the hoggies up front.
“He understands that we’re working for him and we’re all in it together,” says second year Rider Brendon LaBatte.
“We’re trying to get him the yardage and make sure we’re effective on the ground. It’s just a nice little reward when we are able to go out there and operate at a high efficient level.”
The effective ground game is also impacting the play of Darian Durant. The ability Kory Sheets has out of the back field slows down the ensuing pass rush and brings in the threat of play action.
When the Riders, or any offense for that matter, can get that rolling it’s not only Sheets that flourishes but you start seeing numbers climb in the passing game as well.
“A lot of times in the past, you get the play action called and you don’t really get the respect for it,” adds LaBatte.
“We can sell run and teams are going to think run now other then sell run and they’ll rally to run. So it’s a little different and it’s worked nicely into our play calling and if we can keep going on the ground, hopefully we’ll have (play action) option down the road.”
This week against the Argonauts, Kory Sheets is trying to do something not done by a Rider running back since 2008; run for three straight 100-yard games. Wes Cates accomplished that during the Riders 6-0 start to the ’08 season.
Sheets may not have that goal in mind, but certainly his blockers would love to bring in the food truck three times in the first three weeks of the season.
