Throughout my 4 years of playing in the NCAA at BYU, my 10 years of playing pro football with the Stampeders and the past 18 years of broadcasting with QR77, I have seen many good running backs.  As a former Defensive Back, I appreciated how good these running backs were because I had to tackle most of them.

Some running backs I have seen are good because of their “god given” speed (Charles Roberts of Winnipeg). Some because of their brute strength and power (Blake Marshall of Edmonton). Some because of their great quickness (Pin Ball Clemons of Toronto).  Some because of their ability to explode through a hole (Gary Allan of Calgary), a trait you can’t teach but are born with. Some have great vision (Willard Reeves of Winnipeg) and the ability to see open space and run to that open space (Keyvan Jenkins of Calgary). Some have had that 7^th sense to read what will happen in front of them 2 seconds before it happens (Craig James of SMU), such as being able to “read” how an offensive lineman will block a defensive player and where the hole will be before the hole even opens up. Some have had great determination (Tim Petros of Calgary) and that ability to fight for the extra yard. Some have a unique running style whether it’s the low center of gravity (Anthony Cherry of BC) or upward running style (Hershal Walker of Georgia) that enables the running back to break tackles.  Some had developed great techniques such as using their free arm (Gil Fenerty of Toronto) or the ability to keep their feet going (Joffrey Reynalds of Calgary). Some have had great balance (Kelvin Anderson of Calgary). I have seen some running backs with the ability to change speed and “fool” a tackler (Mike Pringle of Montreal). 

I have seen some running backs possess more than one of these characteristics but never have I seen a running back possess all these characteristics – until now. 

Jon Cornish possesses all the abilities I have outlined above. In my opinion, from what I have seen of Jon Cornish this year, Jon Cornish can become one of the greatest running backs in CFL history.  How good Jon Cornish becomes is up to Jon Cornish.  He was blessed with all the abilities and characteristics described above. A running back like that does not come around very often. I just hope Jon keeps his head on straight so his physical abilities continue to shine through and his attitude and mental state does not get in the way of what this running back can become. 

Greg Peterson

Go Stamps Go