By Perry Lefko,
SPORTSNET.CA
Receiver David Boston has been placed on the suspended list by the Toronto Argonauts.
While the Argos won’t comment specifically on why Boston was placed on the suspended list, sources tell Sportsnet.ca it has nothing to do with the 29-year-old player’s conduct.
It is believed he has gone to the U.S. to have a specialist look at a foot problem that may require surgery.
By suspending Boston, the Argos retain his rights but don’t have to account for him on their training camp roster and don’t have to pay him.
If they wanted to, they could have cut him loose, but feel he’s valuable enough to at least retain his rights.
“Why not retain his rights? If you cut him loose, anyone could have the right to sign him,” Argos assistant general manager Greg Mohns told Sportsnet.ca. “He is a very talented player and when he is healthy, he will be an impact player in this league. He has been very professional on and off the field with us and really was looking forward to playing right now, but we will have to wait.”
The move is purely for administration purposes and has nothing to do with Boston’s character or previous off-field incidents in the National Football League.
The Argos signed the six-foot-two, 228-pounder on Apr. 28. Boston was chosen in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals in the 1999 NFL Draft. In 2001, he was selected to the Pro Bowl after recording 98 receptions for 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns.
He signed a seven-year, US$53-million contract that included a $7.5-million signing bonus with the San Diego Chargers in 2003. He had off-field problems that year and a disappointing season andwas dealt to Miami Dolphins.
He tested positive for steroids before the 2004 season and received a four-game suspension. But he tore ligaments in his knee before the suspension and was unable to play for the entire season.
The Dolphins cut him at the end of the year, but re-signed him for the veterans’ minimum for 2005. He played in five games that year before tearing knee ligaments again.
In 2006, Boston signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was released. He re-signed the next year with Tampa, but hurt a foot in the pre-season. The Bucs reached an injury settlement with Boston, who did play in the season opener, coinciding with an arrest for driving under the influence.
