TORONTO -- CFL rushing leader Cory Boyd has been released by the Toronto Argonauts.

The Argos made the stunning announcement early Sunday afternoon.

The six-foot-one, 209-pound Boyd was the CFL's leading rusher this season with 447 yards and was averaging a solid 5.5-yards per carry.

Boyd also finished second overall in league rushing in each of the last two seasons.

However, the Argos' offensive gameplan this season had changed immensely under the direction of new head coach Scott Milanovich and veteran quarterback Ricky Ray, acquired in a huge off-season deal with the Edmonton Eskimos.

And general manager Jim Barker said in a statement that Boyd's talents weren't an ideal fit in the Argos' new offensive philosophy.

"After evaluating our entire football team through the first third of the season, we felt this was one of the changes necessary to move our team forward," Barker said. "We believe a different style of play is needed at running back to heighten the success of our new offence and, considering the personnel we already have on our team, this move will help to improve the overall play of our offence and lead us to greater on-field success."

Boyd, who played collegiately at South Carolina, was in his third season with Toronto and had rushed for 2,947 yards in 36 games, averaging a solid six yards per carry.

Boyd also added 83 catches for 551 yards.