Jesse Lumsden Offically Done

Not really much of a surprise at this point, but former Ticat and Marauder Jesse Lumsden has retired from football to concentrate on bobsledding. Probably for the best and he's certainly not the first running back to have an injury shortened career. Personally I think back to one game at Ivor Wynne where Lumsden had a long run and was tackled by an opposing player managing to grab his foot. He landed awkwardly on the football and his shoulder was never really the same after that play it seemed. A bright spot on some terrible Ticat teams, Lumsden was a rare non-import starting running back amid a sea of not particularly charismatic American backs. After the draft where there was no running back drafted with fanfare, the search for the next great Canadian back continues.

Hamilton Tigercats Cheerleaders

Hamilton Tigercats Cheerleaders
Originally uploaded by philinator

Here's a photo set from the game on Saturday.

Bizarre that Jesse Lumsden tore his ACL playing for Calgary on the weekend and is done for the season. There's not really much to say.

Kudos to Andy Fantuz for being the first non-import to lead in receiving yards (1380) since the Stamps Dave Sapunjis in 1995 (1655). That pretty much locks down the best Canadian award for him. Congratulations also to the Ticats' Dave Stala who finished 12th overall in receiving with 1,023. Sadly Marquay McDaniel finished with 994 yards. Six yards. Ouch.

Lumsden to Play for Bombers?

There's an article in the National Post about Buck Pierce getting injured, yet again. No surprise there, but at the end of the article it mentions the Bombers interest in another oft injured player, Jesse Lumsden. I predicted that Lumsden would probably not be signed until midway through the campaign. Whether he could last another nine games is another question, that I would be inclined to answer no.

The fact that Calvillo is supposedly not playing this Saturday in Hamilton is welcome news. Which ever backup is playing, hopefully the Ticats can mangle the Alouettes like BC eventually did last Friday. People often point out the success of Montreal GM Jim Popp, but Tigercatatonia wonders how much of that success is due to having Calvillo for a large chunk of those years in Montreal, as opposed to say Jason Maas or Casey Printers.

Lumsden, Argos?

I had meant to post about former Ticat and Marauder Jesse Lumsden being released by Edmonton, but did not get around to it. Certainly sad for an at times great player. In the National Post Toronto GM Adam Rita discussed the possibility of signing Lumsden if healthy. A signing is certainly possible and the Argos seem the logical candidate without a de facto import starting running back, however the biggest risk with signing Lumsden is if he gets injured in the first game like last year and misses the entire season. That salary doesn't count against the salary cap if he goes on the nine game injury list, but it does count against the bottom line and CFL teams (apart from the Riders) can't waste money like that.

My prediction is that Lumsden gets signed part way through the season, rather than go to a training camp. He can't be an every down player any more, but he wouldn't be bad platooning and he is still good coming out from the back field as a receiver.

Also in the Post, a mention of Bob Young's opposition to the West Harbour site.

Lumsden Still Hoping for the Olympics (Really?)

Jesse Lumsden still thinks there's a chance for the Olympics next year in Vancouver, according to this article, although in the photo he still has his arm in a sling. Don't really know what to say.

Jesse Lumsden Apparently Operated on Successfully

Lumsden has had what is described as successful shoulder surgery and is done for the year. I suppose the definition of successful will be known next season. Hopefully he will make it past the first quarter of game one next year. Edmonton has seemed to adjust after a few games to not having Lumsden in the lineup, especially considering their victory last night against Calgary.

Jesse Lumsden, Injured Again

I was watching the Edmonton Winnipeg game, which has been fairly boring so far. However it was sad to see Jesse Lumsden injury his shoulder in the first half. It looks quite serious and considering his history, one has to wonder if Lumsden is done for good. The injury justifies the Ticats decision not to resign Lumsden (although whether there was anything they could do to make him resign is another question), however it is sad to see a Canadian star at a glamour position not succeed.