Lumsden expected to test free agency
Don't expect running back Jesse Lumsden to re-sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats prior to the start of CFL free agency.
By Dan RalphTHE CANADIAN PRESS
Wed., Jan. 28, 2009timer2 min. read
Ticats general manager Bob O'Billovich said Wednesday he's virtually certain the former McMaster star tailback will test the CFL free-agent waters when his contract expires Feb. 16.
"I think Jesse wants to wait and see how people evaluate his value," O'Billovich said. "We'd definitely like to have him back but we'll have to wait and see how it all works out."
The six-foot-three, 226-pound Lumsden has shown throughout his four-year CFL career that he has the physical tools to be one of the league's top tailbacks. He's got the quickness to hit a hole immediately, then shift into high gear and beat a defender in a sprint to the end zone while possessing the strength to get the tough inside yards.
But the 2004 Hec Crighton Trophy winner has had to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery the last two years and been limited to just 19 games over that span. Last year, Lumsden appeared in nine contests with Hamilton, rushing for 584 yards on 87 carries (6.7 yards per attempt) with five TDs, after running for 743 yards on 98 carries (7.6-yard average) and three TDs in '07.
There's no doubt that, when healthy, Lumsden presents a formidable challenge for a defence. Combine his '07-'08 stats and Lumsden has run for 1,327 yards on 185 carries (7.2-yard average), which would put him among the league leaders over the course of a full season.
And over his career, Lumsden has run for 1,797 yards on 285 carries (6.3-yard average) with nine touchdowns.
However, O'Billovich said the harsh reality is Lumsden's potential production has been hampered by injuries.
"The fact is Jesse's been injured the last couple of years and that's something you're going to have to deal with," he said. ``There's no question."
O'Billovich said the Ticats tried to re-sign Lumsden throughout the '08 campaign but it was the player's intention to wait until season's end, then carefully weigh his options. Of course, a big part of that revolves around Lumsden's recovery from his second shoulder operation.
O'Billovich said he hasn't recently spoken to Lumsden about either his football future or how the shoulder is mending because O'Billovich was out of the country attending the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Lumsden has said publicly that the procedure went off without a hitch and he's optimistic it won't be a problem for him in '09.