Lumsden runs to Edmonton

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This article was published 18/02/2009 (6376 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT took four months, but Danny Maciocia finally got his man.

The Edmonton Eskimos signed free-agent running back Jesse Lumsden on Tuesday to a one-year deal, plus an option. The move comes after the Eskimos were unsuccessful in acquiring the speedy tailback from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats prior to the CFL trade deadline in October.

“He’s one of the premier backs in our league,” Maciocia said. “He can run with authority and power but can also distance himself from the defence.

“We think he’ll be an impact player here.”

The move is a homecoming of sorts for Lumsden, who is an Edmonton native. His father, Neil, is a former Eskimos player.

Neil Lumsden spent the final six seasons of his 10-year CFL career with the Eskimos (1980-’85), helping the club win three Grey Cup titles (1980-’82). He was named the outstanding Canadian in the ’81 championship game. Neil Lumsden also played for Toronto and Hamilton after helping the University of Ottawa capture the ’75 Vanier Cup.

“I’m very excited to join a team with a winning tradition, and an organization that is family oriented,” Jesse Lumsden said in a statement. “As a young boy, I spent a lot of time in the Eskimo dressing room and it’s great to return to play for the Eskimos.”

The Eskimos also added to their defence Tuesday. Edmonton sent receiver Brock Ralph to Winnipeg for defensive back Jason Nugent and future considerations in a swap of non-import players.

Nugent appeared in 15 games last season and had 16 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception.

Ralph had 13 receptions for 164 yards in 10 games in 2008.

There was no shortage of interest in Lumsden as Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Hamilton were in the running for the former Hec Crighton Trophy winner. But Maciocia believes Lumsden’s familiarity with Edmonton and the opportunity to start at tailback factored in his decision to re-locate to Alberta after four seasons in Hamilton.

“I was on the phone with Jesse, his father and Dan Kepley (Edmonton’s linebackers coach and former Eskimos teammate of the elder Lumsden) and we never talked numbers,” Maciocia said. “We talked about being Canadian, of being a tailback and coming in and being the guy.

“The next day it was just Jesse and I on the phone talking about specifics… I think tradition came into play.”

Lumsden becomes the last of the big-name CFL free agents to come to terms as the other top names made their commitments Monday on the opening day of free agency.

On Monday, Maciocia dipped into the free-agent waters to secure Canadian safety Scott Gordon, all-star linebacker Maurice Lloyd, non-import offensive lineman Kyle Koch (to replace departed starter Joe McGrath) and fullback Graeme Bell.

— The Canadian Press