Obviously Lumsdens status is of much more significance than Stegalls but would be nice to know if he is playing or not even though he should not be 100% and how much chemistry can he possibly have with Dinwiddie anyway. Lumsden status is a MUST KNOW however before making a play on that game. No player is of such importance to their team in the league than he is. Just compare the Ti-Cats record with and without him on the field.
Lumsden Will Play!
Star Ticat Jesse Lumsden says he's 'ready to go' against the Eskimos
<!-- PUBLISH DATE -->
July 22, 2008
<!-- AUTHOR 1 -->Ken Peters
<!-- CREDIT 1-->The Hamilton Spectator
<!-- ARTICLE CONTENT-->(Jul 22, 2008)
Goodbyes, hellos, returns and addresses.
The Tiger-Cat practice had a bit of it all yesterday.
There was a goodbye. Import rush end Charlton Keith paid the price for the anemic Cat pass rush.
Keith, who joined the Cats last September and started eight games, was released yesterday.
In his place, the Ticats signed former Calgary Stampeders' linebacker Cornelius Anthony, who played three seasons under Cat defensive co-ordinator Denny Creehan in Calgary. The 6-foot-1, 222-pounder was cut by the Stamps this past March.
Anthony can not only play linebacker but also line up as a rush end.
There was a return. Cat star tailback Jesse Lumsden, who missed the Cats' last contest with a right knee strain, showed up to practice sporting a brace and heavy tape on the injured knee.
But Lumsden, the Canadian Football League's leading rusher, announced he'll be in the backfield when the 1-3 Ticats host the 2-2 Eskimos Friday night.
Game time is 7 p.m. at Ivor Wynne Stadium. TSN has the broadcast but the Cats say the game will be blacked-out locally unless 90 per cent of the 29,000 stadium's seats are sold out.
"The knee is feeling good. Last week was a precautionary (step) because the doctor felt it wasn't safe for me to go out there. But it feels good. I was able to run on it last week. I'm ready to go, I ran it real hard today and it felt good," he said.
The Cats sure need Lumsden. The Tiger-Cats were waxed 43-16 by Calgary on Thursday and limited to just 103 yards rushing. Their leading rusher was backup QB Richie Williams who mopped up in the fourth quarter.
Lumsden moved to silence cynics who see the latest hurt as just another example that the Burlington-raised back is injury-prone.
He said he only missed the Calgary contest because it was a doctor's call.
"They (the doctors) felt if I sat one game I would be able to play the rest of the season as opposed to have something potentially happen. That was their train of thought. I feel good, I'm ready to go and I'm going to play as hard as I possibly can for as long as I can," he said.
Hamilton head coach Charlie Taaffe said Lumsden is expected to play Friday.
"I certainly do. I'd say he is still day-to-day but he did everything today in practice. We just have to see if it (the knee) quiets down. If he doesn't have any adverse reaction after today than he should be fine," Taaffe said.
There was also a unique address to the club after practice. That came from quarterback Casey Printers, who urged his team-mates to be mentally sharp for their next contest.
"He asked if he could have a minute to speak to the team. I thought his words were well-said. It was about accountability. He was the first to say he was not mentally prepared to win that (Calgary) game.
"They've decided as a team that as soon as practice is over they are going to shower up, have a bite to eat and watch the practice tape as a full offensive and defensive unit together," Taaffe said.
"We didn't have a good game anywhere," the Hamilton head coach said. "Upfront wasn't what it needed to be. We were out of sync is the best way I can describe (it)."
* * *
Taaffe said the Cats need to do something to improve pass pressure. Cats rank in the middle of the pack with seven sacks.
"We have to get better and if it requires different players than so be it, that's what it will be," he said.
Taaffe stressed Keith wasn't the only member of the front four who has been under-performing.
The Hamilton head coach said Anthony brings experience and explosiveness.
"He has linebacking skills and he has quickness off the edge," Taaffe said.
* * *
Receiver Tony Miles suffered a hamstring injury in Calgary and remains questionable for Friday night's contest.
* * *
Printers played poorly in Calgary and the sub-par performance was magnified by the fact that Hamilton's highest-paid player has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season.
"I have to say I don't think I've experienced this before, this far," Taaffe said.
"The worst thing he can do is he hears that and then he starts pressing. He has had opportunities but he has missed them.
"He just needs to go out and play and ultimately he will be judged on how many times he gets the team in the end zone and how many games we win."
* * *
The Ticats haven't owned many teams of late but the Eskies are one of them. The Cats are 4-0 against the Eskies in the past four at Ivor Wynne.
kpeters@thespec.com 905-526-3388
For more Tiger-Cat coverage check out catchat.thespec.com
For an audio version of the Jesse Lumsden interview with Ken Peters, go to catchat.thespec.com
Star Ticat Jesse Lumsden says he's 'ready to go' against the Eskimos
<!-- PUBLISH DATE -->
July 22, 2008
<!-- AUTHOR 1 -->Ken Peters
<!-- CREDIT 1-->The Hamilton Spectator
<!-- ARTICLE CONTENT-->(Jul 22, 2008)
Goodbyes, hellos, returns and addresses.
The Tiger-Cat practice had a bit of it all yesterday.
There was a goodbye. Import rush end Charlton Keith paid the price for the anemic Cat pass rush.
Keith, who joined the Cats last September and started eight games, was released yesterday.
In his place, the Ticats signed former Calgary Stampeders' linebacker Cornelius Anthony, who played three seasons under Cat defensive co-ordinator Denny Creehan in Calgary. The 6-foot-1, 222-pounder was cut by the Stamps this past March.
Anthony can not only play linebacker but also line up as a rush end.
There was a return. Cat star tailback Jesse Lumsden, who missed the Cats' last contest with a right knee strain, showed up to practice sporting a brace and heavy tape on the injured knee.
But Lumsden, the Canadian Football League's leading rusher, announced he'll be in the backfield when the 1-3 Ticats host the 2-2 Eskimos Friday night.
Game time is 7 p.m. at Ivor Wynne Stadium. TSN has the broadcast but the Cats say the game will be blacked-out locally unless 90 per cent of the 29,000 stadium's seats are sold out.
"The knee is feeling good. Last week was a precautionary (step) because the doctor felt it wasn't safe for me to go out there. But it feels good. I was able to run on it last week. I'm ready to go, I ran it real hard today and it felt good," he said.
The Cats sure need Lumsden. The Tiger-Cats were waxed 43-16 by Calgary on Thursday and limited to just 103 yards rushing. Their leading rusher was backup QB Richie Williams who mopped up in the fourth quarter.
Lumsden moved to silence cynics who see the latest hurt as just another example that the Burlington-raised back is injury-prone.
He said he only missed the Calgary contest because it was a doctor's call.
"They (the doctors) felt if I sat one game I would be able to play the rest of the season as opposed to have something potentially happen. That was their train of thought. I feel good, I'm ready to go and I'm going to play as hard as I possibly can for as long as I can," he said.
Hamilton head coach Charlie Taaffe said Lumsden is expected to play Friday.
"I certainly do. I'd say he is still day-to-day but he did everything today in practice. We just have to see if it (the knee) quiets down. If he doesn't have any adverse reaction after today than he should be fine," Taaffe said.
There was also a unique address to the club after practice. That came from quarterback Casey Printers, who urged his team-mates to be mentally sharp for their next contest.
"He asked if he could have a minute to speak to the team. I thought his words were well-said. It was about accountability. He was the first to say he was not mentally prepared to win that (Calgary) game.
"They've decided as a team that as soon as practice is over they are going to shower up, have a bite to eat and watch the practice tape as a full offensive and defensive unit together," Taaffe said.
"We didn't have a good game anywhere," the Hamilton head coach said. "Upfront wasn't what it needed to be. We were out of sync is the best way I can describe (it)."
* * *
Taaffe said the Cats need to do something to improve pass pressure. Cats rank in the middle of the pack with seven sacks.
"We have to get better and if it requires different players than so be it, that's what it will be," he said.
Taaffe stressed Keith wasn't the only member of the front four who has been under-performing.
The Hamilton head coach said Anthony brings experience and explosiveness.
"He has linebacking skills and he has quickness off the edge," Taaffe said.
* * *
Receiver Tony Miles suffered a hamstring injury in Calgary and remains questionable for Friday night's contest.
* * *
Printers played poorly in Calgary and the sub-par performance was magnified by the fact that Hamilton's highest-paid player has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season.
"I have to say I don't think I've experienced this before, this far," Taaffe said.
"The worst thing he can do is he hears that and then he starts pressing. He has had opportunities but he has missed them.
"He just needs to go out and play and ultimately he will be judged on how many times he gets the team in the end zone and how many games we win."
* * *
The Ticats haven't owned many teams of late but the Eskies are one of them. The Cats are 4-0 against the Eskies in the past four at Ivor Wynne.
kpeters@thespec.com 905-526-3388
For more Tiger-Cat coverage check out catchat.thespec.com
For an audio version of the Jesse Lumsden interview with Ken Peters, go to catchat.thespec.com
HAMILTON - Jesse Lumsden, the CFL’s third-leading rusher, will be in the lineup against the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday night according to the Hamilton Spectator.
Lumsden led the CFL in rushing before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss last week’s game against the Calgary Stampeders. Hamilton lost the game and had difficulties with the run game in Lumsden’s absence.
The news of Lumsden’s return bodes well for the Cats’ offence.
"The knee is feeling good," Lumsden told The Spectator. "Last week was a precautionary (step) because the doctor felt it wasn't safe for me to go out there. But it feels good. I was able to run on it last week. I'm ready to go, I ran it real hard today and it felt good."
The Ti-Cats host the Eskimos at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m.
With files from the Hamilton Spectator
Lumsden led the CFL in rushing before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss last week’s game against the Calgary Stampeders. Hamilton lost the game and had difficulties with the run game in Lumsden’s absence.
The news of Lumsden’s return bodes well for the Cats’ offence.
"The knee is feeling good," Lumsden told The Spectator. "Last week was a precautionary (step) because the doctor felt it wasn't safe for me to go out there. But it feels good. I was able to run on it last week. I'm ready to go, I ran it real hard today and it felt good."
The Ti-Cats host the Eskimos at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday night at 7 p.m.
With files from the Hamilton Spectator
And anytime you mention Milt Stegall, all I can think of is this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBAB1xF_lY4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBAB1xF_lY4
