Former McMaster and Tiger-Cat running back is earning praise from Redskins'

Early reports from training camp have been effusive in their praise of the former Hamilton Tiger-Cat and McMaster Marauder.

USA Today called him the player of the opening week for Washington. The Hampton Roads (Virginia) Daily Press said his has been the most impressive showing by anyone at camp. And the Roanoke Times says he's taken significant steps toward making the team.

Most important, however, has been the praise of head coach Joe Gibbs, whose opinion is the one that really matters in the end. Gibbs has gushed at Jess' quickness and called his promising. This will lead to more work.

Some of that work came last week in a controlled scrimmage with the Baltimore Ravens.

In front of 47,000 fans -- more people than he'd ever played in front of in his life -- Lumsden collected a game-high 32 yards, including the Skins' only touchdown on a 12-yard run.

On Sunday night (televised on NBC at 8), he's expected to get even more work and a longer look when Washington visits the Cincinnati Bengals in both teams' first exhibition game.

The Redskins are deep at running back so Jess' could have an uphill battle to land a spot, but it wouldn't be his first.

He's even managed to get the attention of the team's rabid fan club, in an interview, on thehogs.net this was exchanged:

You saw a lot of action in Saturday's scrimmage, you saw a lot of special teams work... obviously that must have given you a lot of confidence. What positive and/or negative feedback did you receive from the coaching staff after the game?

Jesse: You know, there are always corrections to be made, so I need to do a few things better on special teams and I need to do a few things better on offense but I did receive some very positive feedback and it definitely helps.

THN: I thought your teams work was excellent. There were a few kick returns where you were the first one down the field and kept your lane... I'm sure Danny Smith was probably happy with that...

Jesse: He's always very quick to compliment somebody if they do something right.

Perhaps the only misstep in coverage of him thus far has been American newspapers' insistence on calling his alma mater McMaster College. Yeesh.

Later,
Kenaz