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
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Harper is drowning in the Mid-East mire of turmoil
Governments, like the one created by Orwell love to change history. More interestingly still, they sometimes totally re-create it.
Last month, Stephen Harper's starting point for the mid-east crisis was Hezbollah's seizure of two Israeli soldiers as bargaining chips and its periodic cross-border rocket attacks. Now, as events accelerate forward, the prime minister has taken out his sharpie and began editing.
This week's startling move to appoint a Muslim Liberal as a special Middle East and South Asia adviser follows last week's subtle "adjustments" in Harper's original approval of the Israeli assault on Lebanon as "measured." Both are, of course, just political BS.
Instead of admitting he has no clue what he is talking about, the prime minister went shopping for someone knowledgeable in mid-east affairs. That man was Wajid Khan. His job now is to is to be Harpers "mind speak" editor and readjust the dates for the first salvoes of war. Harper now has an adviser who can be either ignored or used to embarrass Liberals. The later will not happen, but should. Harper will maintain his carefully crafted image of a leader who isn't afraid to make unpopular decisions.
This is the prime minister's public persona. In contrast to his progressive Conservative election campaign performance, Harper in power is the Reformer.
Ruling as if he has a majority and from within a closed inner circle, he is simultaneously trying to change the country and secure a second mandate. Spring saw that process advance surprisingly effortlessly while summer is proving hard work.
By beginning his Middle East history in early July, the prime minister forgot a lot of things Canadians remember. He skipped Israel's earlier invasion and 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon.
Was it amnesia or the more severe problem of myopia. Had Middle East events not followed their predictable course, Harper might have scored a hat trick by defining his leadership, moving Canadian foreign policy to the political right and wooing Jewish support away from Liberals.
Instead, in the Middle East as well as in Afghanistan, Harper is now on the other side of the peace issue to most Canadians and particularly Quebecers with the power to deny a majority.
If it wasn't for war Americans wouldn't learn geography. It's now as apt to say that foreign affairs are a way of teaching new Canadian prime ministers history. It's time for Harper to sink or swim.
Later,
Kenaz
Last month, Stephen Harper's starting point for the mid-east crisis was Hezbollah's seizure of two Israeli soldiers as bargaining chips and its periodic cross-border rocket attacks. Now, as events accelerate forward, the prime minister has taken out his sharpie and began editing.
This week's startling move to appoint a Muslim Liberal as a special Middle East and South Asia adviser follows last week's subtle "adjustments" in Harper's original approval of the Israeli assault on Lebanon as "measured." Both are, of course, just political BS.
Instead of admitting he has no clue what he is talking about, the prime minister went shopping for someone knowledgeable in mid-east affairs. That man was Wajid Khan. His job now is to is to be Harpers "mind speak" editor and readjust the dates for the first salvoes of war. Harper now has an adviser who can be either ignored or used to embarrass Liberals. The later will not happen, but should. Harper will maintain his carefully crafted image of a leader who isn't afraid to make unpopular decisions.
This is the prime minister's public persona. In contrast to his progressive Conservative election campaign performance, Harper in power is the Reformer.
Ruling as if he has a majority and from within a closed inner circle, he is simultaneously trying to change the country and secure a second mandate. Spring saw that process advance surprisingly effortlessly while summer is proving hard work.
By beginning his Middle East history in early July, the prime minister forgot a lot of things Canadians remember. He skipped Israel's earlier invasion and 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon.
Was it amnesia or the more severe problem of myopia. Had Middle East events not followed their predictable course, Harper might have scored a hat trick by defining his leadership, moving Canadian foreign policy to the political right and wooing Jewish support away from Liberals.
Instead, in the Middle East as well as in Afghanistan, Harper is now on the other side of the peace issue to most Canadians and particularly Quebecers with the power to deny a majority.
If it wasn't for war Americans wouldn't learn geography. It's now as apt to say that foreign affairs are a way of teaching new Canadian prime ministers history. It's time for Harper to sink or swim.
Later,
Kenaz
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