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Jesse Lumsden is getting the fresh start he so badly wanted.

The 26-year-old Canadian running back signed yesterday with the Edmonton Eskimos, marking the end of his four-year tenure with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in which his immense ability was overshadowed by injuries.

The Eskimos were one of several teams interested in Lumsden. And though there is a historical tie for Lumsden, who was born in Edmonton when his father, Neil, played for the Eskimos during the early 1980s, it was the team's need to bolster its running game that sealed the deal.

"We think he is going to be an impact player here," Edmonton general manager Danny Maciocia said. "This is really an extremely important day for us because when you look at what we've done here offensively over the last couple of years, we definitely have the premier quarterback in the league and our receiving corps has done an outstanding job. But if there was a missing link here the last couple of years, it's clearly the fact that we haven't had a running back that's able to get those tough yards, to score from two yards out, to close out football games when you don't want to put the ball up."

The Eskimos led the league in passing yards last season but ranked last in rushing, a combination that led Maciocia to attempt a trade late last season to acquire Lumsden from Hamilton. That deal fell through, and within weeks Lumsden was shut down with a shoulder injury that led to off-season surgery for the second year in a row.

The Eskimos have another quality Canadian running back in Calvin McCarty, who came on strong in the second half of last season, making a comfortable fit for Lumsden since Edmonton may not have to dress a U.S. running back in many games.

Though it's believed Lumsden signed a contract laden with playing-time incentives, Maciocia stressed the Eskimos are banking on him carrying much of the load. Lumsden played just 19 games over the past two seasons in Hamilton as the Ticats struggled to back-to-back 3-15 seasons.

"When he did play those games he averaged 6.7 yards a carry," Maciocia said. "He was definitely, in my opinion, the best back in this league. He's 26 and I know he's coming off a few difficult seasons where he has had injuries but that doesn't mean he's only going play a handful of games every year. Jesse thinks it's been a string of bad luck. We think playing [on grass] half his games will help him. There's no reason to believe he's not going to be able to put together an 18-game schedule in 2009."

The Eskimos' signing of Lumsden and former Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Maurice Lloyd made them an early winner in the free agency period, which began Monday. But there's been a flurry of activity elsewhere, as well, and some very rich contracts have been signed.

Likely the richest went to left tackle Rob Murphy, who will collect $190,000 a season after jumping to the Toronto Argonauts from the B.C. Lions. Murphy said his impetus to leave Vancouver began last July 1 when his wife gave birth to triplets, leading the couple to desire a move East to be closer to family in the United States.

And the Argos were only too happy to invest in a player who is known as much for his relentless attitude as he is for the way he plays the game.

Murphy, who negotiated his own contract, said CFL teams are recognizing the importance of a strong left tackle, the same way teams in the NFL have in making it the second highest-paid position after quarterback.

"CFL GMs understand you need a bell cow, your big prize cattle, who will protect the quarterback, the running back, protect the team," Murphy said. "I'm the guy. [Players on other teams] are going to answer to me. … When we're in the huddle and Kerry Joseph is calling out the plays, when he looks in my eyes, he'll realize he has security because I have an attitude that says, 'Not on my watch.' "

Murphy wasn't the only left tackle to cash in.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers lineman Alexandre Gauthier will earn $150,000 a season with Hamilton next season, addressing what the Ticats saw as their biggest off-season need.

"It is if you want to keep your quarterback healthy," Hamilton general manager Bob O'Billovich said.