Bombers release Charlton

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This article was published 02/08/2010 (5539 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released import linebacker Ike Charlton, the team announced today.

The 32-year-old, in his sixth season with the Bombers, had 22 tackles this season. His sudden departure comes on the heels of Winnipeg’s 23-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. In that game, Calgary receiver Nik Lewis beat the weak-side linebacker several times for big gains, a showing that eventually led to the roster move.

“We felt we wanted to go in a different direction,” head coach Paul LaPolice said earlier today. “Over the course of the last five or six games, we think we need a better coverage player there. Ike is one of the veterans, when we got here, that we wanted to keep, and I appreciate everything he did for us.”

Charlton, a valuable leader on the defence, joined the Blue Bombers in late 2005, playing in 60 regular season games, four playoff games and one Grey Cup. Over that time, the Virginia Tech grad had 239 total tackles and just one interception. This season, Charlton had 22 defensive tackles.

LaPolice expects to have either Clint Kent or Bernard Hicks take over duties at the strong-side linebacker spot – a position that requires a player to drop back and cover either the slotback or receiver out of the backfield – at practice Tuesday.