Take a hike, Ike, Bombers tell vet Charlton

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/08/2010 (5541 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ONE of the meatier storylines within the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 23-20 loss to the Calgary Stampeders was the battle between Bombers linebacker Ike Charlton and Stamps receiver Nik Lewis.

The athletic Lewis had 10 catches for 160 yards, including a reception in front of Charlton that went for a 64-yard gain early in the game. Lewis was a significant mismatch for Charlton, so much so that the Stamps continued to go to that noticeable advantage Saturday evening.

Two days later, Charlton was looking for work.

"Pretty pissed off about it," the charged-up former Bomber said about the timing of his release from the club Monday. "We talk a lot about trust around here and to be honest with you, it’s a tough situation right now… I’m very upset about it."

While anyone who watched the Calgary game could see the struggles Charlton had with Lewis, both the team and the player say Saturday night’s performance had little to do in the decision. Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said the club wasn’t looking at making a change at strong-side linebacker — a position that traditionally requires a player to not only be big enough to challenge physically near the line of scrimmage but also calls for a high level of athleticism for pass coverage — before the season.

The events of the last five weeks, however, necessitated the change.

"The only football-thing I’ll say is that over the course of the last five or six games, we think we need a better coverage player there," LaPolice said.

"We’re not making a knee-jerk reaction based on (Saturday’s) game."

Taking a break from packing up his things Monday, Charlton threw out a sarcastic laugh when asked if he thought his walking papers had anything to do with his play on the field — including the tough night in Calgary. He says the coach never really was interested in communicating with him, and says his fate was sealed almost from the day LaPolice was hired.

"That was funny to me," the 32-year-old shared, adding he never felt like he was a part of the LaPolice plan. "He probably won’t come out and say it, but (that feeling) is just out of conversations that I’ve with him. It’s something that I felt was brewing before the season even started."

Charlton, an import linebacker from Virginia Tech who joined the Bombers in 2005, finishes his Blue and Gold career with 225 defensive tackles and one interception in 60 games. This season, the former NFLer led the Bombers with 22 tackles through the first five games.

Switching out an aging vet for a fresher option is nothing new in pro football, but the move always comes with an element of risk. The Bombers get younger and save a little bit of money (Charlton came in around $85,000), but this isn’t trimming a rookie long-snapper after one bad game (hello, Adam Bestard). No, this is removing more CFL experience from an ever-evolving roster; a cut that won’t be an easy spin among a remaining veteran group that is probably evaluating their own job security after every game.

"My responsibility is not to do the easiest thing," the coach said. "My responsibility is to do what’s best for the club and the organization going forward."

The jilted Charlton, who said he "had to be great" to keep his job, wonders how that will play out in the Bomber room and offered this parting shot to the rookie head coach:

"You get in a panic mode this early in the season — it’s not a good thing. It’s going to be funny in that locker-room (today). What are you going to say to your team when you make a move like that?"

Believing the strong-side linebacker position has turned into more on a coverage-first need (given the pass-first mentality and five-receiver sets CFL teams are showing), LaPolice said defensive backs Bernard Hicks and Clint Kent will take their turns at Charlton’s former spot this week.

Winnipeg returns to the practice field today.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

PAST: CLOSE IN COWTOWN

The Bombers trailed 23-18 Saturday night when QB Steven Jyles missed SB Terrence Edwards in the end zone with 43 seconds left. Make the final Calgary 23 Winnipeg 20. Jyles finished 17-of-30 for 227 yards and a TD. Edwards had 162 yards on six catches, taking over the CFL lead for receiving yards.

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PRESENT: UNLUCKY NUMBERS

Thirteen. That’s the number of reported injuries on the Bombers. The latest casualties are S Ian Logan (hamstring), DB Jerry-Ralph Jules (fractured leg), and SB Terence Jeffers-Harris (high ankle sprain). Logan is out for at least two weeks, Jules is out a minimum eight weeks and Jeffers-Harris is limping badly. LB Marcellus Bowman (fractured hand) had surgery and is out 4-6 weeks. DT Dorian Smith (knee) is close to returning.

FUTURE: PIVOTAL QUESTIONS

Head coach Paul LaPolice said QB Buck Pierce should be back at practice today, but will he be healthy enough to play Saturday when the club travels to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats? Is there a fear of rushing him back? Jyles played well in Steeltown last time, so does he play and Pierce saves himself for the home half of the Ticats double dip on Aug. 13? Let the debate begin!