Sep
Esks cut Buhl
Courtesy Edmonton Journal:
The Edmonton Eskimos coaching staff had seen enough of cornerback Jonte Buhl, apparently.
Dramatic comeback victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats or not; last-minute, game-clinching interception by Buhl or not; the 27-year-old, four-year veteran was released on Tuesday, along with defensive lineman Mike Newkirk.
Since joining the Eskimos in 2006, Buhl had played in 44 regular-season games, including eight this season.
In 2009, Buhl recorded 29 tackles, two knockdowns and one interception. That one came in the final minute of Edmonton’s 31-30 victory over Hamilton on Saturday to seal that victory.
But it wasn’t enough to camouflage his apparent penchant for giving up the big play; it wasn’t enough to save his job.
Buhl had been burned on the Tiger-Cats’first play from scrimmage in that game, torched for a 45-yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Kevin Glenn to veteran receiver Arland Bruce.
But Bruce wasn’t the first man this year to victimize Buhl. In Edmonton’s spectacular 38-35 comeback victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 13, Jeremaine Copeland caught 11 balls for 177 yards, including one TD.
Copeland was named offensive player of the week for that demolition job.
The Eskimos coaches seem to have concluded that rival quarterbacks had identified Buhl as the weak link in the Eskimos secondary.
With Buhl gone, either Bobby Keyes or Bradley Robinson will replace Buhl at one corner, with Jason Goss a fixture at the other.
The Eskimos also hope to have veteran defensive halfback Lenny Williams back for Monday’s Labour Day game against the Stampeders in Calgary.
As well, the Eskimos signed import DB Gemara Williams, who was cut last month by the Montreal Alouettes. He played one game for Montreal last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Also, with starting fullback Mathieu Bertrand down with a foot injury, the Eskimos have signed veteran fullback and special teams man Mike Maurer.
It will be the second go-round with the Eskimos for Maurer, who was named Most Outstanding Canadian at the 2005 Grey Cup game in Vancouver, the last time the Eskimos won the title.
Maurer has come out of retirement to resume his football career.
jmackinnon@thejournal.canwest.com
