THE CANADIAN PRESS
HAMILTON -– Brock Ralph is heading back to Edmonton.
The Edmonton Eskimos acquired the veteran receiver from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday for linebacker Michael Botterill and defensive back Chris Thompson.
Ralph, a native of Raymond, Alta., began his CFL career in Edmonton in 2003 and enjoyed a breakout season in 2004 with 49 catches for 634 yards and one touchdown. He was dealt to Hamilton on Oct. 5, 2005 with defensive back Tay Cody for offensive lineman Dan Comiskey and running back Troy Davis.
Ralph, a five-year CFL veteran, was Hamilton’s leading receiver last year with 50 catches for 721 yards and three touchdowns.
The six-foot-three, 225-pound Botterill, of Belleville, Ont., spent the last two seasons with Edmonton. He began his CFL with Montreal after being selected in the sixth round, 51st overall, of the 2003 Canadian college draft before being traded to Edmonton on July 3, 2006.
Botterill has recorded 65 defensive tackles, 71 special-teams tackles and four sacks in 84 career games.
Thompson signed with Edmonton on Aug. 31, 2007 and appeared in nine games, starting five. He was a fifth-round pick of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004 and spent three seasons there before stints with the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.
"With this trade we’ve added two players who have the opportunity to make strong contributions to the club," Ticats general manager Bob O’Billovich said in a statement. "Chris is a good sized defensive back with great coverage skills while Michael is an outstanding special teams player who will add to our defence."
