Another Roughneck makes it 'Big-Time'
December 22, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
Odessa, Texas. The Odessa Roughnecks are pleased to announce that a second 2004 team member has earned an invitation to the next level as lineman Jermaine Blakely has been offered a contract with the Austin Wranglers. Fellow lineman John McDermott did the same last month with the New York Dragons and several others are still awaiting tryouts including Wide Receiver Heyward Skipper, arguably the Roughnecks top player last season.
This progressive move comes as no surprise. As a professional rookie in 2004, Jermaine earned 10 sacks, a selection to the IFL All-Star game, and was named to the 1st Team All IFL by league coaches at the seasons end. The 6 3 Lineman showed his Big-Guy Athleticism as well scoring 3 touch downs as a tight end. It is this type of play that has brought Jermaine up to the next level. The Arena Football League needs athletes that can play both offense and defense and Blakely will do just that., stated head coach Chris Williams. I have followed this young mans career since his time at Stillman College and am certain that he will be a success under head coach Skip Foster in Austin.
We will look forward to updating area media on Jermaine and his teammates progress at the next levels in the future.
In additional news, as found online at www.oursportscentral.com, the latest Massey Ratings for the National Indoor Football League have been published and show the Odessa Roughnecks tied for the third best team in the league. It is quite early to tell but we love a good prediction...particularly when it shows us at the top like this. We should also probably mention that three teams are listed below the Wichita Falls Thunder, a franchise that no longer exists. They must be really struggling! We look to be first on this rating in the coming months.
Please contact the teams offices at (432) 332-PASS (7277) for further information on these or other Roughnecks topics.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from December 22, 2004
- Sam Adams Selected to 2005 NFL Pro Bowl - Everett Hawks
- Another Roughneck makes it 'Big-Time' - West Texas Roughnecks
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