Desperados taking shape

by AFL Press Release
December 4, 2001 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)

AFL Press Release

CHICAGO - The Dallas Desperados began filling their roster for the 2002 season by selecting offensive/defensive lineman RAMANDO STALLINGS (6- 7, 260, San Diego St.) from the roster of the Los Angeles Avengers with the top pick today in the 2002 Arena Football League Expansion Draft. The Desperados, who begin play this upcoming season, selected nine players from the 105 made available from the rosters of the league's 15 remaining teams.

Stallings started along the defensive line for the Los Angeles Xtreme in the XFL during their first and only season after spending the 2000 season with the Edmonton Eskimos and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Between 1994-98, he played 38 games in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted by the Bengals in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft.

Team rosters hit hardest by the draft include defending champion Grand Rapids Rampage and the Indiana Firebirds, who lost four and three players respectively. Grand Rapids losses included defensive specialist Hassan Shamsid-Deen (5-9, 183, NC State), who won the 2001 ArenaBowl title with the Rampage. Shamsid-Deen has spent the past three seasons with the Rampage, totaling 78 tackles, 29 passes defensed and four interceptions. Indiana's losses included wide receiver/defensive back Lamar Grant (5-10, 185, Duke), who totaled 40 tackles in 10 games in 2001.

Teams will have another opportunity to add players during next week's Dispersal Draft. The draft will be held on Monday, December 10 at 1 p.m. ET.

The Arena Football League will field 16 teams for its 16th season in 2002. The expansion Dallas Desperados, owned by Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, will be joined by Atlanta as new AFL markets for the 2002 season. Teams preparing to begin play over the next several seasons include Denver, Jacksonville, Nashville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 4, 2001

• Desperados taking shape - OSC Original by AFL Press Release

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