Slappey Returns for Fifth Season
January 14, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Macon Knights News Release
MACON, Ga. The Macon Knights added three former players to the roster as the team announced the assignment of André Slappey, Hosea Laney and Will Burch today. The Knights also added defensive specialists Jay Brooks and Nicholas Gage and wide receiver/defensive back Dezaray Delmore.
The Knights picked up a wealth of experience as Slappey (6-5, 315, Albany State) agreed to return for his fifth season with the team. Slappey, an offensive/defensive lineman, has been with the Knights since the teams inaugural season in 2001 and he currently holds the team record for most games played in a career with 68.
In his career, Slappey has recorded 60.5 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks. His best season came as a rookie when he racked up 27 tackles and seven sacks. He was a member of three playoff teams including the 2002 Eastern Division Championship team and the 2003 American Conference Championship team.
Wide receiver/defensive back Hosea Laney will return for his second season with the Knights and his third in af2. Last season, Laney (6-2, 190, Fort Valley State) was the Knights leading tackler and ranked 16th overall in the league (65.5). He also broke up 17 passes and recorded four interceptions. Laney hauled in 31 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns.
In addition to Slappey and Laney, the team also announced the re-assignment of quarterback Will Burch. Burch, who was the first quarterback to take a snap in team history, returned to the Knights last season to serve as the starter for the second half of the season.
Burch (6-3, 220, East Stroudsburg) appeared in seven games in 2004 completing 122-of-208 attempts. He threw for 1,207 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. His best game came against Cape Fear on July 10th when he completed 66.7 percent of his passes (22-33) for 205 yards and five touchdowns. Burch holds the Knights most passing yards in a single game (354 yards, 4/7/01).
Defensive specialist, Jay Brooks, will enter his first season with the Knights and second in af2. Brooks (5-10, 190, Texas A&M) appeared in 11 games with the Tulsa Talons last season. He was the Talons second-leading tackler with 31 unassisted tackles and 17 assisted (39.5 total). He also recorded two interceptions, eight pass breakups and four fumble recoveries.
The Knights also added rookie DS Nicholas Gage (5-7, 157, N/A) and second-year wide receiver/defensive back Dezaray Delmore. In 2001, Delmore (5-10, 180, Grambling State) appeared in one game with the Baton Rouge Blaze recording one unassisted tackle.
Dont miss the action of eight great home games as the Knights kickoff the 2005 season on Friday, April 1st against the Florida Firecats. Season ticket packages are on sale now starting at just $56 and five-game plans start at just $45. For more information call the Macon Knights Ticket Office at (478) 314-3000 or visit www.MaconKnights.com.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from January 14, 2005
- Former Wheelers Quarterback Gordon to AFLs Dragons - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Marcus Green Returns To Blizzard For Second Season - Green Bay Blizzard
- Foggie joins Dusters - Amarillo Venom
- Macon Knights Pitch In to Help Totes For Tots Program - Macon Knights
- Wildcats add experience to their roster - South Georgia Wildcats
- Knights to Hold Open Tryout March 5th - Macon Knights
- Slappey Returns for Fifth Season - Macon Knights
- Riptide Assigned Defensive Specialist - San Diego Riptide
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
