11 players sign with the Destroyers
November 26, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Buffalo Destroyers saw their roster take shape today as they have signed 11 players for the 2003 season. Buffalo resigned QB Jeff Loots, WR/DB Bret Cooper, OL/DL Hardy Mitchell and OL/DL Silas Demary. The Destroyers also added seven free agents including DS JoJo Polk, WR/DB Van Johnson, FB/LB Anthony Hicks, OS Gunnard Twyner, DS Ken Haslip, WR/DB Anthony Payton, QB Mike Cawley and QB Chris Sanders.
Loots (6-2, 205, Southwest St.) appeared in six games for the Destroyers in 2002, starting two. Loots completed 51 of 83 passes for 643 yards, 10 touchdowns and four INT's. Loots set a Destroyers season record with a 61.4% completion percentage in 2002. Loots was part of ArenaBowl Championship teams in Albany (1999) and Arizona (1997).
Cooper (6-0, 190, Central Florida) was the Destroyers second leading receiver with 643 yards and second in touchdown receptions with 12 last season. Cooper is one of the best two-way players in the Arena Football League. Cooper has the fifth highest average gain in AFL history at 14.7 yards per reception. He is also 14th all-time with 5,348 receiving yards, 19th with 365 career receptions and 18th all-time with 85 touchdowns. Cooper is also tied for 12th all-time with four interceptions returned for touchdowns. Cooper was part of two ArenaBowl Championship teams with Orlando in 1998 and 2000.
Demary (6-3, 275, Virginia St.) joined Buffalo last season after making the All-Rookie team with Carolina in 2001. He had a career high two pass defenses week eight vs. New York and a season high 4.5 tackles and one sack week 14 at LA.
Mitchell (6-4, 290, University at Buffalo) had a career season with Buffalo in 2002. He tied a career high with one fumble recovery week six vs. Grand Rapids. He blocked a FG attempt week eight vs. New York. Mitchell set a career high with 12 tackles and two sacks.
"We looked at these players from last season as the guys that had the most potential for our style of football," said head coach Ron Selesky. "They have all been successful individually in this league and will give us a big boost this season.
Polk (5-11, 180, Northeastern St.) was Grand Rapids second leading tackler last season with 42 stops and fourth with seven pass breakups. In 2001, Polk led the Rampage in tackles (61.5), interceptions (3) and passed defended (23) helping Grand Rapids to their first ArenaBowl Championship.
Johnson (6-1, 200, Temple) was the second leading receiver for Indiana in 2002 with 61 receptions for 794 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also led the team with 1,117 all-purpose yards, recorded 15 tackles and returned 17 kickoffs for 285 yards. Johnson was part of the Firebirds ArenaBowl Championship team in 1999.
Hicks (6-3, 250, Middle Tennessee St.) was second on Toronto with six rushing touchdowns. He had 28 rushes for 67 yards in 2002. Hicks recorded 12.5 tackles and was second on the Phantoms with three sacks.
Twyner (5-10, 175 Western Illinois) appeared in four games last season with Tampa Bay catching nine passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. In 2001, he had 39 receptions for 560 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Storm. Twyner spent 1997 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Haslip (5-10, 180, USC) spent last season with the San Diego Riptide of af2 and was tenth in af2 with 32 pass defenses including two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. Haslip also recorded 33 tackles in nine games. He played two seasons for the LA Avengers from 2000-01.
Payton (6-2, 215, Kentucky Wesleyan) led the Louisville Fire of af2 with 102 receptions for 1,450 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also the Louisville's sixth leading tackler with 19.5. Payton played for Coach Selesky in 2001 with Louisville.
Cawley (6-1, 200, James Madison) played in seven games for the af2's Quad City Steamwheelers in 2002 passing 143 for 262 for 1,827 yards 39 touchdowns and eight INT's. Cawley has been in training camps with the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions. The veteran QB has also played in NFL Europe, CFL and XFL.
Sanders (6-1, 185, Tennessee-Chattanooga) played for the Roanoke Steam of af2 in 2002 and was 46 of 80 for 641 yards and 10 touchdowns. He left the Steam during the season to join the Tennessee Titans in training camp. He was also in Titans camp in 2001. Sanders have also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe.
"The free agents we brought in have a unique blend of football experience from the NFL to af2," added Selesky. "Talent wise, these are some of the best players available on the free agent market. We are excited to see how these guys will mesh with the guys we are bringing back from last season.
Buffalo kicks off its fifth season in the Arena Football League Saturday, February 1, 2003 as the Destroyers host the Grand Rapids Rampage at the HSBC Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now. Call 881-4444!
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 26, 2002
- L.A. Avengers re-launch official Website - Los Angeles Avengers
- 11 players sign with the Destroyers - Buffalo Destroyers
- Desperados to Hold Mini-Camp - Dallas Desperados
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.
