2004 Award Winners headed to the AFL
Published on October 25, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO - As the list of 2004 af2 players headed to the AFL for 2005 continues to grow, the 2004 Ironman, Offensive, Defensive, Lineman and Rookie of the year have now all signed contracts to play in the AFL next season, the af2 League office announced today.
Tim Dodge (5-10, 190, Iowa), who earned Ironman of the Year accolades as a member of the Quad City Steamwheelers, has signed with the Colorado Crush. Dodge, 26, led the Quad City Steamwheelers with 108 catches for 1,596 yards last season. On defense he was second on the team with 48.5 (42UA-13AT) tackles and five interceptions.
The Grand Rapids Rampage have inked Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Year Matt Burstein (5-8, 180, Arkansas) and Dell Lineman of the Year James Landers (6-4, 285, Louisiana Monroe). Burstein, 26, led af2 with 270 points last season. His 119 receptions led to a league high 1,684 yards and 43 touchdowns for the Cape Fear Wildcats.
Landers, 29, anchored an Oklahoma City line that led the league in sacks with 43 while giving up only 18. Finishing the season tied for league lead in sacks (8.5) and forced fumbles (5), Landers also set career benchmarks with 14 tackles (10UA-8AT), including 4.5 for a loss, and one safety.
ADT Defensive Player of the Year Traco Rachal (6-1, 200, Texas A&M Commerce) has joined the Los Angeles Avengers for 2005. Rachel, 28, led the expansion Laredo Law with 75.0 tackles (57UA-36A), 10 interceptions and 15 passes broken-up last season. Rachal also recorded half a sack, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. He finished tied with Rio Grande Valley's Eddie Moten for the league lead in interceptions.
J.R. Thomas (6-1, 175, Indiana University of Pennsylvania), who was named the Spalding Rookie of the Year, is headed to the Chicago Rush. Thomas, 23, led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in receiving last season, establishing team records in receptions (97), yards (1,316) and touchdowns (26) despite missing four games. He also returned 33 kickoffs for 808 yards, including four touchdowns.
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