Florida Firecats Open Kicking Competition
March 18, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL- The Florida Firecats will invite kickers Santiago Gramatica and Andy Eminger into training camp on Monday to compete for the open position. Longtime Firecats kicker Brandon Kornblue announced his retirement earlier this month.
Santiago Gramatica is the youngest of the three Gramatica brothers from nearby LaBell High School. A 4 year starter at the University of South Florida, Santiago holds numerous school records including most career points (246), most field goals made in a season (16) and career (38) and career PAT's attempted (147) and made (132).
His oldest brother Martin began his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wining the 2002 Super Bowl; he recently signed a 2-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys. Bill Gramatica, the middle brother who also attended USF, kicked for the Arizona Cardinals from 2001-2003 and the AFL's Tampa Bay Storm in 2006.
Andy Eminger began his collegiate career with Ohio State before transferring to Dean Junior College where he was an all-conference player. Eminger eventually transferred to Florida Atlantic where he was a member of Howard Schnellenberger's inaugural 2001 team.
In 2005 he was named league special teams MVP while playing for an indoor football team in Ohio. While he kicked for 53 points and converted on 78.6% of his point after attempts, it was his tackling skills that earned him the MVP award. Eminger finished 2005 with a league high 19 tackles on special teams. Last year he kicked for an indoor football team in Georgia.
"We are simply looking for the best kicker we can find," said Firecats Coach Kevin Bouis. "Andy has a lot of indoor football experience and can make a tackle if he has to, Santiago spent time with the New York Dragons (AFL) and holds a ton of records at USF. It should be a good competition and we expect to end up with one of the best kickers in the af2."
Florida's 2nd team scrimmage will be held on Thursday March 22nd in Estero. The Firecats coaching staff will evaluate talent and will begin to make final roster decisions after the scrimmage.
Florida opens the 2007 season at home against the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, Saturday March 31st. 2007 Season tickets are available now! Call (239) 390-CATS (2287) today to reserve your seats!
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