Albany Conquest inks former Chicago Bears DB Travis "T-Cole" Coleman
Published on March 2, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
Albany, N.Y., March 2, 2004 â The Albany Conquest of arenafootball2 (af2) has announced that Head Coach Steve Matthews has added former Chicago Bears defensive back Travis "T-Cole" Coleman to his 2004 roster. Coleman, who was assigned yesterday evening as a Defensive Specialist (DS) for the Conquest, will report to the team's training camp on March 23. The Albany Conquest open their season on the road against the Cape Fear Wildcats on April 10 in Fayetteville, N.C., before returning to the Capital Region for their home opener against the Manchester Wolves on April 16 at the Pepsi Arena.
Coach Matthews, who played five years in the NFL as a quarterback and is coaching his third year of arena football, believes that Coleman has the ability to make key plays that will help his defense this season.
"Travis has played at the highest level of professional football and will be an important piece in the success of our defense this year," said Coach Matthews. "In arena football, offensive possessions are crucial to winning games and Travis can help us make more defensive stops. He has the playmaking ability to help our defense create turnovers and give our offense more opportunities to put points on the board," added Coach Matthews.
Coleman is eager to hone his abilities and help the Conquest during the 2004 season. "Coach Matthews, being a former player himself, I think he has a keen eye for talent which makes me optimistic about being a part of a new environment and making some plays that help us win a Championship," said Coleman.
Coleman played in seven games for the Bears in 2002 starting on special teams in kick-off and punt-return coverage. He was on the Bears practice squad for the first nine games of the season before being activated. Defensively, he played cornerback for the Bears and his most notable game was in a 20-13 win over the New York Jets in Week 15. He made two tackles, including one for a loss and covered then Jets wide receiver, Laveranues Coles.
In a pre-season game against the Denver Broncos, Coleman intercepted a pass intended for Denver wide receiver Ashley Lelie and recalls that as a shining moment playing in a Chicago Bears uniform. "Ashley (Lelie) ran a stop-and-go pattern and I was able to get into position to pick-off the pass," said Coleman. "When I came off the sideline, James "Big Cat" Williams (lineman for the Bears) said to me âthat's how you make this roster."
Coleman spent time in training camps with the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts prior to the 2003 NFL season. He was a second-team all-conference selection at strong safety his junior season for Division I-AA Hampton University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. At Hampton during his four-year career, he totaled 147 tackles, 13 interceptions and 48 passes broken up. Coleman attended Goldsboro High School in North Carolina where he was an all-state selection his senior year and an all-conference selection three years.
The Conquest will play their home opener against the Manchester Wolves on April 16 at the Pepsi Arena. The game will feature two performances by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. For tickets you may call (518) 487-2222 or visit www.albanyconquest.com.
arenafootball2 Stories from March 2, 2004
- Wardogs add six players including XFL DB Terrell Sutton - Columbus Wardogs
- Blizzard's third tryout set - Green Bay Blizzard
- ArenaCup MVP to run with the Yard Dawgz - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Pioneers Assigned QB Mike Gluski - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
- Albany Conquest inks former Chicago Bears DB Travis âT-Coleâ Coleman - Albany Firebirds
- Open TryoutsâRecapped - Hawaiian Islanders
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.
