Bailey to Return to Vipers
January 14, 2003 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
Huntsville, AL - Tennessee Valley Vipers head coach, Kevin Guy, announced today that defensive specialist, Kenny Bailey, would return to the team this season. The Vipers were also assigned former Appalachian State linebacker, Jimmy Freeman.
"This will give us some experience in the secondary and a guy that can easily switch over and play the two-way position," Guy said. "He is a great guy, a good leader and is a perfect for this organization. Jimmy is a big guy that has a high motor and can rush the passer. He is an assistant coach at Appalachian State during the off season and it is like having a coach for us on the field for us."
Bailey led the Vipers in tackles last season with 88.0 tackles and was second in interceptions with eight and passes broken up with 18. He played 13 games at defensive specialist and three at wide receiver/defensive back. He rushed for four yards on four carries and caught four passes for 40 yards and two touchdowns. He set a Viper record with three interceptions at Memphis on May 11 that Kelly Snell later tied. He played one season in the Arena Football League with the New Jersey Red Dogs after a stellar career at the University of Delaware.
Freeman spent the 2002 season on the practice squad for the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League. He played in two games and recorded 2.0 tackles and one pass break up. He played linebacker at Appalachian State from 1997-2000 and recorded 199 career tackles, including 31 tackles-for-loss and 18 sacks. He was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection and an All-American selection by the Sports Network and the Associated Press in 2000. He started every game his final three seasons. He was an assistant coach at Appalachian State in 2001 and 2002 and worked with a group that produced two All-Americans and the programs all-time sack leader.
The Vipers report for training camp on March 19 and kickoff the season at Florida on April 5. The home opener is set for Friday, April 11 at 7:30 against the Quad City Steamwheelers. Season tickets are currently on sale through the Vipers front office. For more information, call (256) 551-3240.
United Indoor Football Association Stories from January 14, 2003
- All-Stars Knock Down Records - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
- Bailey to Return to Vipers - Tennessee Valley Raptors
- Head, Panko Named Players of Week - Ohio Valley Greyhounds
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