Barr and Cook Return to Steamwheelers
Published on November 23, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â Less than two weeks ago, seven Quad City Steamwheelers' veterans were re-assigned to return for the 2005 season. On Tuesday, two more joined them. The arenafootball2 league office announced Tuesday that it has re-assigned fullback/linebacker Fred Barr and wide receiver/linebacker Billy Cook to the Steamwheelers for the 2005 season.
Both players joined the Steamwheelers last year and had major impacts on helping the Steamwheelers win their fourth National Conference Midwest Division title in five years.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes all-Big-Ten standout linebacker Barr quickly adapted to the game of Arena Football in his rookie season. Playing in 12 games for the Steamwheelers, Barr was eighth on the team in tackles with 13 (11 solo). He also accounted for three tackles for a loss, two sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a safety and a pass breakup. Barr added a pair of rushing touchdowns as well.
In 2002, Barr helped guide the Hawkeyes to a Big-Ten championship and Orange Bowl berth. That 2002 season the Hawkeyes defensive unit ranked fifth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 81.9 yards a contest. Barr was named First team all-Big-Ten and was the team defensive co-Most Valuable Player.
In his four-year career, Barr accounted for 376 tackles (217 solo), 24 of those for a loss. He added four sacks, an interception, broke up 12 passes, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 376 career tackles ranks fourth all-time in Hawkeyes history.
Barr was a training camp cut of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL the following fall.
Cook, who joined the team midway through the season after fulfilling a previous commitment as a high school track coach in Rockford, Ill., showcased his Arena Football talents. It was his third season in the league, having played for the Peoria Pirates and Charleston Swamp Foxes.
In 2004, Cook caught 15 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. He also shared kickoff return duties with offensive specialist Jeff Hewitt, another Steamwheelers veteran returning for the 2005 season. Cook returned 12 kickoffs for 233 yards and one touchdown.
He was just as effective on the other side of the ball as he finished tied with Barr in tackles with 13 (nine solo) and one tackle for a loss. Cook also had three pass breakups and an interception on the season.
In his three-year Arena Football career, Cook has 25 pass receptions for 386 yards and four touchdowns to go along with a rushing touchdown. He has returned 78 kicks for an average of 24.3 yards, with six going for touchdowns.
On defense, he has a total of 96 tackles (53 solo), three tackles for a loss, five interceptions and 23 passes defended. He has forced and recovered a fumble as well.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their sixth season, as a charter member of the af2 under new coach Rick Frazier, a veteran head coach in the Arena Football League. The 2005 af2 season is set to kickoff the first weekend of April, with the Steamwheelers opening their season on the road the following weekend at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Their first home game of the 2005 season will come on Saturday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m., when they host the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings. Season tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Steamwheelers office at (563) 324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX (78326849).
arenafootball2 Stories from November 23, 2004
- A Coyote Look Back (Part 2) - Central Valley Coyotes
- Wolves fans get chance to kick for cash at Turkey Bowl game - Manchester Wolves
- Barr and Cook Return to Steamwheelers - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Xplorers Catch Great Wide Receiver - Memphis Xplorers
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.
