Billy Parker named First Team All-Arena DS
May 25, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
A day after being selected to the AFL All-Rookie Team, Billy Parker has another award to put in his trophy case as the first year defensive specialist has been named All-Arena First Team. He is the only rookie to be named to the All-Arena team this season. The announcement was made live on ESPNews earlier this afternoon.
"These are all great honors, but again I have to thank the entire organization for this," said Parker after he was informed of the news. "I've learned a lot this season, from the coaches to the other players. Everyone has helped teach me the game of Arena Football. From top to bottom, I couldn't ask to be part of a better team and organization."
Parker led the league in interceptions with ten and was one shy of tying the rookie record of eleven. He finished the regular season with 90.0 tackles, which led all rookies and was seventh best in the league. His 21 passes defensed were also tops amongst rookies and ranked him third in the AFL.
The star out of William & Mary is also a strong candidate for the Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year awards, which will be announced on June 1 and June 7, respectively, on ESPNews.
Below are the 2005 All-Arena First and Second Teams:
First Team:
Position - Player, Team
Quarterback - Mark Grieb, San Jose
Fullback/Linebacker - Frank Carter, Las Vegas
Offensive/Defensive Lineman - Silas Demary, Los Angeles
Offensive/Defensive Lineman - B.J. Cohen, New Orleans
Offensive/Defensive Lineman - Jermaine Smith, Georgia
Wide receiver/Linebacker - Cory Fleming, Orlando
Wide receiver/Defensive Back - Kevin Ingram, Los Angeles
Offensive Specialist - Damian Harrell, Colorado
Defensive Specialist - Billy Parker, New York*
Defensive Specialist - Kenny McEntyre, Orlando
Kicker - Remy Hamilton, Los Angeles
Second Team:
Position - Player, Team
Quarterback - Matt Nagy, Georgia
Fullback/Linebacker - Rich Young, Colorado
Offensive/Defensive Lineman - Gillis Wilson, Georgia
Offensive/Defensive Lineman - E.J. Burt, Orlando
Offensive/Defensive Lineman - John Moyer, Chicago
Wide receiver/Linebacker - Lawrence Samuels, Tampa Bay
Wide receiver/Defensive Back - Will Pettis, Dallas
Offensive Specialist - Siaha Burley, Arizona
Defensive Specialist - Kahlil Carter, Nashville
Defensive Specialist - Kevin Gaines, Georgia
Kicker - Clay Rush, Colorado
The league will announce the All-Ironman team tomorrow on May 26 on ESPNews. WR/DBs Corey Johnson and Will Holder along with WR/LB Chris Anthony, FB/LB Josh "Zeus" White and OL/DL Marcus "Snowball" Owen are all up for consideration.
The Drive to ArenaBowl XIX goes through the Nassau Coliseum this weekend as the Dragons host the Orlando Predators in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM on Sunday, May 29. Fans will want to get their tickets fast as the Coliseum is expected to be packed. Call 1-866-AFL-TIXX for more information.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 25, 2005
- Drive to ArenaBowl XIX hits high gear - AFL I
- Grieb named to All-Arena First Team - San Jose SaberCats
- Arena Football League names All-Arena Teams - AFL I
- Three Crush players named to 2005 All-Arena Team - Colorado Crush
- Siaha Burley Named Second Team All-Arena - Arizona Rattlers
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Billy Parker named First Team All-Arena DS - New York Dragons
- VooDoo OL/DL B.J. Cohen named to Arena Football League's 2005 All-Arena Team - New Orleans VooDoo
- Moyer named second team All-Arena - Chicago Rush
- Frank Carter earns First-Team All-Arena honors - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Force have four named to 2005 All-Arena teams - Georgia Force
- Soul re-sign Sean Scott - Philadelphia Soul
- Watch The Longest Yard with the Storm - Tampa Bay Storm
- Carter Named Second-Team All-Arena - Nashville Kats
- Numerous AFL records broken - AFL I
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Two former ArenaBowl MVP QBs to battle Sunday - AFL I
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
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