Birds Place Bech on IR, Sign Former NFL Receiver
February 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League have placed wide receiver/linebacker Brett Bech on the team's injured reserve list. Bech is the 2nd Firebirds player placed on the IR this week. Starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw has been sidelined with a dislocated right index finger.
Bech suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago in a victory over the Chicago Rush and re-aggravated the injury last week versus Arizona. Through four games this season, Bech is second on the team in receptions (21), receiving yards (252), and receiving touchdowns (3). Defensively, he is tied with Donnie Caldwell for the team-lead with two interceptions on the season.
According to team doctor Dale Snead, Bech has left shoulder instability and will miss at least two weeks, potentially two to four. His rehab will include strength conditioning, exercise, and rest.
In addition, the team signed veteran NFL wide receiver Jeremy McDaniel to a one-year contract. Terms for the deal were not disclosed.
McDaniel (6-1, 195) begins his first season in the Arena Football League after spending three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He originally signed with the Bills as an undrafted rookie Free Agent in 1999. He saw the majority of his time during the 2000 season when he appeared in all 16 regular season games, making six starts. He won the number three receiving position following an outstanding preseason where he led the team with 194 yards receiving on just seven receptions. He went on to finish the season third on the team in both receptions (43) and receiving yards (697). He also led the team with an average of 16.2 yards/reception. During the 2001 season he suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined much of the season and was eventually released by the team during last year's training camp. McDaniel appeared in a total of 24 games with the Bills, accumulating 54 catches for 826 yards and two touchdowns. He also attended training camp with the San Francisco 49ers in 2002, however was released before the start of the season.
To fill the void left by Philyaw's injury, the Firebirds have activated quarterback Damian Phillips from the practice squad for Sunday's meeting with Colorado. Phillips was signed as a street Free Agent on February 21st.
The Firebirds return to action on Sunday when they welcome the expansion Colorado Crush into Conseco Fieldhouse for the first-ever meeting between the two franchises. The Crush are owned by legendary quarterback John Elway, who also serves as the team's President and CEO. Tickets to the game can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 317-239-5151 and firebirds.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 28, 2003
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- Birds Place Bech on IR, Sign Former NFL Receiver - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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