'Birds Squad Set For Season Opener In Detroit
Published on January 27, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League trimmed their roster to 24 active players today, getting the team down to the league-mandated maximum for the regular season. In doing so, the Firebirds officially began preparations for this Sunday's season opener in Detroit against the Fury.
The Firebirds waived eight players, including wide receiver/defensive backs Latef Grim, Brian Alford, Tim Dodge, and Brian McDonald; fullback/linebackers Thad Buttone and Roger Wilson; offensive/defensive lineman Derrick Pickens; and quarterbacks David Priestley and Jose Davis.
The Firebirds' 2003 roster includes 18 returning players including quarterback Raymond Philyaw, offensive specialist Eddie Brown, wide receiver/defensive backs Jay Jones, Donnie Caldwell, and DeJuan Alfonzo, wide receiver/linebackers Brett Bech and Shawn Foreman, fullback/linebackers Leroy Thompson, Rich Young, and Sunungura Rusununguko ("GoGo"), defensive specialists Evan Hlavacek and Greg Williams, and offensive/defensive linemen Chris Snyder, Aaron Johnson, Hugh Hunter, Kyle Moore-Brown, John Sikora, and Ricky Hall.
The Firebirds' active roster also includes five newcomers. Headlining the list of newcomers is former Arena Football League Kicker of the Year, Clay Rush. Two-year AFL veteran quarterback Craig Whelihan joins Rush for their first season in a Firebirds' uniform. Three rookies made it through preseason cuts to join the 24-man roster. Wide receiver/defensive back Terrence Blackwell, and offensive/defensive linemen Demetrious Maxie and Jason Padgett all should vie for playing time this season.
The Firebirds will also have a four-man practice squad, which could consist of players who participated in this year's training camp. However, a player must clear waivers before being signed to the Firebirds' practice squad.
In other personnel moves, the Firebirds acquired fullback/linebacker Kevin McLeod in a trade with the Orlando Predators for future considerations. McLeod will be entering his first year in the Arena Football League. He was a sixth round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1998 NFL Draft. Has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ('99-'01)
The 2003 season marks the historic debut of the AFL on NBC. The network will broadcast 70 games next season, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. The Firebirds kick off the 2003 regular season on Sunday, February 2nd on the road against the Detroit Fury which will be aired on UPN Indiana. The Birds' home opener is slated for Sunday, February, 16th versus the Chicago Rush live on NBC Sports. Firebirds' season tickets for the 2003 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling a Firebirds' ticket representative at 317.472.8080. Firebirds merchandise is available at the Home Court Gift Shop, Home Court II in Circle Center Mall and Home Court at Indianapolis International Airport. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 27, 2003
- Crush Announces Practice Roster - Colorado Crush
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- 'Birds Squad Set For Season Opener In Detroit - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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- Rampage News & Notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- SaberCats reach 24-man Roster limit - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Finalize Roster - Dallas Desperados
- Rampage Open 2003 Season on Saturday - Grand Rapids Rampage
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