Blaze Ink Three in Preparation for Spokane

July 7, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze are pleased to announce the signings of QB Todd Hammel (6-2, 220, Stephens F. Austin), QB EJ Nemeth (6-4, 245, Sacred Heart) and FB/LB Brenton Brady (6-0, 258, Alfred) to the 2011 roster.

"We are fortunate at this point of the season to be able to sign two quality quarterbacks. Having a signal caller like Todd Hammel with his vast experiences is helpful to fill the void under center," said Head Coach Ron James. "We also feel that the indoor experience that EJ Nemeth brings will contribute greatly to our offense."

Hammel is a 17-year AFL veteran and has most recently played with the Chicago Rush and Jacksonville Sharks in 2010. He has played for ten teams since his AFL career began in 1992, including a season with the Houston Thunderbears with Head Coach Ron James. In his career, he has completed 2,175-of-3,847 passes for 27,093 yards and 425 touchdowns. Hammel was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 12th round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Nemeth joins the Blaze after guiding the Trenton Steel of the Southern Indoor Football League to an 8-4 record this past 2011 season. He completed 246-of-422 passes for 3,169 yards and 70 touchdowns. Nemeth played collegiately at Sacred Heart University before leading the Baltimore Mariners to the 2010 AIFA Championship after a perfect 16-0 regular season record.

Brady, also a SIFL product, most recently played in 10 games with the Erie Explosion. He notched 35.0 total tackles, including 10.0 for a loss of 63 yards, 9.5 sacks for a loss of 57 yards, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, one pass breakup, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick. Prior to the Explosion, he played with the Rochester Raiders of the Indoor Football League where he was named to the 2010 IFL All-Pro Team. He finished the 2010 season ranked fourth in total tackles in the entire twenty-five team league. Brady finished his impressive 2010 campaign with 117.0 total tackles, one sack, three forced fumbles and four pass breakups. Brady also spent time with the Albany Conquest and Mahoning Valley Thunder of the af2.

"Brady is an exciting linebacker and defensive lineman with indoor football experience. He has played in the type of defensive system we utilize and we believe he has a tremendous upside," said James.

In other roster moves, QB Tommy Grady (6-7, 245, Utah) was placed on the Injured Reserve List and WR Ernie Pierce (6-4, 209, Kansas State) was placed on the Other League Exempt List (UFL).

The Blaze will be taking on the Spokane Shock in the first-ever regular season outdoor arena football game. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (MT) on Saturday, July 9th at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane, Wash. The game will be televised locally on CW-30.



Arena Football League Stories from July 7, 2011


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