Blaze Shake up Roster, Make Moves on Defense
Published on April 9, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Utah Blaze News Release
SALT LAKE CITY - Coming off of the team's first bye week, the Utah Blaze have announced several roster moves. LB Joe Mortensen and DL TJ Raymond have been placed on the active roster after spending the first four games of the season on injured reserve. Utah has also been assigned LB Roosevelt Falls, who earned a contract after practicing with the team via a pair of one-day waivers.
Falls (6-1, 232, Louisiana Tech) first caught the attention of the coaching staff during Utah's open tryout in November, where he posted an outstanding 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds. Although Falls is expected to compete at Jack linebacker for the Blaze, he played running back during his collegiate career at Louisiana Tech.
"Roosevelt Falls is an exceptional athlete," said President & Head Coach Ron James. "He has the requisite speed of an outstanding linebacker and great instincts for the arena game. We are anxious to see what type of impact he will have on our defense and special teams this year."
Mortensen (6-1, 260, Kansas) is another athlete who earned a roster spot as a waiver prospect. He enjoyed a decorated career at the University of Kansas and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2007 after leading the Jayhawks with 106 tackles, including three sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Following college, Mortensen participated in rookie minicamp with the Buffalo Bills. He later moved on the United Football League, where he played for the New York Sentinels and Hartford Colonials.
"Joe's a spark plug that gives maximum effort on every play," said Coach James. "He's the type of linebacker that can make big plays for our defense."
Raymond (6-3, 330, Northeastern State) started nine games for the Blaze in 2011 and totaled 12.0 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Although statistics didn't always indicate his impact, Raymond provided the team with a strong interior defender capable of collapsing the pocket.
"T.J. is a big, physical nose guard who plays full-tilt on every snap. He'll continue to improve the play of our defensive line."
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