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Blaze to open training camp February 7

January 31, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Utah Blaze News Release


SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Blaze will begin training camp for their second season on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. The much anticipated season brings both old and new additions to the 2007 Blaze roster.

The players and coaches will train together for two and a half weeks prior to the season opener on March 3, 2007 at 7 p.m. against the New Orleans VooDoo. Training camp will begin on February 7 at 10 a.m. at Energy Solutions Arena. Practices will run from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and from 3-5 p.m. for the first week of the camp.

"We've been looking forward to training camp for some time now," said Blaze head coach and general manager DANNY WHITE. "The talent on this roster is outstanding. From rookies to veterans, it's a good mix of experience that I am confident will bring us success in the upcoming season."

Of the 37 players on the training camp roster, 18 are returning from last year and 19 are new additions. FRANK CARTER (6-2, 260, MacMurray) joins the Blaze with five years of AFL experience. The former All-Arena FB/LB has played with the Las Vegas Gladiators and the Nashville Kats. Carter's arrival in Utah reunites him with former Las Vegas coach, RON JAMES. James is the newest addition to the Blaze coaching staff.

With seven years of AFL experience, STEVE KONOPKA (6-4, 286, Central Connecticut), who is climbing the AFL's all-time sack leader chart, joins the Blaze. Fans might remember when Konopka blocked STEVE VIDETICH's 34-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining in the 49-47 loss to the Gladiators at home on May 24, 2006.

CLARENCE LAWSON (5-8, 180, Utah) joins the Blaze after playing his last four seasons with the Arizona Rattlers. In his 2006 season, he totaled 55.5 tackles, three interceptions and led the team with 38 kick returns for a total 270 yards. Lawson has eight years of AFL experience and was a three-year letterman at the University of Utah.

Other new veterans rounding out the training camp roster include CHRIS JANEK (6-3, 315, Wisconsin) from Columbus and ROB GATRELL (6-5, 290, Fresno State) from Las Vegas. Both players bring a combined nine years of AFL experience and will be a valuable addition to the line.

2007 UTAH BLAZE TRAINING CAMP NUMERICAL ROSTER NUMBER NAME POS HEIGHT WEIGHT BIRTHDATE COLLEGE AFL EXP.

1 Aaron Boone WR/LB 6'2 210 1/13/78 Kentucky 1

2 Valentine Chude FB/LB 6'2 255 8/24/83 W. New Mexico R

3 Justin Skaggs WR/LB 6'2 202 4/22/79 Evangel 2

4 Orshawante Bryant WR/DB 6'0 185 11/16/78 Portland State 5

5 Siaha Burley WR 6'0 185 7/16/77 Central Florida 6

6 Kevin Adams DB 6'0 190 6/16/84 Minnesota State R

7 Brandon Everage DB 6'0 194 9/24/80 Oklahoma R

8 DaQuan Davis DB 5'11 185 4/15/76 Abilene Christian 1

9 Ryan Dennard WR/LB 6'3 215 2/27/79 Arizona State 1

10 Joe Germaine QB 6'2 220 11/16/75 Ohio State 3

12 Garrett Smith OL/DL 6'3 285 2/18/80 Utah 1

13 Steve Videtich K 6'2 185 11/4/71 North Carolina State 11

14 Kevin Moffett DB 6'1 185 3/6/82 Southern 1

15 Tali Ena QB 6'4 235 7/10/81 New Mexico 1

17 Jason Gesser QB 6'1 210 5/31/79 Washington State 1

20 Kevin Clemens FB/LB 6'1 275 6/20/76 Grand Valley State 7

21 Michael Davis, Jr. WR 6'3 190 1/19/84 Arizona State R

23 Tom Pace WR/LB 5'11 215 4/5/78 Arizona State 4

24 Don Expose FB/LB 6'3 265 8/11/82 Southern R

27 Clarence Lawson WR 5'8 180 5/12/76 Utah 8

31 Chris Robinson FB/LB 6'3 272 12/30/80 New Hampshire 1

40 Frank Carter FB/LB 6'2 260 10/17/77 MacMurray 5

42 J'Sharlon Jones WR/DB 5'9 183 5/16/78 Colorado State 1

43 Kautai Olevao FB/LB 6'1 267 9/27/77 Utah 1

52 Chris Janek OL/DL 6'3 315 8/14/77 Wisconsin 6

54 Steve Konopka OL/DL 6'4 286 5/12/76 Central Conn. State 7

66 Brandon Eaton OL/DL 6'2 314 1/18/83 Hawaii R

72 Hans Olsen OL/DL 6'4 295 7/31/77 Brigham Young 3

75 Myniya Smith OL/DL 6'6 340 7/21/82 Southern R

79 Jesse Boone OL/DL 6'5 305 1/28/82 Utah R

88 Edward Simms WR/DB 6'4 228 11/25/80 William Penn R

91 Manaia Brown OL/DL 6'3 320 7/17/81 BYU R

92 Bruce Blue OL/DL 6'2 270 10/28/83 Western New Mexico 1

95 John Culp OL/DL 6'5 295 9/20/79 Kansas 1

97 Ernest Grant OL/DL 6'6 320 5/17/76 AR-Pine Bluff 2

98 Rob Gatrell OL/DL 6'5 290 3/17/77 Fresno State 3

99 Lewis Powell OL/DL 6'3 285 1/29/81 Utah 1



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 31, 2007


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