Burn Add Experience To Defense
December 18, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Boise Burn News Release
BOISE, Idaho ¾ The Boise Burn announced today that four players have been assigned to the team by the arenafootball2 League Office, including a pair of players that should bring some much needed experience to a defense that ranked last in the af2 in 2007. Former University of Oregon Defensive End Chris Solomona and former Idaho State Bengal Defensive Back Josh Robinson will join the 2008 Burn roster, along with Defensive End CJ Niusulu and Offensive Lineman Andre Asaua.
Solomona, 6-5 and 283-pounds, played two years at the University of Oregon from 2003-2004. As a Duck, Solomona played in all 24 games, starting all 11 games his senior season. He recorded 63 tackles (13 for loss), seven sacks and two interceptions, both of which were returned for TD's (Washington, Idaho). Solomona was the Ducks most improved player in 2004 and also received a Pac 10 Honorable mention that year. In 2005, Solomona signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins where he tallied 11 tackles in four preseason games with the fins coming up just short of making the Dolphins opening day roster. Solomona went into training camp with the National Champion San Jose Sabercats in 2007. He was later released after suffering a groin injury in camp. This will be his first stint in the af2.
Robinson, 6-0 and 192-pounds, was a four-year starter for the Bengals from 1998-2001. He totaled 205 career tackles (123 solo), eight tackles for a loss, and 33 passes defended. He finished his career second on the school's all-time interceptions list with 16 and served as the teams defensive captain as a senior. In 2002, Robinson signed as a rookie free agent with the Baltimore Ravens where he was second on the depth chart at free safety, and played in three preseason games. Robinson was near the last group to be cut when released in August 2002 and was featured on ESPN's "Hey Rookie Welcome to the NFL." From 2004-2006, Robinson played in the af2 with three teams (Hawaii Islanders, Bakersfield Blitz, Central Valley Coyotes) recording 211 tackles and 18 interceptions (3 returned for TD's). After sitting out in 2007, Robinson is expected to be a defensive leader for the Burn in 2008.
Niusulu is a 6-2, 280-pound native of Barstow, CA. He played three years at UCLA (2002-2004), where he compiled 53 tackles (9.5 TFL), three sacks and one interception. CJ transferred to Portland State in 2006, racking up 28 tackles (6.5 TFL), 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in his senior year. Niusulu will be playing in his first season in the af2.
Asaua, 6-1, 295-pounds, comes to Boise via Auckland, New Zealand. Asaua played college ball at Mt. Albert Grammar in Auckland. Asaua was signed to an international contract and will also be playing his first season in the af2.
Team notes:
The Boise Burn have signed four defensive lineman out of the Pac-10: Mike Mapu (Washington), CJ Niusulu (UCLA), Chris Solomona (Oregon), and Travis Tofi (USC).
The Boise Burn roster consists of the following 30 players to-date: WR/LB Casey Allen; OL Andrew Asaua; K Dan Beardall; FB/LB Derek Beardall; WR/DB Chris Boock; QB Jason Campbell; OL/DL Joe Critchfield; FB/LB Corey Dodds; FB/LB Kelly Gilchrist; OL/DL Derek Governor; WR/DB Ahmad Harris; WR/DB Ernie James; WR/DB Bryan Langford; WR/DB Jacques Lazarus; FB/LB Levi Madarieta; OL/DL Mike Mapu; OL/DL CJ Niusulu; WR/DB Shadrach Okoebor; OL/DL Mike Peko; QB BJ Rhode; DB Josh Robinson; QB Matt Schabert; WR/DB Rob Sirstins; DL Chris Solomona; DL Travis Tofi; WR/LB Zach Tune; FB/LB Matt Walters; OL/DL Mark Weivoda; OL/DL Philemon Wilson; FB/LB Cody Wood.
The Boise Burn will kick off its second season on April 5th in Tulsa, with the home opener slated for April 19th against the Tri-Cities Fever. Season tickets are available by calling (208) 383-0080. For more information and to get a full schedule, visit www.boiseburn.com.
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