Cangelosi, others hope to advance

by Mike Vergane
May 9, 2001 - arenafootball2 (af2)

by Mike Vergane

The 2001 NFL draft came and went. Shortly thereafter NFL clubs signed numerous college players to free agent contracts hoping to find that diamond in the rough. Yet 6'4" 220 lb. wide receiver Sean Cangelosi from Louisiana Tech remained unsigned. So he decided to take his trade to the af2 and the Bossier City Battle Wings.

And although Sean's family and friends are hopng an NFL team discovers him playing in arenas around af2, on this evening nobody wants to see this more than the players, coaches and collective fans of the Quad City Steamwheelers. That is because the big offensive specialist torched the Steamwheeler defense for 3 touchdown catches including a 35-yarder on the first play of the game.

"I was a little disappointed," said Cangelosi. "I was approached by a few teams, but it just didn't work out. So, (Head Coach) Pat Tilley gave me a call and gave me a chance to play with the Battle Wings."

His stats don't show it, but Sean admits that he has a long way to go in the learning process of Arena Football. "This is a different game. It is hard to adapt to all of the motion and the different coverages. I'm still not doing it very well. I've only played in two games - it's going to take a while."

Sean's biggest advantage is his size. Once he learns the game and how to use his abilities he should be a force in the af2. After only two games he has 12 catches for 201 yards and 5 TD's.

The knock against him is that he does not have 'NFL' speed. He runs precise routes and he catches what is thrown to him, but he doesn't run a 4.4. 40 yard dash.

You don't need that kind of speed to play Arena Football, however, and his speed certainly didn't stop him from putting up big numbers at Louisiana Tech. As a four year starter for the Bulldogs, Sean caught 155 balls for 2,111 yards and 21 TD's.

Cangelosi was a graduate of Chapel Trafton High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He grew up a LSU Tiger fan, maybe because his father, Dale Cangelosi, was a defensive back at LSU. But Sean liked what he saw at Louisiana Tech. "I knew what kind of wide open offense Coach (Gary) Crowton ran. I wanted to get away from home and I wanted the opportunity to play right away and he gave me the chance to play four years. It was a great choice."

Then Crowton put together a high powered offense. Led by QB Tim Rattay (SF 49ers) and wide receiver Troy Edwards (Pittsburgh Steelers), Louisiana Tech began putting up some gaudy offensive numbers. During Sean's freshman season in 1997, the Bulldogs finished the season with a 9-2 record including wins over the California Golden Bears and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

But it was in 1998 where Louisiana Tech made a national name for themselves. The Bulldogs were invited to play in the Eddie Robinson Classic to start the season on national TV. One small problem. Their opponents were to be the defending national champions, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Cornhuskers won the game 56-27, but the impression that Cangelsoi and his teammates made opened a lot of eyes around the country. Wide receiver Troy Edwards set an All-Time NCAA record that day by catching 21 passes for 405 yards and 3 TD's. Sean added 5 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.

After four years as a Bulldog, Cangelosi grew accustomed to playing on high scoring offenses. That is what drew him to Louisiana Tech and what drew him to the Arena game. And while he masters his craft at Bossier City he is having fun as well. And isn't that what the af2 is all about?

arenafootball2 Stories from May 9, 2001

• Cangelosi, others hope to advance - OSC Original by Mike Vergane
• Week 7 af2 news & notes - OSC Original by af2 Press Release

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.