Cobras Make Final Roster Moves
Published on April 16, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 15, 2002)- The Carolina Cobras made the final tweaks to their 2002 roster on Monday with a number of roster moves, including the release of quarterback Lance Funderburk. Carolina also waived FB/LB Jimmy Freeman, WR/DB Buddy Crutchfield, FB/LB Marvin Powell and OL/DL Silas Demary.
The Cobras were also involved in a three-way trade with the New York Dragons and Detroit Fury that sent Cobras' defensive specialist Carlos Brooks to New York, Dragon's FB/LB Ricky Wood (6-0, 250, Norfolk State) to Detroit and Fury OL/DL Desmond Byrd (6-3, 280, Oregon) to Carolina. In other moves on Monday, the Cobras also placed OL/DL Voncellies Allen and DS Robert Williams on injured reserve.
Byrd, a three-year AFL veteran who had a career-season with 4.0 sacks in 2001, comes to Carolina after spending the last three seasons (1999-01) with the Florida Bobcats. He was selected by Detroit with their first pick (7th overall) in the 2002 AFL Dispersal Draft.
The release of Funderburk creates a two-man race for the starting quarterback position between veteran Connell Maynor and third-year pro Aaron Sparrow. Cobras first-year head coach Mike Neu is expected to name a starter later this week.
Last week Carolina added veteran defensive specialist Robert Davis (5-9, 200, Vanderbilt), who played with the Nashville Kats from 2000-01, along with linemen Colin Greczek (6-4, 290, Western Michigan) and Tony Henderson (6-1, 285, Michigan). Greczek spent the 2001 season with the Detroit Fury, while Henderson brings six years of AFL experience (Arizona, 1996-99; New England, 2000; Chicago, 2001).
The Cobras will continue with their normal practice schedule (9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.) this week at their outdoor practice field on the NC State Fairgrounds. Carolina opens the regular season this Saturday, April 20, 7 p.m. when they host the expansion Dallas Desperados at the ESA. For season, mini-plan or group tickets, contact the Cobras Ticket Office at (919) 281-0400 or log on to www.cobrasfootball.com. Individual tickets may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling (919) 834-4000 or logging on to www.ticketmaster.com.
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