Cobras Re-Sign Team MVP Bernard Holmes
July 8, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE Â The Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League began a major rebuilding process for the 2004 season by re-signing team Most Valuable Player Bernard Holmes and three other key members of last year's squad. WR/LB Chris Johnson, FB/LB Tim McGill and FB/LB Jason Bratton joined Holmes in agreeing to terms on new contracts with the Cobras.
Holmes led the AFL with 240.1 all-purpose yards per game in 2003. The seven-year AFL veteran recorded 200 or more all-purpose yards in 10 consecutive games played before suffering a season-ending knee injury on April 26 at Arizona. He put together six of the top eight all-purpose yard games in franchise history last year, including the third-best overall performance in AFL history with 413 all-purpose yards against Georgia on April 18. Despite appearing in just 11 games, Holmes set new franchise season records for touchdowns (20), 100-yard receiving games (6), kickoff returns (74), kickoff return yards (1,546), combined return yards (1,644) and all-purpose yards (2,641).
"I wanted to come back to Charlotte because I feel like this program can be successful," said Holmes. "I'm ready to get even more involved in the Charlotte community next season and show that the Cobras organization is headed in the right direction."
Johnson showed signs of the star that he could become with two standout games in his rookie campaign. His best outing of the season came on May 4 against Chicago when he stepped in for the injured Holmes at offensive specialist and responded with 10 receptions for 115 yards and three touchdowns against the Rush. It was Johnson's second 100-yard game of the season  he had nine receptions for 112 yards and two scores at San Jose on March 28. Johnson finished third on the club with 37 catches for 392 yards and nine touchdowns in just eight games played.
McGill was tabbed as the club's Most Improved Player in 2003. The 6-2, 300 pound rookie appeared as a lineman in 10 of Carolina's first 12 games before shifting to fullback/linebacker for the team¹s final four outings. He recorded 13.5 tackles, five quarterback hurries and two sacks for the season.
"Both Johnson and McGill made great strides in their rookie seasons," said Cobras Interim Head Coach Eddie Khayat. "Johnson has the ability to become the big play guy, his best football is ahead of him. McGill is going to develop into an outstanding pass rusher, a real force on defense."
Bratton appeared in 10 games and made seven starts for the Cobras after signing as a free agent on February 10. He brings veteran leadership to the squad in addition to his outstanding special teams play and blocking ability.
Carolina will now turn its attention to one of the biggest free agent pools in AFL history to address the areas the team needs to strengthen before the start of training camp in January. AFL teams will be allowed to begin signing free agents on October 15.
The Cobras will begin their fifth season in the Arena Football League when the 2004 campaign kicks off the weekend of February 6-8. Season tickets are on sale now and start as low as $64 per seat. For more information, call 877-4-COBRAS or visit www.cobrasfootball.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 8, 2003
- Summer Football Camps Return - Chicago Rush
- Cobras Re-Sign Team MVP Bernard Holmes - Carolina Cobras
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