Cooper Released; AFL Vet Bowden Signs
March 4, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Buffalo Destroyers announced today they have released WR/DB Bret Cooper and waived OL/DL Demond Gibson. The team has signed free agent WR/DB James Bowden and has signed OL/DL Gonzalo Floyd to the active roster from the practice squad.
Cooper, one of the best two way players in Arena Football League history, appeared in four games this season with five receptions for 67 and two touchdowns. Cooper was the third leading tackler with 14.5 stops, one interception and four pass breakups. He was the Destroyers second leading receiver last season with 643 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cooper ranks in the top 20 all-time in the AFL in five categories. He is fifth all time with 14.7 yards per reception, 12th with four interceptions returned for touchdowns, 14th with 5,415 receiving yards, tied for 17th with 87 receiving touchdowns and 19th with 370 receptions.
Gibson played in four games this season recording 3.5 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Bowden (6-0, 185, North Carolina A&T), a six year AFL veteran, has played for the New Jersey Gladiators (2002), Tampa Bay Storm (2000-01), New England Sea Wolves (1999) and New York City Hawks (1997-98). He played in seven games last season for the Gladiators and had 22 receptions for 264 yards and four touchdowns. On the defensive side, he recorded eight tackles and one sack. Bowden was named Second Team All Arena in 2001 as an offensive specialist with the Storm racking up 2,550 all-purpose yards and 30 touchdowns.
Floyd (6-2, 240, UTEP), originally signed with Buffalo in the off-season and was on the team's practice squad for the first five weeks of the season. He played seven seasons for the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger Cats (1996-2002) and is seventh all-time with 22 sacks. His 170 tackles places him 11th in Tiger Cats history. Floyd had a career high 41 tackles leading the Tiger Cats to the Grey Cup Championship in 1999.
Buffalo (3-2) heads to the Sunshine State this Saturday, March 8 to weather the Tampa Bay Storm at 8:00 p.m. at the St. Petersburg Times Forum. You can follow the game with live scoring updates and stats at www.buffalodestroyers.com/warzone.html.
The Destroyers return home Sunday, March 23 as they make their network television debut on NBC hosting the Las Vegas Gladiators at noon. Mini packs and group tickets are on sale now, call the Destroyers ticket office at 716-881-4444! Single game tickets can be purchased online at tickets.com and at all tickets.com locations including Tops Friendly Markets or by phone at 1-888-223-6000.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 4, 2003
- SaberCats Game Notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Firebirds Game Notes - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Avengers Game Notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rush Game Notes - Chicago Rush
- Destroyers Game Notes - Buffalo Destroyers
- Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
- Cobras News & Notes - Carolina Cobras
- Rampage Embark on Three-Game Road Swing - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Cooper Released; AFL Vet Bowden Signs - Buffalo Destroyers
- Desperados Kubiak Named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Dallas Desperados
- Lindsay Fleshman Named AFL Ironman of the Week - Chicago Rush
- Cobras Host Las Vegas In Sunday Matinee - Carolina Cobras
- Kubiak Tops Weekly Award Winners - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
