Crush's Chris Watton signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
June 20, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release
DENVER - Colorado Crush offensive/defensive lineman Chris Watton has signed a multiple-year deal with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced today. As a result, the Crush have placed Watton on the team's Reserve/Exempt list and will maintain his AFL rights.
Watton (6-3, 305, Baylor) just completed his rookie season in the AFL, helping the Crush to a 13-6 record and their first ArenaBowl championship. After missing the first two games of the season with a sprained right knee, Watton appeared in the Crush's final 14 regular season games, starting eight, and also started at offensive guard in all three Crush playoff games. Watton totaled 5.5 tackles during the regular season and added one sack and 0.5 tackle for a loss in the postseason during the Crush's championship run.
"It is always a bittersweet feeling when we have a guy sign with an NFL team," said Mike Dailey, Colorado Crush head coach. "Obviously it is a tremendous opportunity for Chris and we wish him the best of luck, but we will miss him."
Watton, who will wear No. 73, will be attempting to make the Bucs roster as a guard/center. Tampa Bay is his fifth NFL team since he first joined the league in 2000 as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. Watton also attended training camp with the Baltimore Ravens (2001) and Green Bay Packers (2002) before spending parts of the 2002 and 2003 seasons on the Denver Broncos practice squad. Watton was waived by the Broncos following 2004 training camp.
Watton becomes the fourth player on the Crush's Reserve/Exempt list, joining OL/DLs Delbert Cowsette (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Aaron Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs), and WR/DB Robert Redd (Philadelphia Eagles). Both Johnson and Redd played for the Crush in 2004.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 20, 2005
- Crush's Chris Watton signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Colorado Crush
- Billy Parker signs with Miami Dolphins - New York Dragons
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