Dallas Reloads Roster With Free Agent Additions
November 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
DALLAS, Texas - The Dallas Desperados have been aggressive this offseason in free agency and trades, signing 10 players to new contracts including nine new players highlighted by one of the most accurate kickers in AFL history in Remy Hamilton. The team has also kept its focus on some of its key components from last season's record setting 15-1 regular season, re-signing key cog OL/DL Jeff Chase.
"Our organization is very excited about the free agents we have been able to attract thus far," said Head Coach Will McClay. "We feel like we have found players that want to be here and believe in what we are trying to accomplish which is to win a championship, and it all begins in the offseason. We are always trying to improve and hopefully these new additions will bring us closer to our ultimate goal."
The following is a brief bio of each player that has been brought in for the 2008 Desperados season:
OL/DL Chris Berg is a three-year AFL veteran who started nine games at guard, linebacker and defensive line as well as seeing time on special teams while with the New Orleans VooDoo last season.
OL/DL Cyron Brown is a five-year AFL veteran that made contributions on both sides of the ball in 2007 for the Kansas City Brigade, tallying 7.0 tackles and a half sack on defense and three receptions for 17 yards (5.7 avg.) and one touchdown on offense.
OL Jeff Chase, a six-year AFL veteran, re-signed with the Desperados this offseason for his fifth season in Dallas where he has made 59-of-61 starts at center for the Desperados, including 13 starts in 2007.
DB DaShane Dennis is a four-year AFL veteran that not only adds to the defensive secondary but is also a duel threat as a return man, finishing the 2007 season with the New York Dragons with 81.0 total tackles and 1,282 return yards (22.1 avg.) - good for the third-most return yards in the league.
OL Aaron Gibson was acquired on October 12, 2007 in a trade with the Utah Blaze for OL Devin Wyman, bringing with him five years of NFL experience with the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears while also playing with the Austin Wranglers during the 2007 season.
K Remy Hamilton, an 11-year AFL veteran, comes to the Desperados as one of the most prolific kickers in league history, ranking second all-time in points amongst kickers with 1,385 points. Last season with the Los Angeles Avengers, Hamilton scored the third most points amongst all AFL kickers with 149 points on 16-of-30 field goal attempts (53.3%) while also converting on 101-of-114 PATs (88.6%).
DB Johnnie Harris, a seven-year AFL veteran, has seen stints in Tampa Bay (1996-98), Orlando (2005), Philadelphia (2007) and Grand Rapids (2006-07) while totaling 304.0 tackles and 35 interceptions during his career. He split last season with six games in Philadelphia and nine games in Grand Rapids, finishing with 57.0 total tackles (32.5 in Grand Rapids) and seven interceptions including five interceptions with Grand Rapids to lead the Rampage defense.
DL Bryan Henderson is a six-year AFL veteran who spent the 2007 season with the Rampage where he tied for the team-lead in sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (4.5).
OL Brett Rayl, who was a part of this year's open tryouts, will look to break into the AFL with his rookie season set to begin with the Desperados after a stellar career at the University of Oklahoma.
QB Chris Sanders, a five-year AFL veteran, completed 50-of-100 passes (50.0%) for 633 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Arizona Rattlers during the 2007 season.
The Dallas Desperados open the 2008 season in a nationally televised game on ABC at the Georgia Force on March 1 at 12 p.m.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 7, 2007
- Blaze Signs Nine Players For 2008 Season - Utah Blaze
- DL Lauvale Sape signs with VooDoo - New Orleans VooDoo
- Georgia Force Sign Former Falcons DL Michael Bozeman - Georgia Force
- Dallas Reloads Roster With Free Agent Additions - Dallas Desperados
- Rush releases QB Matt D'Orazio - Chicago Rush
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