Desperados land two top free agent quarterbacks
October 15, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
In their first free agency moves, the Dallas Desperados signed two top, free agent quarterbacks -Chris Greisen and Clint Stoerner. Both came to terms with the club Friday and will compete with Scott Dreisbach for the starting job.
"Overall, we are looking forward to a competitive camp at all positions, including quarterback," said Head Coach Will McClay. "We will bring three quarterbacks to camp and see who can lead the team the best. For us to succeed this season, we will need solid, smart play from the quarterback. We are pleased that our off-season efforts have landed us two top, free agent quarterbacks."
Greisen comes to Dallas as an AFL rookie with NFL and af2 experience. He was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. While in Arizona, he saw time in four games backing up Jake Plummer, completing seven-of-16 passes for 69 yards and one touchdown. He signed with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe in 2003 and helped lead the team to a berth in the World Bowl by completing 76-of-131 passes (58.0%) for 843 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He picked up indoor experience playing 10 games with the Green Bay Blizzards of af2 last season and finished second in the league with 2,718 yards and 10 touchdowns on 183-of-311 passing. Greisen was a two-year starter at Northwest Missouri State and set school career records, racking up 5,731 yards passing and 51 touchdowns.
"Chris has been a winner at every level he has played," McClay said. "He has all the things you are looking for in an AFL quarterback. Our offensive coordinator, Rich Ingold, thought he was the best prospect to come out of af2 since the league began, and Chris was the guy he wanted to go after. Because of his af2 experience, he understands the angles of the game and has an idea of the speed in which things need to happen."
Stoerner returns to Dallas after spending three seasons as the Dallas Cowboys' backup quarterback (2000-02), two seasons in NFL Europe with the Amsterdam Admirals (2004) and the Scottish Claymores (2003) and two stints with the Miami Dolphins (preseason 2003 and 2004). Stoerner appeared in six NFL games for Dallas - starting two - and connected on 29-of-54 passes for 367 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. He originally signed with the club as a rookie free agent in 2000. He started 10 games for the Claymores in 2003 and completed 171-of-307 passes for 1,866 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In 2004, he returned to Europe with the Amsterdam Admirals and completed 147-of-259 passes for 1,788 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Stoerner closed his collegiate career as the University of Arkansas' most prolific passer. He set school career records in attempts (1,023), completions (528), passing yards (7,422) and touchdowns (57).
"Clint is a proven winner and leader who has the ability to get his teammates to believe in him and rally around him," McClay added. "He has started games in the NFL for the Cowboys and understands the way we want things done within the organization, and that is to win. Even though he has not played AFL, he possesses the fundamentals and skills to adapt to the speed and angles of the game."
The AFL kicks off the 2005 season the weekend of Jan. 29-30. The 2005 season will once again consist of 16 regular season games â eight home games and eight road games â and NBC Sports will continue to televise weekly AFL games. The Arena Football League is finalizing the 2005 schedule and should be releasing that information in coming weeks.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 15, 2004
- Rattlers To Hold Open Tryouts October 17th and 18th - Arizona Rattlers
- Kats To Hold Open Player Tryouts - Nashville Kats
- Desperados land two top free agent quarterbacks - Dallas Desperados
- Wranglers pick up QB in dispersal draft - Austin Wranglers
- Destroyers select former Bengal Norris McCleary in dispersal draft - Columbus Destroyers
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