Desperados Lose Lineman to Super Bowl Champs
July 18, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados lost one of their productive lineman this week as Bernard Holsey signed a contract with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Holsey, who will not play in Saturday's game against the Orlando Predators, will join the Patriots at the training camp at Bryant College in Rhode Island next week.
Holsey originally signed with the Desperados on April 8 and quickly melted into the team's chemistry. He saw action in nine games for Dallas, totaling 13 tackles, a sack, a tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. He recorded three tackles in a game twice, including his best statistical game of the season against Los Angeles (5/4). Against the Avengers, he registered three stops, a sack, a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and a forced fumble.
After five seasons in the NFL, Holsey used his first couple of weeks in Dallas as an adjustment period to the indoor game. However, he quickly picked up the nuances of playing on both sides of the ball and having to protect the quarterback after spending so many years chasing the signal caller.
Holsey returns to the NFL, where he has seen playing time with the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants. He joined the Arena Football League after spending last fall out of football after the Colts released him prior to the season starting.
Aaron Hamilton, who joined the squad two weeks ago after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him, will move into Holsey's spot on the depth chart. Hamilton, a two-year AFL veteran, will play in his first game of the season Saturday night.
Hamilton and the rest of the Desperados will play their final regular season game Saturday at Harrah's Field at American Airlines Center against the Orlando Predators. There is still much at stake, as a victory assures Dallas a home playoff game at Reunion Arena on July 27 or 28. A loss by Dallas, would make the Desperados to keep up with scores around the league before knowing whether they would play their first postseason game at home or on the road. Orlando must win to stay in the playoff picture.
In other roster moves, the Desperados activated OL/DL Matt Norwood from Reserve/Injured today. Norwood has been on IR since June 26 with knee tendonitis. Dallas also placed DS Michael Scott on the Reserve/Injured list on Wednesday, July 17 with a calf strain. Scott strained his left calf last weekend against the Rush in Chicago. He was playing in his first game with Dallas after joining the team a week earlier.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 18, 2002
- This week in the AFL - OSC Original by Mark Sargent
- Central Division All-Stars Named - Portland Forest Dragons
- Phantoms Come Up One Play Short of Playoff Spot - Toronto Phantoms
- SaberCats Sign QB Scott Wood - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Lose Lineman to Super Bowl Champs - Dallas Desperados
- Quick Hitters - AFL I
- A Super Star -- Arena Style - AFL I
- Arena Football League Transactions - 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.
