Desperados to hold invitational combine
September 24, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
Even though the start of the 2005 Arena Football season is just over four months away, it is never too early to try to put the pieces of the roster puzzle together. The Dallas Desperados hope to start filling in the holes on Sunday, September 24 as the team hosts an invitational combine at the Dallas Cowboys Valley Ranch practice facility from 1:00 p.m. â 4:00 p.m. More than 45 future Desperados hopefuls are scheduled to attend â six quarterbacks, 17 wide receivers, 13 defensive backs and 13 OL/DL.
Desperados Head Coach Will McClay is looking forward to the combine this weekend as an un-official start of the AFL season.
"With the signing of free agents beginning Oct. 1, I see this as an opportunity to have a good look at some guys who have NFL experience, have been playing well at the af2 level and some guys looking to break into the league that will be available for us to sign," said McClay. "In this league, you always need to keep your eyes open for talent and we hope to find some players this weekend that will help lead us to success in our 2005 campaign. With the expansion draft next week, there is a good chance we may lose a couple of players â so this weekend is an important opportunity not only for the prospects we are taking a look at, but for the entire Desperados team."
Along with the combine participants, Sunday will mark the first day of official on-field Desperados duty for new offensive coordinator Rich Ingold. Ingold joined the Desperados earlier this month after coaching the Quad City Steamwheelers to three consecutive winning seasons.
"I am really eager to get underway here in Dallas and get the season started. Sunday will be a good opportunity for me to start working on the field with Coach McClay," Ingold said Friday. The combine this weekend will give us a good opportunity to take a look at some quality players that may be a part of the Desperados this season."
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 the coming weeks.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 24, 2004
- Off the wall: Former Predators player finds new challenges as coach - Orlando Predators
- Desperados to hold invitational combine - Dallas Desperados
- Columbus Destroyers to hold local tryout October 16th - Columbus Destroyers
- 2005 Gladiators Dance Team announced - Las Vegas Gladiators
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