Destroyers continue to build roster for 2005

Published on October 12, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Destroyers announced today the addition of ten free agents to their offseason roster as preparations for the 2005 Arena Football League season continue. The club announced the re-signing of quarterback Matt D'Orazio and has also agreed to terms with a pair of AFL veterans in wide receiver/defensive back Jason Kaiser and offensive/defensive lineman D'Angelo Lloyd.

In addition, the Destroyers have acquired seven rookie free agents, including defensive specialists Cordell Taylor and Justin Isom, wide receiver/defensive back Torrey Day, wide receiver/linebacker Dre Fulgham, fullback/linebacker J.R. Suguturaga and offensive/defensive linemen Jeremy Caudill and Josh Beckham.

"We feel fortunate to have been able to sign such a great group of young guys who we feel have a chance to contribute to the success of our football team," said Head Coach Chris Spielman. "All of these players show tremendous promise and it's really exciting to see our roster begin to take shape."

D'Orazio, a Columbus, Ohio native prepped at St. Francis DeSales High School, returns to the Destroyers after serving as a reserve quarterback during the 2004 season. He is entering his fourth season in the AFL, having previously spent time in Milwaukee (2000) and Buffalo (2002). As a senior at Otterbein College, D'Orazio led the Ohio Athletic Conference in total offense and finished 10th in total offense and 13th in passing efficiency among all Division III programs.

Kaiser makes his return to the AFL after most recently playing for the Detroit Fury in 2003 where he finished the season with 64 catches for 562 yards and 15 touchdowns, while rushing the ball four times for 15 yards and a score. Defensively, he had 17 total tackles, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one interception. He began his AFL career in 2002, spending time with both the Tampa Bay Storm and Dallas Desperados.

Lloyd enters his second season in the league after spending his rookie campaign as a member of the Carolina Cobras. He finished the season with five tackles, two pass deflections and one sack on Carolina's defensive line a year ago. Prior to entering the AFL, Lloyd had stints with four NFL teams, including the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins.

Taylor, a former standout at Hampton (VA) College, begins his first season in the AFL after making four stops in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers from 1998-2002. He was Jacksonville's second round selection in the 1998 NFL Draft. Isom enters the professional ranks after three years as a corner for the University of Minnesota (2001-2003). As a junior, Isom led the Golden Gophers in interceptions with three and was third on the squad in tackles with 68.

Day spent last season with the Green Bay Blizzard of arenafootball2 where in eight games he had 32 receptions for 484 yards and seven touchdowns and added 20.5 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. He played his college ball at Alabama A&M. Fulgham emerged as the University of Alabama's the top receiver during his senior season with the Crimson Tide, catching 30 passes for a team-high 475 yards and four touchdowns in 2003.

Suguturaga joins the Destroyers and the AFL out of Utah State where he lined up as a tight end and fullback. Known for his size and athleticism, Suguturaga will provide depth at the fullback/linebacker position for the Destroyers in 2005. A three-year starter at defensive end for the University of Kentucky, Caudill finished his collegiate career with 125 tackles (25 solo), 8.5 sacks, five pass deflections and two blocked kicks. Beckham, a product of Cal-Berkley, also enters his first season in the AFL and has potential to compete for a roster spot as a lineman when the Destroyers' training camp starts this January.

Columbus Destroyers season tickets for the 2005 season are now available by calling (614) 246-HITS or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. Preliminary auditions for the Destroyers' official dance team, the BOMBSHELLS, will be held on Tuesday, November 2 at Nationwide Arena from 6-8 p.m. The Destroyers, in conjunction with Nike, will unveil a new logo along with modified uniforms for the 2005 season in November.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 12, 2004


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