Destroyers cut roster to 24
April 13, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY) – The Buffalo Destroyers got their roster set for the 2002 season announcing they have waived five players to get down to the 24-man roster limit.
The Destroyers waived:
13 Jim Ballard 6-4 220 QB Mt. Union 2
22 Mike Chandler 6-0 200 WR/DB Kansas R
23 Tyrone Laster 6-0 195 DS Virginia Union R
54 Jeremy Johnson 6-4 275 OL/DL Western Michigan R
88 Derek Baker 5-11 165 OS Buffalo St. R
"It was an extremely difficult process letting these players go,”said Destroyers head coach and general manager Ray Bentley. “I wish we could have kept them all because I believe they can all play at this level. I hope to bring Derek Baker and Jeremy Johnson back to the practice squad if they clear waivers."
Baker, a Buffalo State alum, played well in the Destroyers two pre-season contests, he returned a kick off 55 yards for a touchdown vs. Detroit and caught a 22-yard touchdown Thursday vs. Grand Rapids. Ballard was 3 of 10 passing for 34 yards in the two pre-season games. Chandler caught four passes for 46 yards while Laster recorded 7.5 tackles and Johnson played solid on the offensive and defensive lines.
"It is sad on the one hand but exciting on the other in that we have our team set for the regular season and we are ready to roll,” Bentley added.
The Destroyers also announced that OL/DL Sam Mavrick has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury late in the fourth quarter of the Destroyers 51-48 win over Grand Rapids.
The Destroyers open the 2002 season this Friday, April 19 at the HSBC Arena as they host the New Jersey Gladiators at 7:30PM. Season and group tickets are on sale now. Call 881-4444 today.
Buffalo Destroyers 2002 Regular Season Roster
No. Name Ht. Wt. Position College Exp.
1 Lamont Cooper 5-7 170 OS Wayne St. (NE) 6
2 Thomas Bailey 6-0 205 WR/LB Auburn 4
3 Bret Cooper 6-0 190 WR/DB Central Florida 8
5 Carlos James 6-0 185 WR/DB Iowa 8
6 Aleric Clark 5-10 185 WR/DB Texas A&M Kingsville R
8 Eddie Brown 6-0 180 WR/LB Michigan St. 10
9 Fred McNair 6-2 235 QB Alcorn St. 9
11 Jeff Loots 6-2 205 QB SW St. (MN) 7
12 Kevin Mason 6-4 205 WR/LB Syracuse 3
15 Steve McLaughlin 6-2 195 K Arizona 4 21 Dwaine Carpenter 6-2 205 DS N. Carolina A&T R
27 Corey Johnson 5-9 185 DS Georgia 4
40 Juan Long 6-3 245 FB/LB Mississippi St. 3
42 John Motton 6-1 240 FB/LB Akron 5
43 Prentice Taylor 6-0 200 DS West Texas A&M 3
44 Jason Bratton 6-1 255 FB/LB Grambling St. 4
48 Derrick Chachere 6-2 240 FB/LB Nevada-Reno 6
55 David Caldwell 6-3 285 OL/DL TCU 10
65 Eric Miller 6-4 285 OL/DL Miami, Fla. 6
69 Jerry Sharp 6-3 290 OL/DL Syracuse 7
77 Jerry Crafts 6-7 355 OL/DL Louisville 3
90 Desmon Baker 6-5 305 OL/DL Valdosta St. 2
93 Kerwin Hairston 6-3 295 OL/DL Virginia Tech 1
98 Hardy Mitchell 6-4 290 OL/DL Univ. of Buffalo 3
Injured Reserve:
62 Sam Mavrick 6-3 290 OL/DL W. Virginia Tech 1 83 Jarrail Jackson 5-8 185 OS Oklahoma R
Exempt:
-- Reggie Allen (NFLEL) 6-2 200 WR/DB Central Michigan 2
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 13, 2002
- Destroyers cut roster to 24 - Buffalo Destroyers
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