Dolezel, Hall reunited

by AFL Press Release
Published on January 23, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)

AFL SIGNINGS
Former Houston QB/WR ROBERT HALL, reunites with former teammate CLINT DOLEZEL (as ThunderBears) and signed a one-year contract with ArenaBowl Champs Grand Rapids as an OS. free agent WR/LB SHALON BAKER agreed to a one-year contract to return to San Jose. the Avengers waived NFL veterans JIM DRUCKENMILLER (first round pick in 1997 NFL draft) and TRAVIS HANNAH (fourth round, 1993).

COACHING ADDITIONS

Arizona -- Former Chicago Bear DOUG PLANK has been named the Rattlers' defensive coordinator. Plank played in three Rose Bowls under legendary coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State (1973, '74, '75). Since 1995, Plank has been a member of Arizona's broadcast team -- five years as radio analyst and the past two seasons as the television color analyst.

Carolina - The Cobras named BRENNEN BOOTH as the team's line coach for the 2002 season. Booth served as the FB/LB coach for Nashville last year.

Dallas - The Desperados added former ArenaBowl Champ WILL MCCLAY as the team 's defensive coordinator. McClay, who earned three championships with the Detroit Drive (as a WR/LB from 1989-92), has spent 11 seasons as an AFL player and in the coaching ranks, most recently as defensive coordinator for Grand Rapids in 1998.

IN THE NFL
Closing In on a Champ - Four former AFL players tighten their focus on a Super Bowl championship ring -- Pittsburgh Steelers QB TOMMY MADDOX (New Jersey, 2000), New England Patriots WR DAVID PATTEN (Albany, 1996), St. Louis' KURT WARNER QB (Iowa, 1995-97) and Rams center ANDY MCCOLLUM (former Mustangs lineman, 1994).

AT THE POLLS
Take a look at the results from a recent arenafootball.com web poll, which asked, "How do you think Orlando will do with JAY GRUDEN under center in 2002?"

    *  Playoff team - 36%
    *  Less than .500 record - 34%
    *  ArenaBowl XVI champions - 14%
    *  .500 record - 10%
    *  ArenaBowl XVI participants - 6%

ARENA HEROES
Grand Rapids - As part of the Rampage Outreach Program, the ArenaBowl champs speak with kids about life lessons, like staying in school, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and citizenship. The team spent Monday at Brandon Elementary in Martin, Mich.; tomorrow, they will speak at Iroquois Middle School.

Indiana - Firebirds OS EDDIE BROWN and FB/LB LEROY THOMPSON will appear as halftime entertainment when NBA's Indiana Pacers host the Charlotte Hornets this Friday at Conseco Fieldhouse. They will be playing a game of Simon says along with local media and Indiana Fever players.

New Jersey - Gladiators kicker STEVE VIDETICH will speak with the 5th grade class at Lincoln Elementary in Rutherford, N.J. this Friday to discuss safety in sports. Head coach FRANK HAEGE will be at Columbia Middle School in Union County as part of "S.T.E.E.L. T.E.A.M.," a one time assembly defined as "speaker, topic, evolves, everyone learns -- together everybody achieves more."

OPEN TRYOUTS
Dallas Desperados -- Saturday, January 26 at Texas Stadium (www.dallasdesperados.com, for more information).

Grand Rapids - Saturday, January 26 at Southern University Football Facility in Baton Rouge, La., for more information, call the Rampage coaches office at (616) 975-7708.

Los Angeles - Saturday, February 2 at their training facility at West L.A. College, for more information, call (310) 838-3707.

San Jose -- Saturday, February 2 at American River College in Sacramento, Calif. Prospects can receive tryout materials by logging on to the SaberCats ' official website, www.sanjosesabercats.com.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 23, 2002

• Dolezel, Hall reunited - OSC Original by AFL Press Release

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