Dragons Add Another Four
November 13, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The Dragons have dipped into to the af2 talent pool once again adding defensive back Yaacov Yisrael. The team has also signed defensive linemen Robert Branch and Tyler King and full back Mike Jemison, bringing their active roster to 35. Only two spots remain open heading into training camp.
The Dragons continue to recruit from the af2 this year with the addition of Yisrael (6-0, 195). Yisrael spent his first season in the af2 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. He played in every game this past season and rushed 17 times for a total of 43 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 54 receptions for 687 yards and nine touchdowns, along with 61 tackles on defense. Yisrael started his professional career spending time in the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in 2004. He attended Penn State from 2000-2003 where in 34 games he recorded 193.0 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five interceptions, 17 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
"Yaacov is another athlete following in the mold of previous successful athlete's like Will Holder and Billy Parker," said head coach Weylan Harding. "We definitely want to take advantage of the experience he has gotten from the af2. He has potential to be part of the mix here on Long Island and we look forward to him competing with the rest of the guys in training camp."
Branch (6-3, 305) comes to the Dragons from the American Indoor Football League's Lakeland Thunderbolts where he spent the 2006 season and helped lead them to a 13-3 record along with the number one ranked defense in the league. Following his two seasons at Stillman College where he recorded 152 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 21.0 sacks and 7 forced fumbles, Branch signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2003.
"Robert is a very athletic lineman who is not well known but is one of those diamonds in the rough," said Harding. "His prospects will be determined by how quick he can adjust to the indoor game but I feel he has the right attitude to compete and be a part of this team."
King (6-5, 270) spent time on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad before being allocated to NFL Europe where he was selected as the first overall pick by the Rhein Fire in 2006. He finished his college career at Connecticut starting in 37 of 39 games and recording 165.0 tackles (103.0 solo tackles), 19.0 sacks for 107 yards, 37.5 stops for losses and 51 quarterback hurries. He also added two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six pass deflections.
Jemison (6-1, 245) spent time on the New York Giants practice squad in 2005. He was then picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers and drafted by the NFL Europe's Hamburg Sea Devils during the 2006 offseason. Jemison finished his first season with NFL Europe ranking seventh overall in rushing with 368 yards.
For a complete Dragons roster, check out http://www.newyorkdragons.com/team/roster.asp
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 13, 2006
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