Dragons Add Six To Roster
November 21, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The Dragons continue to build their roster as they prepare for the 2008 season, and a familiar face returns in WR Damien Groce. The Dragons have also signed DB Jermaine Hardy, OL Dartangon Shack, DL's Farouk Adelekan and Keyonta Marshall, and FB Victor Mann.
Groce (5-10, 180), returns to the Dragons where he spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Groce spent last season with the Columbus Destroyers and helped lead them to ArenaBowl XXI. Despite missing two games, he led the team with 117 receptions for 1,340 yards, and also in touchdown receptions with 26, setting a franchise single season record. Groce added 16 rushes for 82 yards and three touchdowns. A true ironman of the game, Groce also led Columbus with 40 kickoff returns for 825 yards and two touchdowns. His 31 total touchdowns is also a Destroyers single season record.
In his career, Groce has recorded 422 receptions for 5,153 yards and 100 touchdowns. He also added 27 rushes for 117 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, Groce recorded 41 total tackles and five pass breakups. On kickoff return, he recorded 175 returns for 3,257 yards and six touchdowns.
Hardy (5-10, 213), played cornerback and safety at the University of Virginia. In 2005, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals where he spent time on the practice squad. He later signed with the Carolina Panthers where he played in 3 games recording 2 tackles and a forced fumble before going on season ending injured reserve with a hamstring injury. After being out of football in 2006, he was signed in 2007 by the San Francisco 49ers and was allocated to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe.
Shack (6-1, 290), played for the Central Valley Coyotes of AF2 in 2007 anchoring an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks all year and played a big role in the leading offensive unit in the league. Shack was a big reason why the Coyotes offense notched 125 touchdowns. A former star at Fresno State, he started all 18 games last season. In college, he was on the 2005 All-WAC team as a senior.
Adelekan (6-2, 275), comes to the Dragons after a brilliant season with the Tennessee Valley Vipers of af2 where he recorded 19.5 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles. He started his college career at the College of Dupage before transferring to the University of Houston. At Houston, he recorded 11 sacks and 73 tackles in 17 games for the Cougars. He is a native of Calumet, Illinois.
Marshall (6-1, 330), a three-time All-American at Division II Grand Valley State, led the Lakers to a pair of national championships and three trips to the championship game. As a senior, Marshall racked up 66 tackles to go along with 6 sacks. During his sophomore season, Keyonta recorded 79 tackles and 12 sacks. In his career, Marshall notched 230 tackles, 69 tackles for a loss, and 26 sacks. He was a 7th round draft pick of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 2005. The native of Saginaw, Michigan spent part of the 2006 season with the New York Jets and attended training camp with the Baltimore Ravens in 2007.
Mann (6-2, 275), comes to the Dragons from the Lubbock Renegades of the af2. In 2007, Mann was the 4th leading rusher in the af2 with 293 yards. In 15 games, Mann recorded 73 carries for 293 yards and 12 touchdowns averaging 4 yards per rush. He was also a threat catching the ball with 15 receptions for 228 yards and 6 touchdowns. In college, Mann was a two year starter at Kansas State where he starred as the team's lead blocker.
In other news, the Dragons have released QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq, LB Daniel Garay, FB David Jones, K Carter Warley and OL/DL Paul White.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 21, 2007
- Dragons Add Six To Roster - New York Dragons
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