Dragons sign af2 Defensive Player of the Year
November 7, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
The New York Dragons signed four key additions in af2 Defensive Player of the Year DB Levy Brown, QB Ryan Vena, DL Jason Hardee and DB Ronnie Amadi.
Brown, (5-11, 200), had a record-breaking 2007 season with the af2 Florida Firecats where he recorded 132.5 total tackles and 14 interceptions. He was named the 2007 af2 Defensive Player of the Year. In his two seasons with the Firecats, he combined for 199 total tackles and 22 interceptions. Before entering the af2, Brown spent three years playing college ball at Florida A&M. He finished his career there with 18 interceptions for 162 yards, along with 216 total tackles.
"We are very excited for the addition of Levy Brown. We feel he is a very physical and smart defensive back. He and Billy Parker will make a great pairing together," said head coach Weylan Harding.
Vena, (6-0, 225), brings two years of AFL experience to the Dragons after spending the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Columbus Destroyers. In his 2004 rookie season for the Destroyers, he recorded 57 touchdowns in 14 games played and became their all-time leading rusher with 229 yards on the ground. In his AFL career, Vena has completed 326 passes on 524 attempts for 4,142 yards and 73 touchdowns despite 19 interceptions. He also added 82 rushes for 275 yards and 16 touchdowns. Prior to the AFL, Vena was a member of the af2 Albany Conquest as their 2003 starting quarterback. Vena attended College at Colgate were he was a three-time Patriot League Player of the Year and became their all time leader in total offense with 9,435 yards.
"This is an awesome opportunity to be signed by the dragons and to be close to home being that my family is from New Jersey," said Vena. "It will be great to have them come see me play a lot of games and be back on the east coast."
Hardee, (6-3, 290), will enter the 2008 season for the Dragons as a rookie in the AFL. He played two seasons for the Green Bay Blizzard of the af2 and is the club's all-time leader in sacks with 10. In 2007, Hardee had a big season with 8 sacks, 21.5 tackles, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 8 quarterback hits. Hardee was part of the 2006 Blizzard team that went to the af2 ArenaCup Championship game. He began his college career at San Mateo College on California before transferring to the University of West Virginia where he was an All-American for the Mountaineers.
Amadi, (5-11, 185), also signs after spending time with the Green Bay Blizzard of the af2. In 2007, Amadi led the af2 in passes defended with 36, including eight interceptions. He was also selected as Second Team All-af2. Prior to his af2 experience, Amadi played at the University of Kansas, appearing in 48 games between 2002 and 2005.
In other news, the Dragons have released WR/DB Will Holder, OL Alonzo Ephraim and DL Cletidus Hunt.
Season Tickets are now on sale! Call 1-866-AF-TIXX for the best possible seats. You can also email us at ticketinfo@newyorkdragons.com.
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