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Fire Set to Open Camp

March 12, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Louisville Fire News Release


The Louisville Fire Arena Football team opens training camp Tuesday in preparation for the 2007 season. Training camp will feature several veterans returning to the Fire and an influx of new talent from many schools in Kentucky and across the country. The arenafootball2 league has also adopted new rules that no longer require players to play both offense and defense.

Key veterans returning to the Fire are former Louisville Cardinal Tony Stallings, former Shawnee product Demetrius Forney. Also making their returns are Lawrence Matthews, wide receiver/linebacker, and former back-up quarterback Joel Steele, who looks to be the early favorite to start at the QB position for the Fire. Another af2 veteran joining the Fire is defensive specialist Matt Forbes who has 27 career interceptions, tied for the af2 all-time lead with former Fire DS Arkee Thompson.

Fire head coach Tommy Johnson is excited for another season, "This is a great time of year. I love getting back after it and seeing the guys fight for a roster spot. I think the wide receiver position is going to be the most fun to watch during camp with players like Tony Stallings and Tiger Jones from U of L."

Joining Jones and Stallings at the receiver position will be rookies Johnell Brown and Quorey Payne. Payne was offered a contract by Coach Johnson following the Fire's last open try-out in February. They will all be battling for a spot on one of the leagues most potent offenses, averaging nearly 60 points a game the last two seasons.

New to the af2 in 2007 is the ability to only have players play one way. This will allow for the players to focus more on one position.

"I don't think this will effect our coaching style, if anything it will allow the skill guys more time to focus on just offense of defense," said coach Johnson.

The Fire will practice at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday and at 5:00 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week, followed by two practices on Saturday. All practices will take place at Cardinal Stadium at the Fairgrounds.

2007 Training Camp Roster:

Name Position Height Weight College Exp. Acquired

Anthony Jones WR 5'11 195 Louisville R AtLOU 3/6/07

Brent Maddox OL/DL 6'2 300 Iona R AtLOU 3/6/07

Dave Hendrix K 5'10 190 Grand Valley St. 1 AtLou 3/12/07

Demetrius Forney FB/LB 5'11 285 Campbellsville 5 AtLOU 1/22/07

Dwayne Lockridge OL/DL 6'2 300 Anderson R AtLOU 12/4/06

Eli Walker OL/DL 6'6 250 Toledo R AtLou 3/12/07

Gordon Miles WR/DB 5'7 170 Kentucky St R AtLOU 1/26/07

Jason Ferguson OL/DL 6'4 270 Emporia St 2 AtLOU 2/2/07

Jason Jones OL/DL 6'4 340 Idaho R AtLOU 1/22/07

Jasonus Tillery WR 6'1 195 Kean R AtLOU 11/16/06

Jerome Jones WR/LB 6'2 235 Eastern Kentucky R AtLOU 11/28/06

Joe Washington OL/DL 6'3 340 Western Kentucky R AtLOU 11/15/06

Joel Steele QB 6'0 210 Anderson 2 AtLOU 1/19/07

Johnell Brown WR/DB 5'10 194 N/A R AtLOU 2/20/07

Lawrence Matthews WR/LB 6'4 190 Western Illinois 3 AtLOU 1/22/07

Lonell Dewalt WR 6'6 230 North Alabama R AtLou 3/12/07

Marcus Wright WR/DB 5'9 170 Kentucky St R AtLou 3/12/07

Matt Forbes DS 5'10 180 William Penn 4 AtLOU 1/22/07

Nick Roberts WR/DB 6'1 206 Gardner-Webb University R AtLOU 1/19/07

Quorey Payne WR/DB 5'9 182 Southern Illinois R AtLou 3/12/07

Rusty Midlam WR/DB 5'11 180 Ohio Northern R AtLou 3/12/07

Steven Golden DB 5'10 193 Toledo R AtLOU 2/27/07

Takashi Walker WR/DB 6'0 185 Lindenwood (Intl-Jamaica) R INTLtsLOU 1/25/07

Timothy Long OL/DL 6'5 360 Lane 2 AtLOU 2/6/07

Tony Stallings WR/DB 5'11 200 Louisville 3 AtLOU 1/22/07

Wallace House FB/LB 6'0 290 Fordham R AtLOU 3/5/07

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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