Firebirds Assigned Five More Players

January 21, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release


ALBANY, NY - The Albany Firebirds announced today that Norman Bauer (OL/DL), Jose Harris (FB/LB), Mike Wall (WR/DB), Lawrence Wade (DB) and Ashley Mclaughlin (WR/LB) have all been assigned to the Firebirds by the af2 for the 2009 season, bringing their announced roster total to eight players.

"These five are guys I like for their versatility," said Firebirds Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Tony Bowick. "They can all play multiple positions and they will fit well in the scheme that I'm trying to create here in Albany."

Norman Bauer, 24, enters his second season in Albany and in the af2. In 12 games for the Conquest last year, the Inverness, FL native totaled eight rushing attempts for 43 yards and a rushing touchdown and nine receptions for 87 yards. Bauer (6'2", 300 lbs.) played four years of Division III football at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware and was a 3-time ECAC All-Conference Selection as an offensive lineman.

Jose Harris, 29, played three seasons with the Conquest from 2005-2007. In 13 games in 2007, the Medford, MA product tied for fourth on the team in sacks (3.5), ranked third in tackles for loss (5.5) and recorded two forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered. Harris (6'4", 250 lbs.) played for Syracuse University in 2001 and for Bryant College in 2003.

Mike Wall, 23, made his af2 debut with the Conquest during Albany's final game of the 2008 regular season against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and caught two passes for 26 yards and had one rushing attempt for three yards. The Syracuse, NY played four years at flanker for the University at Albany Great Danes (2004-2007). During his senior season, Wall (5'8", 185 lbs.) led the Great Danes with three TD catches and 18 kickoff returns for 378 yards.

Lawrence Wade, 28, enters his third year in the af2 after splitting the last two seasons between the Ft. Wayne Fusion and the South Georgia Wildcats. The Washington, DC native appeared in four games at defensive back during the 2008 campaign with South Georgia, recording 9.5 tackles, 1 pass break-up and 1 forced fumble. Wade (6'0", 198 lbs) played college football for the Temple Owls; in his senior campaign he recorded 34.5 tackles and one sack.

Ashley Mclaughlin, 24, began his college career at the University of Rhode Island and transferred to Toledo. The wide receiver/linebacker (6'1", 245 lbs) started last season in camp with af2's Rio Grande Valley, but sat out the year due to personal reasons.

The Albany Firebirds will begin their 2009 regular season schedule on March 27th at Mahoning Valley, while their first home game is set for April 10th against the Florida Firecats at the Times Union Center. Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.



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