Firebirds Select NFL Vet, Lose Two in Expansion Draft
Published on October 22, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- The Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League announced today that they selected DS Delphfine Lee and FB/LB Julian Duncan in the 2002 Dispersal Draft. The draft was held this afternoon via telephone conference call.
Fourteen players were selected in the draft from the available roster of former Toronto Phantom players, who will not be competing in the 2003 season.
Lee, who spent the past two seasons with the Phantoms, totaled 96.5 tackles and four interceptions as the team's defensive specialist. Lee came to the AFL after spending the 1999 season with the NFL's New York Jets. Lee spent the majority of the season on the Jets' practice squad, however was activated for the final four games of the season and recorded one solo tackle against the Miami Dolphins. A graduate of McNeese State University, Lee set a school record with ten interceptions in a single season during his senior season.
Duncan spent the past two seasons in NFL Europe and was acquired by the Phantoms in last year's Dispersal Draft from the Houston Thunderbears.
"I am really excited about the possibilities of both players", said Head Coach Mike Dailey. "Lee is a good player and was an instrumental part of Toronto defense the past two seasons. Though Duncan doesn't have much Arena Football experience, we are looking forward to seeing what he has to offer."
The Firebirds also announced that WR/DB Dwayne Stukes and DS Cornelius Coe were selected in this year's Expansion Draft. The draft allowed the Colorado Crush, an expansion team owned by former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, to choose players off the rosters of any current team who were designated as "unprotected."
The Crush traded the 16th overall pick in the draft to the New Jersey Gladiators for rights to OL/DL Chris Janek. In turn, the Gladiators selected Firebirds' DS Cornelius Coe. Coe, a 2001 AFL All-Rookie Team member, is the AFL's all-time single season leader with 121.5 tackles. He totaled 149 tackles and tallied six interceptions in his two-year stint with the Firebirds.
Stukes was selected by the Crush with the fifth overall pick. The Firebirds signed Stukes prior to last season and was placed on the team's exempt list when he opted to play in NFL Europe for the 2002 season.
The Firebirds have lost a combined 12 players in the past four expansion drafts.
The 2003 season marks the historical debut of the AFL on NBC. The network will broadcast 71 games next season, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. Firebirds' season tickets for the 2003 season, which begins in February, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling a Firebirds' ticket representative at 317.472.8080. Firebirds merchandise is also available at Home Court Gift Shop. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
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