Firebirds\' WR/LB Brown placed on IR, McPherson activated
February 20, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS â The Indiana Firebirds announced yesterday only two roster moves heading into their week three showdown with the Detroit Fury. The team has placed WR/LB, and seven-year AFL veteran, Kerry Brown on the Injured Reserve list with a broken thumb. Taking his place on the Firebirds' 23-man roster this week will be rookie QB Adrian McPherson.
McPherson will serve as the number two quarterback, behind starter Tony Zimmerman, when Indiana kicks off Monday night at the Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit, MI. McPherson signed with the Firebirds just before training camp opened in January and was placed on the IR list to begin the season. Last week head coach Steve DeBerg brought in and signed free agent QB Johnny Turman, giving them three active quarterbacks for this week. Kevin Daft won the starting job in camp, but was injured in the first game of the season and will be out indefinitely.
Brown will be out for four to six weeks, following the broken thumb sustained during the Firebirds 41-40 last second loss to the New Orleans VooDoo. Brown caught the first pass that Zimmerman completed in the game, but paid the price by coming down wrong and suffering a broken thumb. Brown finished the game with one reception for 23 yards. Through two games, he caught four passes for 54 yards and recorded two tackles on defense.
Zimmerman is making his second career AFL start, while McPherson will be dressing in uniform for the first time since playing for Florida State during the 2002 college football season. DeBerg brought three quarterbacks into training camp and stated it was an "open competition" from day one. The injury to Daft caused Zimmerman to be thrown into the fire in week one. Now the young rookie from Florida will get his first shot at playing in a professional football game.
Fans can listen to the game LIVE on ESPN 950 AM, 95.5 FM WIJY, or via the internet broadcast by visiting www.espn950.com. The broadcast, featuring Rob Blackman (play-by-play) and Barry Krauss (color commentary), begins at 7:00 PM with the pre-game show, followed by the game in its entirety, and concluding with the post-game wrap-up from The Palace.
Firebirds' season tickets/mini-plan packages for the 2004 season 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.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 20, 2004
- Solomon, Storm to face Wranglers on NBC - AFL I
- Monday night football - Detroit Fury
- Firebirds ready for some Monday night footbal in Motown - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- AFL on NBC two-game season average up 19 percent - AFL I
- Must-see matchups: week three - AFL I
- Wranglers Will Call open today for pick up - Austin Wranglers
- Quick hitters: week three - AFL I
- Firebirds' WR/LB Brown placed on IR, McPherson activated - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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.
