Florida Firecats Trade For Defensive Back McCoy
May 20, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL- The arenafootball2 (af2) Florida Firecats announced today that they have completed a trade with the Milwaukee Iron for defensive back James McCoy. McCoy played in 12 games for the Firecats in 2008 finishing third on the team with 52 tackles and three interceptions. Florida sent lineman Riley Salinger, who played in their first two games this season, to Milwaukee to complete the trade.
"McCoy is a veteran guy who knows our system," said Firecats Coach Kevin Bouis. "He's experienced enough that he can play all three positions in the backfield. He should provide us with some stability back there."
A three-year af2 veteran, McCoy appeared in four games for the Iron this season and is currently ranked fourth on the team with 15 tackles. He was in camp with the Firecats in 2007 on before being traded to the Lubbock Renegades. He finished that season with 44.5 tackles, 3rd best for the Renegades. He also had team high 3 interceptions. In 2006, he led the South Georgia Wildcats with 96.5 tackles and led the team with 4 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions. McCoy will be inactive for this weekends game in Kentucky but is expected to be available for the May 30th game against Manchester.
The Firecats have been hit hard with injuries this season, especially in the defensive secondary. Rookie Jerrid Gains has been placed on injured reserve with an ACL injury. Bryant Tisdale missed two games earlier this season due to injury and was hit by a four-wheeler driven by the Arkansas Twisters mascot prior to kickoff two weeks ago in his first game back.
"We knew were we going to be young in the secondary with rookies Gains and (Demetrius) Hodges and a second year player in Tisdale," Bouis added. "So to have our guys miss a significant amount of time has made it even that mush more difficult on us."
Receiver/defensive back Brent Burnside has been forced into action this season on the defensive side of the ball to help solidify the secondary due to injuries. Last week the Firecats activated defensive back Arnold "Kris" Thomas for their game against Spokane. Thomas had spent the last two seasons with the Firecats.
The Firecats travel to Lexington this weekend to play the Kentucky Horsemen on Saturday May 23rd. Kick off is scheduled for 7pm. Fans can listen to game on Fox Sports 1200/1460am. Florida defeated Kentucky 68-62 at home this season in week 5. The Firecats return home to host the Manchester Wolves Saturday May 30th. Fans can call the Firecats box office at 239-390-CATS (2287) to reserve seats or visit the team online at www.FloridaFirecats.com.
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