Former Rio Grande Valley Star Eddie Moten Named Top Defensive Back Of All-Time
Published on March 10, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO - The arenafootball2 league (af2) announced today that DB EDDIE MOTEN has been named the league's top defensive back of all-time, as selected by a group of af2 head coaches past and present, members of the media and fans throughout the country. Moten, a three-time All-League performer at the Arena Football League level, provided a glimpse into his future AFL success by being a stellar defender for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados in his lone season of af2 play (2004).
"Eddie is another in the long line of success stories in the history of our league," said af2 President Jerry Kurz. "He spent one season in the af2, learned the game, excelled at the game and then moved up to the AFL. Eddie is a great defensive back whose overall toughness and skill made him one of the game's finest players."
TOP 10 af2 DEFENSIVE BACKS OF ALL-TIME
1. Eddie Moten
2. Kahlil Carter
3. Kelly Snell
4. Matt Forbes
5. Mike Brown
6. Arkee Thompson
7. Alex Wallace
8. Rob Keefe
9. Levy Brown
10. Dennison Robinson / William "Roc" Haith
Eddie Moten at a glance
Moten only spent one season in the af2 before moving up to the AFL, but he made sure his time was well spent. In just 11 games played in 2004, Moten was a difference maker on defense for the Rio Grande Valley Dorados. The former Texas A&M Kingsville standout tied for the league lead in interceptions with 10 and also tied for fourth overall in passes defended with 28. He also accumulated 47.5 total tackles, 18 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. His defensive performance was rewarded by both his team and the league. In addition to earning a spot on the 2004 National Conference All-af2 First Team, he was named Rio Grande Valley's Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He was also recognized as the league's Defensive Player of the Week twice - the only player to win a weekly accolade more than once that season. In 2005, Moten joined the AFL's Philadelphia Soul, where he led the team in both tackles and pass breakups as a rookie. In his second year, Moten was named Defensive Player of the Game six times, tallied 104 tackles and a league-high 13 interceptions en route to earning a spot on the All-Arena First Team. It was the first of three consecutive All-Arena selections for Moten. In his four-year AFL career (2005-2008 - all with the Soul), he recorded 31 interceptions (7 INT return TDs), 81 pass breakups and 359 total tackles.
Remaining af2 Top 10 Announcements
Wednesday, March 11
Top 10 wide receivers release
Thursday, March 12
Top 10 quarterbacks release
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- Former Rio Grande Valley Star Eddie Moten Named Top Defensive Back Of All-Time - af2
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