Georgia Force Re-Signs Three Key Free Agents
October 31, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
ATLANTA, GA. â The Georgia Force, of the Arena Football League, announced today the re-signing of three key free agents from last year's team. The Force has reached contracts with the following players:
Offensive Specialist Markeith Cooper
Defensive Specialist Kevin Gaines
Defensive Specialist Willie Gary
"It was important for us to re-sign individuals that we felt added to those players we have acquired through free agency this offseason and those currently on the roster," said Head Coach Marty Lowe. "These three players were an important part of our team's foundation last season and they will again be looked upon to continue the standard of play that has been set here.
COOPER (5-6, 160, Auburn) will enter his third season with the Force after earning a roster spot with the team from the club's open player tryouts in 2002. Listed as 5'6", Cooper is the shortest player in the Arena Football League. He finished the 2003 season with 28 receptions for 358 yards and five touchdowns. Cooper also added 18 kickoff returns for 284 yards and one score and two missed field goal returns for 29 yards. In the Force's Quarterfinal Round playoff game at San Jose last season, he racked up 153 yards on five kickoff returns including a 56-yard touchdown return. His efforts helped Georgia establish a new AFL playoff record for kickoff return yards in a game with 312 yards.
GAINES (6-1, 205, Louisville) re-signs with the Force as the leader of the AFL's top ranked defense in 2003. A six-year AFL veteran, he led the Force in tackles with 52.5 and led the team in pass break-ups with 10 and interceptions with nine. Gaines' nine picks placed him tied for third in the AFL, while he was 11th in the league in passes defended and 30th in tackles. Following the season, he was named the team's Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
GARY (5-10, 195, Kentucky) hails from Valdosta, Georgia and will be entering his second season in Arena Football in 2004. Last year, he appeared in 10 games and registered 42 tackles and three pass break-ups. Gary also led the Force in tackles for three games.
The Georgia Force will open their third season of play in the AFL when they kickoff the 2004 season on Sunday, February 8th against the New York Dragons in the Arena at Gwinnett Center. The league continues to grow in its 18th season, recently adding New Orleans, Philadelphia and Austin to the 16 teams that competed last season. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its 2nd season on NBC in 2004. Georgia Force season tickets are on sale now and can be reserved with most major credit cards by calling (770) 813-7610 or visit: www.georgiaforce.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 31, 2003
- AFL Teams Pursue Free Agents - AFL I
- Georgia Force Re-Signs Three Key Free Agents - Georgia Force
- Detroit Fury Sign Trio of BIG-10 Players - Detroit Fury
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