Georgia Force Signs Nine from NFL to AFL
Published on November 13, 2003 under 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 signing of nine free agents who are experienced veterans of the National Football League. The Force has reached contract agreements with the following players:
Wide Receiver/ Linebacker- Lavell Boyd
Offensive/ Defensive Lineman- Shannon Clavelle
Offensive/ Defensive Lineman- Shane Grice
Offensive/ Defensive Lineman- Reggie Grimes
Offensive Specialist- Detronn Harris
Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back- Eric Joyce
Fullback/ Linebacker- Tavarreus Pounds
Quarterback- Kevin Thompson
Offensive/ Defensive Lineman- Gillis Wilson
"Being able to bring in individuals with the talent to play at the NFL level, can only help us and this league grow," explained Head Coach Marty Lowe. "These are the caliber of players that we will need to be competitive now and in the future. If these players can adjust to our game quickly, it will be an asset to the depth of our team.
BOYD (6-3, 218, Louisville) comes to the Force after going to training camp with the Houston Texans in 2003. Boyd is no stranger to the AFL having entered the 2003 Arena Football season as a member of the Detroit Fury. In 2000, he was signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and was on the team's practice squad for 12 weeks before being activated and playing in two games. Over the next two seasons, Boyd went to training camp with the Miami Dolphins in 2001 and Minnesota Vikings in 2002.
CLAVELLE (6-3, 290, Colorado) is a former sixth round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in 1995. He spent three seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 1995-97 and captured a championship ring in Super Bowl XXXI. Clavelle has also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders.
GRICE (6-2, 307, Mississippi) enters the ranks of Arena Football after recently attending training camp with the Chicago Bears and starting at offensive guard for the Barcelona Dragons for 2003 NFL Europe season. Grice split much of his rookie season in 2001 between the Chicago and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squads before finishing the year on the Bucs active roster and going to training camp with the team in 2002. As a senior at Ole Miss, helped the Rebels offensive line allow the fewest sacks in SEC and tied for the third fewest in the nation with seven.
GRIMES (6-4, 305, Alabama) attended training camp with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 and played for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe this past season. He appeared in eight games for the New England Patriots in 2000 at both defensive end and on special teams, and participated in training camp with the Chicago Bears in 2002. A four-year letterman at the University of Alabama from 1996-1999, he finished his career with 74 tackles, seven pass defenses, one interception and nine sacks. Grimes help lead the Tide to the Southeastern Conference championship as a senior and he returned his only interception 38 yards for a touchdown vs. Florida in the 1999 SEC Championship Game.
HARRIS (6-2, 192, West Georgia) went to training camp with the Tennessee Titans in 2003. A two-year starter at West Georgia, he led the team in receptions with 63, receiving yards with 954 and tied for the lead with five touchdown catches. He started his colligate career at Holmes Community College where he ranked first in nation as a kick returner and won all-region honors. Harris is from Atlanta and attended Westlake High School.
JOYCE (5-10, 200, Tennessee State) was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, but finished his rookie season on the Chicago Bears active roster. Joyce made his NFL debut as a nickel back and on special teams vs. the New York Jets on December 15, 2002. As a senior at Tennessee State in 2001, was an All-Ohio Valley Conference second-team selection and finished his career with the Tigers recording 108 tackles (89 solos) with four interceptions and 30 pass deflections in 38 games.
POUNDS (6-0, 236, Auburn) returns home to the state of Georgia where he was a Class 2-A All-State selection at Villa Rica High School. Pounds professional football background includes being a member of the 2002 Carolina Panthers. An all-out headhunter on the football field, he was the emotional leader of the Auburn Tigers' defense after coming back strong from 2000 shoulder surgery to finish his career with 210 tackles (115 solos), five sacks for minus 27 yards, 11 stops for losses of 36 yards and ten pass deflections.
THOMPSON (6-5, 236, Penn State) comes to the AFL as a two-year veteran of the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Minnesota Vikings. He made his NFL debut in Jacksonville on December 3, 2000. At Penn State, Thompson's 131.8 pass efficiency rating as a senior was fifth in the Big Ten and 30th in the nation. He was the first quarterback in school history with three 70-yard pass plays in a career, all of which occurred in 1999.
WILSON (6-2, 282, Southern-LA) was a previous fifth round selection in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. In 2001, Wilson appeared in five games splitting his time between the Panthers and the New York Giants. He played the 2002 NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals. Wilson's cousin is New York Giants wide receiver Ike Hilliard and he is the nephew of former New Orleans Saints running back Dalton Hilliard.
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.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 13, 2003
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