Gordon Returns at QB, along with Newcomer and Former Hawkeye Standout Barr
Published on January 26, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â The Quad City Steamwheelers announced today that they have been re-assigned quarterback Ronnie Gordon, along with new signees, former Iowa Hawkeyes standout fullback/linebacker Fred Barr and offensive/defensive lineman Jason Weite from Southern Illinois University âCarbondale by the arenafootball2 (af2) league office.
Gordon, 6'2" 215 lbs., returns to the Steamwheelers for a second season.
Last season he was the back up to af2 Offensive Player of the Year Tony Zimmerman. Zimmerman has since moved on to the Arena Football League (AFL) and is currently in camp with the Indiana Firebirds.
Last season with the Steamwheelers, Gordon had the af2's highest QB Rating with a 133.3 rating. He completed 8-of-12 passes, four for touchdowns and no interceptions. He passed for 145 yards and rushed six times for 21 yards and a touchdown.
The Vanderbilt product has been named the number one quarterback entering camp by Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold.
"He is an experienced quarterback and knows our system in and out," Ingold said. "He is hungry for the opportunity and I have been very pleased with his progress that he has made from the start of last season to now."
Ingold did not have to go far to get Barr. A short trip down Interstate 80 to the University of Iowa was all the farther he had to go. The 2002 graduate had an outstanding four-year career for the Hawkeyes.
In 2002 he helped guide the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten championship and Orange Bowl berth. The Hawkeyes defensive unit ranked fifth that season in the nation in rushing defense, as they only gave up 81.9 yards a contest. Barr was named First team all-Big Ten and was the team defensive co-Most Valuable Player.
In his four-year career, Barr accounted for 376 tackles (217 solo), 24 for losses of 60 yards. He added four sacks for losses of 17 yards, an interception returned 14 yards, 12 pass breakups, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The 376 career tackles ranks fourth all-time in Hawkeyes history.
"With the loss of (2003 Steamwheelers defensive specialist) Asa Francis to NFL Europe, Barr is the type of guy that could fill Asa's shoes," Ingold said. "He had a tremendous career at an outstanding University of Iowa program."
In 1999, his freshman year, he was one of two true freshmen who saw action on the field and was named to the third team Freshman All-American list by the Sporting News. In 2001 he was also named honorable mention all-Big Ten by league coaches and media.
Weite was a two-year letter winner at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. In his junior season as a member of the defensive line, he recorded nine tackles (eight solo) and two sacks for losses of 13 yards.
In his senior season, Weite moved to the offensive line, which is a major factor for players playing Arena Football. Almost all linemen in the AFL and af2 must go both ways, therefore benefiting Weite as he has experience on both sides of the ball.
Weite also has some indoor football experience, albeit through a half season with the semi-pro National Indoor Football League's (NIFL) Show Me Believers, in St. Charles, Mo.
"He has a great body and is a very good pass rusher," Ingold said. "He is a guy that has fire and is the type of player we are looking for."
The arenafootball2 league is in its Fifth Anniversary season and serves as the AFL's AAA developmental league. The arenafootball2 (af2) league consists of 26 teams in small- to medium-sized markets with the purpose of training players, coaches and officials for higher levels of football. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past three years.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their Fifth Anniversary season as well, as they are one of the charter members of the league. Season tickets are currently on sale starting as low as $54. Fans looking to purchase season tickets may contact Steamwheelers Director of Ticket Sales Brian Forth at 563-324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX.
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