Hartford Colonials Announce Protected Player List

April 6, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Hartford Colonials News Release


EAST HARTFORD, CT - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - The Hartford Colonials of the United Football League have announced the team's protected player list for the 2011 season.

Former University of Connecticut star running back ANDRE DIXON and NFL veteran quarterback JOSH McCOWN are among 34 players on the list, which allows the Colonials to retain their UFL rights. The group includes former UConn linebacker DANNY LANSANAH and center KEITH GRAY along with fullback ASAPH SCHWAPP, a Hartford native who played at Notre Dame.

"This is the initial step toward building the 2011 roster. The next step will be to take a closer look at these players and identifying which ones best fit into our system," said Colonials first-year head coach and general manager JERRY GLANVILLE. "Bottom line, each player has to improve from last year because that's the best way for the team to improve."

The protected player list can be found at: www.ufl-football.com/hartford-colonials/player-roster.

McCown had the highest passer rating among UFL quarterbacks who made at least 100 passing attempts. His 10 touchdown passes were tied for the league lead.

Lansanah, a defensive captain at UConn, thrilled Colonials fans by returning an interception 48 yards for a touchdown in the season-ending 27-14 win over the eventual-UFL champion Las Vegas. He is one of six linebackers on Hartford's protect list while Gray is one of six offensive linemen.

Dixon, who rushed 241 yards last season, is joined in the backfield by running back Tory Harrison and Jason Davis along with Schwapp at fullback.

"Looking at the NFL lockout and all that, it's just great to have an opportunity in this profession right now," said Dixon, a first-round pick by the Colonials last year. "With the labor situation going on in the NFL, the UFL might be the only game on TV for a while until they sort it out."

Defensive backs TRA BATTLE, MANNY COLLINS, RYAN PALMER and KYLE WHITEHURST are also on the protected player list. Palmer led the team with two interceptions and Collins had a team-leading six defended passes.

Battle is one of seven players on the list that played since the team's inception in 2009 as the New York Sentinels. The others: tight ends RONNIE GHENT and CHARLES DAVIS, linebacker JOE MORTENSEN, defensive linemen MICHALE SPICER and JONAS SEAWRIGHT, and long snapper JARED RETKOFSKY. Spicer's three sacks tied for the team lead last season.

Glanville, an NFL head coach for nine seasons with the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons, is in the process of finalizing his coaching staff.

The Colonials went 3-5 last year under Chris Palmer and finished its first season in Hartford on a high note, defeating eventual UFL champion Las Vegas. Hartford averaged 14,366 in four games at Rentschler Field. The team also partnered with organizations such as the United Way, Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the Boys & Girls clubs.

The UFL begins its third season in August as the Colonials will play an eight-game schedule against teams from Las Vegas, Omaha, Sacrament and expansion Virginia. Fans can register for tickets for the 2011 Colonials season at www.HartfordColonials.com.



United Football League Stories from April 6, 2011


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