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Janek returns, more top AFL talent added to Destroyers

October 5, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Destroyers have re-signed offensive/defensive lineman Chris Janek and signed free agents wide receiver/defensive back David Saunders, wide receiver/defensive backs Sir Mawn Wilson and Jerarld Brown club president David Paitson announced today. The team also signed arenafootball2 standouts, offensive/defensive lineman Howard Duncan and defensive specialist Rickie Davis.

Janek (6-4, 295, Wisconsin) returns for his second season with the Destoryers after a solid 2005 season. Janek started all 16 games and recorded 16.5 tackles (13UT-7AT), a tackle for a loss, one sack and a pass breakup. He will enter his sixth season in 2006 after getting his start with the Milwaukee Mustangs in 2001.

Throughout his career, Janek has played for five teams and has recorded 41 tackles (32UT-18AT), three tackles for a loss, one sack, one pass breakup, four quarterback hurries, a blocked kick and two fumble recoveries. He was a four-year letter winner at Wisconsin and was named to the all-academic team in 1997.

Saunders (6-3, 210, West Virginia) joins the Destroyers as a six-year veteran of the Arena Football League. In his career, he has caught 291 passes for 3,491 yards and 79 touchdowns to go along with a rushing touchdown. He has been a force on the defensive side as well. He has recorded 98.5 tackles (76UT-45AT), a tackle for a loss, six pass breakups, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble.

Saunders' career started after a stellar four years at West Virginia. He is the career leader in pass receptions (191) and receiving yards (2,608). He also is the single-season leader in receiving yards (1,043 in 1996), and is tied for first in receptions in a season (77 in 1998). He was named to the all-Big East team and was the MVP of the 1997 Gator Bowl.

Wilson (6-2, 230, Syracuse) is familiar with the Destroyers organization as he spent the 2003 season with the Buffalo version of the team. Like Saunders, Wilson has been around the league the past few years. His career began in 1997 and he has six years of experience under his belt. He has caught 128 passes for 1,402 yards and 16 touchdowns, while adding 108 tackles (80UT-56AT), 3.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, 16 pass breakups, two QB hurries, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

Wilson also has experience in the outdoor game as he was a part of the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl XXXII championship team in 1997. He went to training camp with the New England Patriots in 1999, but suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out eight months. In 1997 and 1998, he attended camp with the Denver Broncos prior to joining the Patriots practice squad. He also was in camp with the Miami Dolphins.

Brown (5-11, 185, Glenville State) is slowly making a name for himself in the AFL. His career began in 2004 with the New York Dragons and he spent the 2005 season with the Arizona Rattlers. His career totals include 15 pass receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he has recorded 23.5 tackles (22UT-3AT), one tackle for a loss, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries.

Joining the Destroyers from the af2's Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz are Davis (6-0, 190, New Mexico) and Duncan (6-4, 300, Oklahoma). Last season, Davis led the Yard Dawgz in tackles with 64.5 (61UT-7AT), which ranked among the league leaders. He added a tackle for a loss, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

Last season with the first season of Arena Football experience for Duncan, who was named to the all-Big-12 Third Team at Oklahoma, where he helped the Sooners win a National Championship in 2000. He caught onto the game of Arena Football quickly and had 16 tackles (13UT-6AT), an assisted tackle for a loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, three QB hurries, and a fumble recovery in 2005 with the Yard Dawgz.

The Destroyers finished the 2005 season fourth in the AFL in attendance, averaging 15,229 fans per game in eight home contests at Nationwide Arena. In addition, the Destroyers became one of only two teams in the league to draw over 250,000 fans combined during the past two years (Philadelphia). For further information on the Destroyers, visit www.ColumbusDestroyers.com or call (614) 246-HITS.

The Arena Football League enters its 20th season with 18 teams competing for the coveted James F. Foster Cup awarded to the champion of ArenaBowl XX. Be sure to watch the AFL on NBC every Sunday beginning in January.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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