Kats 2007 Training Camp In/Outs and News/Notes
February 9, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
Stoerner to Shelley
In 2005, Clint Stoerner was named to the AFL All-Rookie Team after shattering league rookie passing records in attempts (506), completions (322), passing yards (3,918) and touchdowns (77). Ironically, Kats WR Jason Shelley was on the receiving end of Stoerner's passes, shattering records of his own. In 2005, Shelley led the Desperados in receptions (100), receiving yards (1,267) and a career-high 28 receiving touchdowns: leading the team in each category for the second consecutive season. The two have an evident chemistry that has led to many big plays during the Kats' training camp practices.
Southeastern Conference Connection
In the heart of SEC country, with two schools in the mid-state and several others neighboring in close proximity, the Nashville Kats have been the beneficiary: having six players on the roster that starred for SEC football programs. Vanderbilt (Dominique Morris). Arkansas (Clint Stoerner, Tony Bua), Alabama (Reggie Myles, Waine Bacon), Florida (O.J.Small).
Veteran Kats
When the New Nashville Kats came back to Nashville in 2005 after being sold to after the 2001 season, Head Coach understood that a core nucleus of players would be key to success on the field. Eight players currently on the Kats roster, have been with the team since the Kats first year back in 2005:
§ DL James Baron
§ DL Joe Minucci
§ DB Monty Montgomery
§ DL Aaron McConnell
§ OL Charlie Morris
§ OL Rupert Grant
§ OL Carey Clayton
§ FB Dan Alexander
Teammates it is
If football enthusiasts are right and football is the ultimate team sport, some Kats players have found comfort in playing with collegiate teammates they have played with before and now together being on Kats training camp roster.
DB Eric Joyce (98-01), OL Lawrence Smith (97-01) and Carlos Wright (2000-03) all played together while at Tennessee State University. Joyce and Smith won back-to back OVC titles in 1998 and 1999. DB Reggie Myles (98-01) and DB Waine Bacon (99-02) both starred together at the football powerhouse Alabama. The pair played together for three years at Alabama and their longstanding friendship last well outside the lines of the football field. LB Brenden Givan (99-02) and DB Otheese Wells (2000-04) both attended Stillman College, a historical black liberal arts university located in Tuscaloosa, AL. In 2006, the pair also starred for the Lakeland Thunderbolts of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA). FB Dan Alexander (97-00) and DL Demoine Adams (98-02) both spent time at the Big XII powerhouse, Nebraska...The 1999 season was especially pleasing with the Cornhuskers going 12-1 with a Big 12 Championship and defeating the University of Tennessee 31-21 in the 1999-2000 BCS Fiesta Bowl. DL Anthony Herron (97-00) and DL Howard Hodges (99-03) both were teammates at the Big Ten Conference University of Iowa. Herron was named honorable mention All-Big Ten as a senior, after totaling 64 stops, five for a loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. During Hodges' tenure, The Hawkeyes finished in the top 10 in the Associated Press Poll twice (2002 and 2003).
Former Tennessee Titans
When the original Kats franchise was sold and moved to Atlanta, Head Coach Pat Sperduto worked (still does) as a scout for the Titans. It's no secret that Sperduto has taken advantage of the local talent that the Titans have had. Eight players on the Kats 2007 training camp roster have played for, been invitees to training camp or been over for evaluations with the Titans before becoming a Kat.
§ K Jason Witczak
§ WR Alonzo Nix
§ DB Keon Raymond
§ FB Dan Alexander
§ DL Tim Thompson
§ WR O.J. Small
§ DL Aaron McConnell
§ DL Joe Minucci
Are you NFL Experienced?
The AFL has always had players, since its inception, that have played in the NFL. But with the recent change of the substitution rules that take place this season, the AFL has been the beneficiaries of an influx of NFL players that want to play in the AFL. The Kats have 10 players on their training camp roster that have either played in the NFL or have been drafted by an NFL team:
Dan Alexander-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft... Active for the last seven games of the '01 season after spending the first nine weeks on the practice squad. Played primarily on special teams, contributing two tackles and forcing a fumble... Signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002, playing in three games... Spent his last season in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams in 2003, playing in one contest.
Waine Bacon-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of 2003 draft...signed with to the practice squad of the Tampa bay Buccaneers (9/4/03) and signed with the Indianapolis Colts 12/10/03 of whom he would stay with until being released during training camp before the 2006 season. Played in 11 games in 2004 season with the Colts.
Tony Bua-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, seeing action in seven games...Also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals of whom he was a member of in 2006.
Delmonico "Monty" Montgomery-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Appeared in five games for the New Orleans Saints in 2004, seeing action primarily on special teams, recording one solo tackle and eight special teams tackles (four solo)... Spent the 2001 season on injured reserve list with the Philadelphia Eagles... Appeared in 15 games in 2000, including nine starts at cornerback and free safety, for San Francisco. Played three games with the Colts in 1999 before being waived... Claimed off waivers by the 49ers on 10/4/99. Played in four games and made two starts with San Francisco before breaking his right arm... Played in 16 games and started three for the Colts in 1998. A fourth round draft choice of the Colts in 1997, appeared in 16 games and starting final three at cornerback.
Reggie Miles
PRO EXPERIENCE: Originally was drafted and signed with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals (4/23/02) and played with team until 2006 where he was released during a round of training camp cuts. Has played in 41 career games with 0 starts....all with the Bengals.
Lawrence Smith-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Joined the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie free agent in 2002 and was with the club for two seasons...Signed by the Buffalo Bills 1/28/04 and spent two seasons with the organization... Played in all 16 games in 2004 and started eight of those games. Was with the Amsterdam Admirals in 2003.
Clint Stoerner-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Spent three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys after being signed as a rookie free agent in 2000... In 2001, he was signed to the practice squad before signing to the active roster on Sept. 8. He saw time in four games, completing three-of-five passes for 53 yards and a score, before returning to the practice squad Oct. 10. ... Became one of four Dallas quarterbacks to earn a starting assignment in 2001, directing the team to a victory in his first start against Arizona (10/28).
Jeff Smoker-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Drafted in the sixth round of the 2004 draft (201 overall) by the St. Louis Rams. Did not see action in any regular season games for the Rams.
Eric Joyce-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Played the 2002 season with the Chicago Bears after being signed as an undrafted free agent... Played in two games with Chicago during the 2002 season after spending majority of the year on the practice squad... Had one assisted tackle against Tampa Bay (12/29)... Attended training camp with the Bears in 2003, but released before the regular season... In training camp with the Arizona Cardinals in 2004 and with the Washington Redskins in 2005.
James Killian-
PRO EXPERIENCE: Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 7th round (229 overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft...Also played in NFL Europe with the Hamburg Sea Devils.
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