Kats Sign Two af2 Standouts
Published on October 26, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
NASHVILLE (Oct. 26, 2004) â The Nashville Kats have added two more arenafootball2 standouts to their roster, signing All-af2 fullback/linebacker Casey Urlacher and wide receiver/defensive back Milton Bowen, both of the Peoria Pirates.
"These guys are hard-nosed football players who had great seasons playing in af2 last season," said Kats head coach Pat Sperduto. "They know how to win, and will help us win."
Urlacher (6'0, 240) played his rookie year in Peoria, helping to lead the Pirates
to the National Conference championship and a berth in the 2004 Arena Cup. He ran for 253 yards and 15 touchdowns on 84 carries last season, also catching seven passes for 39 yards and a score as a receiver out of the backfield. Defensively, he notched 37 tackles, including 6.5 for loss. He also registered 3.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and blocked a kick. Urlacher played collegiately at Division III Lake Forest College, where he was a consensus All-American as a senior in 2002.
In addition to signing Urlacher, the Kats also signed one of his former Peoria teammates in wide receiver/defensive back Milton Bowen. Bowen (6'2, 205) caught 15 passes for 152 yards and a TD for the Pirates last year, while also making 50.5 tackles, two interceptions and 17 pass breakups on defense. Bowen played college ball at Miami (Ohio).
The additions of Urlacher and Bowen bring the Kats active roster to 36. Teams can carry 37 players into training camp, but must trim the roster down to 24 before the start of the regular season.
The Nashville Kats begin play in the Arena Football League's Central Division in January 2005. The expansion franchise, owned by Tennessee Titans owner K.S. "Bud" Adams, Jr., will keep the name and identity of the previous Nashville Kats arena football franchise, which played in the AFL from 1997-2001. Tickets are available by phone at 615-565-4700, or through Katsonline.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 26, 2004
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- Kats Sign Two af2 Standouts - Nashville Kats
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