Linemen, 'backers plenty in AFL "grab bag"
September 6, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Drive News Release
Take a little âslim,' add a little ânone' and you get a concoction that doesn't sound very promising. However, the more the merrier when it comes to choosing the best.
Those analogies are what comes from the fact a total of 68 lineman are available in the Arena Football League's âfree-agent grab bag' which began last week. The offensive-defensive linemen, along with the fullback-linebackers are part of the some 200 players obtainable for the 2006 season.
Coaches and player personnel directors were allowed to contact these free agents last week and will be able to begin signing the members of the group on October 1.
When it comes to the linemen, the group has 31 that are 30 years of age or older and seven of those are 35 or more. It's a mixed bag, but there are some outstanding linemen on the list.
Because centers are a high commodity in the AFL, TIM MARTIN (6-5, 273) of the New Orleans VooDoo tops the list. The 29-year-old former Tulsa player is considered a âfranchise player' with a salary approaching six figures.
What makes Martin so valuable, besides being able to handle the ball, is his defense. At nose guard over the past six years he has 51 solo tackles, 13 quarterback sacks and five pass breakups.
E.J. BURT (6-2, 265) also ranks as the kind of commodity other teams seek. The West Liberty State (W. VA) lineman, who has been with the Orlando Predators the last three seasons, is only 27 and appears to be on his way to an outstanding AFL career.
Burt will no doubt command more than the little more than average AFL salary he now has because of 21 sacks in three seasons. He also has 64 unassisted tackles, 11 pass breakups, 12 forced fumbles and two blocks.
Because there are three linemen on the field at one time in Arena Ball, coaches have to know how to shuffle their linemen during the 15-minute quarters to maximize the players' strengths and hide their weakness. Playing both ways is a lot like most played when they were in high school, but this is the professional world of specialization and the thinking, at least for half a quarter, has to be on both sides of the ball.
"If you get a player who realizes he is stronger on one side of the ball then the other, he still has to be better than average on the side he is most vulnerable," said a coach who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "It's a real specialty to play both ways, especially in the trenches, and takes an extraordinary individual."
The most linemen from one team is eight. The Arizona Rattlers list that amount and all are 30 years of age or older. They range from the oldest, MARK TUCKER (6-3, 295) to VINCE AMEY (6-3, 300) who is 30.
The Rattlers' list is topped by veteran WENDALL GAINES (6-5, 290), who has spent his entire six-year career in Phoenix. Gaines has 82 total tackles, 61 on the solo side, 9.5 sacks and 18 pass breakups. The former Oklahoma State standout has NFL and NFL Europe experience. He's sought after by a number of teams.
Besides Gaines, another former Oklahoma State player and Arizona teammate, KELVIN INGRAM (6-5, 285) is available.
Louisiana State and Ohio State have three former players each on the list. The former Tigers are FURNELL HANKTON (Los Angeles), LOUIS WILLIAMS (New Orleans) and MIKE SUTTON (Tampa Bay) and the Buckeyes have JUAN PORTER (Georgia), ERIC GOHLSTIN (Philadelphia) and WINFIELD GARNETT (Philadelphia), a former San Jose SaberCat, listed.
Another long-time veteran, ERNEST ALLEN (6-4, 300), who will begin his 10th AFL season in 2006, is 32, but still provides outstanding play. He has 138 solo tackles and has been with the Dallas Desperados the past two seasons.
Grand Rapids has seven linemen as âfrees', San Jose six and Philadelphia five. The SaberCats include JASON ANDERSEN (6-6, 310, BYU), SEBASTIAN BARRIE (6-3, 265, Liberty), center FRANK BEEDE (6-4, 300, Panhandle), KEVIN JORDAN (6-5, 305, Fresno State), CEDRIC PITTMAN (6-3, 275, Nevada) and TONY PLANTIN (6-4, 295, Clemson).
Tampa Bay's NYLE WIREN is another lineman who could help some team. He has been with the Storm his entire career. Making a little less than the league average may move this former Kansas State star from the grasp of head coach Tim Marcum. Wiren has 78 solo tackles, 20 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.
When it comes to the fullback/linebackers, there are 28 on hand. Topping that list are Chicago's JAMIE MCGOURTY (6-2, 250, Springfield Mass. College), DUKE PETTIJOHN (6-2, 245, Syracuse), RODNEY FILER (6-3, 245, Iowa) and MATT KINSINGER (6-2, 260, Slippery Rock).
Pettijohn, 28, out of Syracuse, has had four excellent seasons, the last two with the Dallas Desperados. Filer has been in the league seven seasons, the last with Las Vegas, and Kinsinger has been a favorite in San Jose because of his âblue collar' work ethic which has given him five seasons, the last four with San Jose.
Coaches look for balance both on the offense and defensive side, but the keys are two fold: 1) The fullback must be able to block on offense. He usually takes the rush linebacker or has the end in slide protection. 2) Scoring in the âred zone' is imperative. When you get at the five-yard line in the AFL, your best weapon is most likely a tough-nosed, pounding fullback who can bust the middle of the defensive line.
To possess both the offense and defense talents, the player also has to be intelligent to read the other side of the ball, handle the ball and show some leadership in connecting with the quarterback. Former SaberCat BOB MCMILLEN (6-2, 255) who will begin his 12th AFL season (4th with Chicago) in 2006 knows good and well what it takes. He's been on championship teams with Arizona and San Jose.
There are many more to be mentioned, but a small sampling gives you an idea of who is out there.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 6, 2005
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- Linemen, 'backers plenty in AFL "grab bag" - Detroit Drive
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