Long, Grooms and Johnson return to Buffalo
December 23, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Buffalo Destroyers announced today FB/LB Juan Long, OL/DL Terry Grooms and OL/DL Jeremy Johnson have all re-signed with the team.
Long (6-3, 245, Mississippi State) was the Destroyers second leading rusher and set a career high for rushing yards in a season with 61 in 2002. Long was also sixth on the team with 19 tackles. Long, a five year Arena Football League veteran, has spent time in training camps with the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in 1997 and 1998, leading the league in tackles both years. He was part of the Dragons World Bowl Championship team in 1997. He was a member of the XFL champion LA Xtreme in 2001.
Grooms (6-5, 295, Cincinnati) originally signed with the Destroyers on July 15, 2002 after being waived by the Grand Rapids Rampage. He saw action in the season finale at LA and recorded one tackle. Grooms appeared in two games in 2002 for the Rampage. He had two tackles and three quarterback hurries. Grooms also caught two passes for 15 yards. Grooms also played two seasons with the Milwaukee Mustangs (1999-2000). He was second on the team with five sacks in 2000 and sixth on the team with 22 tackles. He led the Mustangs with three sacks in 1999.
Johnson (6-4, 280, Western Michigan) saw a promising rookie season in 2002 cut short by an ACL injury in his third career AFL game against Georgia. He originally was signed to the practice squad but was elevated to the 24-man roster on June 21. In three games, he tallied two tackles, one pass defense and one fumble recovery. Johnson spent 2001 with the Wichita Stealth of af2. He led the team with 11.5 sacks and was fourth in tackles with 24.
"These are three guys from last year's team that our staff identified that can play they style of football we feel is necessary to win in this league," said Destroyers head coach Ron Selesky. "They are all collectively excited to come back and ready to get started.
The Destroyers open training camp on Wednesday, January 8.
Buffalo kicks off its fifth season in the Arena Football League Saturday, February 1, 2003 as the Destroyers host the Grand Rapids Rampage at the HSBC Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now. Call 881-4444!
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 23, 2002
- Tryout Camps Set for March - Portland Forest Dragons
- Long, Grooms and Johnson return to Buffalo - Buffalo Destroyers
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