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MacPherson, Magner Among Five to Re-Sign with Rampage

August 11, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - The bulk of Grand Rapids' lineup that made a run to the 2008 American Conference Championship will return next season, as the Rampage inked five of their key free agents before the end of the Arena Football League's re-signing period yesterday.

Among those re-signing were quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) and receiver Cole Magner (Palmer, Alaska). In just his first year as an AFL starting quarterback, MacPherson put up record-breaking numbers with the Rampage, helping Grand Rapids tally 80 points or more four times, the most by any team in league single-season history. The Rampage also set a team scoring record last year, accumulating 952 total points or an average of 59.5 points per game. During the regular season, MacPherson was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week twice (Week 4 and Week 15) and Offensive Player of the Month once (June), and his 119.3 passer rating ranked sixth among all AFL quarterbacks.

Magner emerged as a top receiver for Grand Rapids midway through 2008 after spending the beginning of the year on the team's injured reserve list. He led the team in its final seven games with 60 catches and finished the regular season with 69 receptions for 739 yards and 12 scores. Magner especially stood out during the playoffs, as his 32 receptions were second only to teammate Kenny Higgins' (Long Beach, Calif.) 38 among all AFL postseason receivers. The Bowling Green State University product also set a Rampage playoff record with 15 catches in Grand Rapids' Divisional Round upset of the top-seeded Chicago Rush.

In addition, the Rampage re-signed three key members of their defense, including defensive lineman/linebacker Michael McFadden (Saginaw, Mich.) and defensive linemen George Gause (Conway, S.C.) and Tom Johnson (Moss Point, Miss.). McFadden was named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team after leading Grand Rapids with four sacks and five tackles for loss in just nine regular-season games. Gause joined the Rampage in the second half of 2008 and made his presence felt during the playoffs, recording a sack and a fumble recovery in Grand Rapids' run to the conference championship. Johnson also proved an important late-season addition, leading all Rampage linemen with 7.5 tackles and a forced fumble during the playoffs.

Additionally, Grand Rapids waived fullback Alan Krutulis (Stewartsville, N.J.) and defensive lineman DeVonte Peterson (Clinton, N.C.), bringing its current active roster to 21 players. The AFL's free agent signing period and 2009 schedule will be announced later this fall.



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