Manchester Wolves Add Two New Offensive Starters to Team For Friday's Game
April 23, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
Manchester, NH-- The Manchester Wolves (2-1) have bolstered their starting line-up on offense with the addition of lineman Carlos Joseph and wide receiver Jason Messing and both players will see action on Friday night when the Wolves host the Tri-Cities Fever (0-4) in an arenafootball2 league contest.
Joseph (6-6, 330 lbs.), a seventh round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers in 2004, and Messing (6-0, 195 lbs.), who played in college for North Alabama, were assigned to the Wolves by the league office and in accordance with team policy, terms of the deals with both rookies were not released.
While Messing is a rookie in the truest sense of the term, Joseph may be an af2 newcomer but he is no stranger to the game of arena football. Joseph, a product of the University of Miami Hurricanes nationally renowned football program, played for the Arena Football League Las Vegas Gladiators and started seven games. Not coincidentally, the former Gladiators head coach is current Manchester Head Coach Danton Barto.
"Getting Carlos is huge for us," said Barto. "I think they're going to be able to help us out. We're excited about them."
The addition of Messing, who adds some size at the wide receiver position, comes at an opportune time as two of the Wolves receivers who have started this season are nicked with ankle injuries. The status of both Emery Sammons and Deyon Williams is day-to-day and it will not be known until game time whether either or both will be able to see action. Joseph will replace Rory Thomas at the guard spot on the offensive line.
Messing, the all-time leading receiver at North Alabama who played in the 2008 Cactus Bowl, began the season with the defending ArenaCup Champion Tennessee Valley Vipers and stayed with the team for one game but didn't arrive in Manchester until now.
The Wolves look to extend their two-game winning streak on Friday night against the winless Fever in the first meeting between these two af2 franchises. Kick-off is slated for 7:30 PM on The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Manchester is lead by second-year quarterback James Pinkney who is having a solid season with 66 of 99 completions for 791 yards with 13 passing touchdowns and three interceptions. But despite the Fever's 0-4 record, their defense has played extremely well and is ranked as the second best overall defense in the af2 so the Wolves will have to continue to outplay and outscore their opposition.
Not only will this be the first meeting between these two teams, but Fever rookie quarterback Jimmy Collins will be getting his first start. He came on in relief last week during a 50-point loss to South Georgia and completed 14 of 26 passes for 156 yards and scored three touchdowns but he also gave up three interceptions and fumbled four times. He'll have to contend with a dominating Wolves defense in a hostile environment.
The Fever currently are in last place in the National Conference West Division while the Wolves are only one game behind the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in the American Conference East Division and next week travel to Pennsylvania to take on their arch rivals in the second of four meeting this season.
Tickets for tomorrow night's game, partial season ticket packages, specially priced youth and senior tickets, and fundraiser and group sales tickets are available. Call 603-627-9653 (WOLF) or click on tickets@manchesterwolves.com.
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