More UFL to NFL Signings

Published on December 15, 2010 under United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


JACKSONVILLE, FL - Wednesday, December 15 - Six more standouts of the 2010 United Football League season have signed with NFL clubs; four of them to the active rosters of the Bengals, Browns and Bills.

Florida Tuskers cornerback KEIWAN RATLIFF signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday, and was added to the active roster. Ratliff was the Tuskers' nickel back throughout the 2010 season, and set a new league record with two interception returns for a touchdown in one season. Ratliff had two picks for 87 yards and two scores during the regular season, and had an interception in the UFL Championship Game.

Ratliff played in all eight games for Florida, including making five starts. He finished third on the team in tackles (33), while tied for third in the league with a pair of interceptions.

He became the first player in Florida Tuskers history to return an interception for touchdown, when he picked off Omaha's Jeff Garcia and returned it 29 yards for a score in a Week 8 win. Two weeks later in a rematch with Omaha, he returned a fourth quarter interception 58 yards for another score to clinch a 27-10 win. Ratliff added a third interception and three tackles in Florida's 23-20 loss to Las Vegas in the UFL Championship Game.

Ratliff is no stranger to the NFL. The former University of Florida standout played six seasons in the NFL, splitting time between the Cincinnati Bengals (2004-07), Tampa Bay Bucs (2007), Indianapolis Colts (2007-08) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2009). He recorded 145 total tackles with 14 pass defenses and five interceptions. He was also credited with a pair of forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries and returned 88 punts for 629 yards (7.1 average).

On Tuesday, Las Vegas Locomotives cornerback COYE FRANCIES was promoted from the Cleveland Browns practice squad to the active roster. Francies joined the Browns practice squad on December 1 having been with the Locos since September 26 after Las Vegas lost safety Nick Turnbull to a season-ending injury in the opener against the Florida Tuskers.

He played in eight regular-season games with the Locos recording at least one tackle in every game he played. He totaled 13 takedowns and knocked down six passes. His biggest game came in Week 8, when he picked off Sacramento Mountain Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper twice. Francies broke up two passes in the Locos' 23-20 victory over the Tuskers in the second UFL Championship game at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. Saturday, November 27.

Francies entered the NFL in 2009 as a sixth-round draft pick for the Browns. He played in six games with Cleveland, defending one pass and recording two total tackles.

Also on Tuesday, Hartford Colonials guard COLIN BROWN signed to the active roster of the Buffalo Bills off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. He joined the Ravens on November 23 after spending the entire 2010 UFL season with the Colonials, mostly as a backup. He started Hartford's final game at right guard.

Brown came to Hartford after being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs after 2010 training camp. He was a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2009, but missed his entire rookie season due to injury. He was a fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 after a collegiate career at Missouri.

The Bills also signed Omaha Nighthawks tackle ERIK PEARS, who was a late-season addition to the UFL team's roster, signing on November 11 for the final two games of the campaign. He started the final game of the season at right tackle.

Pears played in 44 NFL games (30 starts) from 2006 to 2009. He played for the Denver Broncos (2006-08) and Oakland Raiders (2009), and also was an all-league choice for NFL Europe's Cologne Centurions in 2006 since originally entering pro football as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos in 2005.

Omaha Nighthawks wide receiver ROY HALL signed with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday, and was added to the practice squad. Hall spent the entire 2010 UFL season with the Nighthawks, finishing third on the team with 16 catches to go with 160 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Prior to 2010, Hall played in seven NFL games with the Indianapolis Colts, catching a pass and making four tackles over two seasons. A fifth-round pick of the Colts in 2007, Hall also spent time with the New Orleans Saints this year.

On Tuesday, Hartford Colonials linebacker SIMONI LAWRENCE was added to the Chicago Bears practice squad. Lawrence, who started Hartford's final seven games at right outside linebacker, was the Colonials' leading tackler this fall (48 total tackles).

Lawrence was a fifth-round pick of the Colonials in the 2010 UFL draft and returned to Hartford in time for the start of the UFL season after spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles from June to August of 2010.

"The UFL taught me how to be a professional because of the way Coach Chris Palmer ran the program," Lawrence said. "The UFL was good competition, especially going against players like Lorenzo Booker in practice."

Lawrence led the UFL with 35 unassisted tackles and his 48 total tackles were tied for second in the league. He also had one tackle that was not registered on the stat sheet.

During the October 30 game at Sacramento, Lawrence was in pursuit of Mountain Lions running back John David Washington, the son of Oscar winning actor Denzel Washington. As Washington crossed the goal line, Lawrence unintentionally knocked down John David Washington's mother, Pauletta, as she was cheering along the end zone sideline. The video clip was shown on "The Late Show with David Letterman" with Denzel Washington as a guest.

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United Football League Stories from December 15, 2010


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