NFL, CFL Tap af2 for Talent
Published on August 15, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO â Following in the footsteps of former Arkansas Twister-turned-Dallas Cowboy REGGIE SWINTON, the number of af2 players signing contracts with National Football League and Canadian Football League teams continues to grow. This season, quarterbacks took center stage, as four af2 field generals joined NFL and CFL rosters.
The New Haven Ninjas' PHIL STAMBAUGH and the Roanoke Steam's CHRIS SANDERS signed with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, respectively, while the Chicago Bears inked former Florida Firecats' gunslinger KEN MASTROLE to their training camp roster. Stambaugh threw for 510 yards and seven touchdowns in his time with New Haven. Sanders guided the Steam to a 3-0 record, helping Roanoke open the season 4-2. He completed 46-of-80 passes for 641 yards and 10 touchdowns and did not throw an interception as the Steam rolled off four wins in a row. Mastrole threw for 2,465 yards and 48 touchdowns for the Firecats during the 2001 af2 season.
Signal callers RICKY RAY (Fresno Frenzy) and CABLE DAVIS (Mohegan Wolves) also made the jump to a higher league, landing with Edmonton in the CFL. Ray signed with the Eskimos in May and quickly took over as the Eskimos' new starting quarterback. Ray currently ranks second in the CFL with a 109.2 passer rating through seven games, completing 65.3 percent of his passes for 765 yards and eight scores. In eight games with Fresno, Ray threw for 1,550 yards and 32 touchdowns. Before joining the Eskimos, Davis passed for 2,917 yards and 41 touchdowns in 14 games for Mohegan.
Some of the other af2 players who joined NFL or CFL squads in 2002 include: kickers MARC SAMUELS (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) and BRIAN HOLMES (Birmingham), who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills, respectively; OL/DL RUSSELL NEWMAN (Richmond), who signed with Philadelphia Eagles; OS JONATHAN PITTMAN (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), who signed with Tampa Bay; and OS ANDRE DIXON (New Haven), who signed with Edmonton.
In addition to the players who moved up in 2002, one coach joined the NFL ranks, as Carolina Rhinos' offensive line and special teams coach STEVE SMITH became an offensive line coach for New Orleans Saints in July. The Rhinos averaged 27.1 yards a game running behind Smith's offensive line.
af2 serves as a developmental league for players, coaches and officials with teams in small- to mid-size markets throughout the United States. Following a 16-game regular season featuring an all-time high 34 teams, the 2002 ArenaCup Playoffs began with 16 teams the first weekend of August. Four teams remain. This Saturday, the Cape Fear Wildcats will host the Florida Firecats in the American Conference Championship Game and the Birmingham Steeldogs will host the Peoria Pirates in the National Conference Championship Game, with the winners advancing to ArenaCup 2002 on Friday, August 23. For more information, log on to www.af2.com.
arenafootball2 Stories from August 15, 2002
- Dogs' defense in âGoode' hands - af2
- NFL, CFL Tap af2 for Talent - af2
- âCats vs. âCats, Brother vs. Brother - South Georgia Wildcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
