Quarterback Competition Heightens With Wolves' First Trade
April 3, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Manchester Wolves News Release
The Manchester Wolves, New Hampshire's professional arenafootball2 team, announced today that they have conducted their first trade of the 2007 season by acquiring the rights to quarterback Ryan Porter from the Cincinnati Jungle Kats in exchange for five-year af2 veteran lineman Abdul-Aziz Shabazz Wiggins.
Porter (6'4, 212), will join the Wolves with one-year of af2 experience under his belt with stops at Bakersfield, Rio Grande and Central Valley during the 2006 season. The Highland, California native threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for another in a total of eight games between the teams. Prior to the af2, Porter made three stops during his college career, starting at San Bernardino Valley College where he threw 15 touchdowns and passed for 1,251 yards in just five games before transferring to the University of Washington where he participated on their 2001 Rose Bowl team and then a final stop at Missouri State.
"You're always trying to upgrade at every position and right now his experience will be an asset to our organization," said Manchester Wolves Head Coach Ben Bennett. "Right now 'Z' (Brian Zbydniewski) is our starter but we'll see what Ryan has to offer once he arrives, if his skills merit a look then he'll get his shot."
Wiggins (6'1, 350), spent the last three seasons playing in Manchester for the Wolves where he appeared in 30 games and amassed 28.5 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, 16 quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. The Portsmouth, Virginia native played two seasons with the now defunct Norfolk Nighthawks (2002-2003), before joining the Wolves, where he collected 32.0 total tackles, five sacks, five quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, four forced fumbles, four blocked kicks and two safeties in 22 games.
The Wolves (0-1) lost their season opener after a dramatic comeback attempt fell short 50-36, last Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre Scranton, Pennsylvania to their East Division rival Pioneers (1-0). Starting Wolves quarterback Brian Zbydniewski started off slow but finished strong as he threw for an af2 Week #1 best 327 yards for four touchdowns and two interceptions. Zbydniewski's main target proved to be wide receiver Ari Confesor who hauled in an af2 Week #1 best 184 yards on just nine catches for all four of the Wolves passing touchdowns.
Manchester enters Week #2 with a bye week before traveling to Green Bay, Wisconsin to face the 2006 East Division Champion Blizzard (0-1) on April 13, at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Don't miss another exciting season of Manchester Wolves football in 2007! For information on season tickets, or merchandise, fans can contact the Wolves at 603.627.WOLF (9653) or visit them on the web at www.manchesterwolves.com.
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