Sports stats



Rampage Add Quarterback, Linebacker And Wide Receiver

October 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - The Grand Rapids Rampage have added three players to their roster, signing quarterback Mark Radlinski (Grand Rapids, Mich.), linebacker L.J. Parker (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and wide receiver Jermaine Lewis (Waukegan, Ill.). All three have West Michigan ties, as Radlinski and Parker attended Grand Rapids high schools (Catholic Central High School and Ottawa Hills High School) while Lewis played three years at Western Michigan University.

Last season, the Rampage placed Radlinski on their practice squad for five weeks before releasing him so that he could gain Arena Football experience with the Tulsa Talons of arenafootball2. There, the 6-2, 225 pound quarterback completed 301 passes for 3,525 yards and 74 touchdowns, helping to lead the team to an 11-5 regular season record and a playoff berth.

"Experience is everything in this game," said Radlinski. "Getting live snaps is so important. I was able to go down to Tulsa and gain experience there, and that really helped me in getting ready to play for the Rampage."

Radlinski played quarterback at Catholic Central High School where he set school records for passing yards (1,705) and touchdowns (20) and was named an Associated Press all-state first team selection. He went on to set more records at Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) University of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, throwing for 7,075 yards and 71 touchdowns from 2001-04. Radlinski was named the Cardinals' most valuable player in 2003 and 2004 and the GLIAC Player of the Year in 2003.

Parker excelled last season with the Great Lakes Indoor Football League's Battle Creek (Mich.) Crunch. The linebacker led the Crunch in tackles with 47, tied for the team lead in pass breakups with nine and added three sacks in 10 games. Parker shined at the GLIFL All-Star Game, posting an interception, a recovered fumble and a defensive touchdown.

"L.J. has been on our radar for some time, but he needed some indoor experience," said Sparky McEwen, Rampage head coach and director of football operations. "With the new rule changes, his skill at linebacker makes him a viable option, though he also has value at wide receiver or fullback if we have an emergency situation."

The 6-2, 230 pound Grand Rapids native played his high school football at Ottawa Hills High School before attending Indiana University and serving as a wide receiver for the Hoosiers for two seasons (2000-01).

Lewis spent the last two seasons with the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats. Last year, the 6-3, 210 pound wide receiver/linebacker made 16 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns, while posting 17.5 tackles, one sack and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.

"Jermaine is part of our continued effort to give our red zone game a boost," said McEwen. "Last year in Nashville he got great experience behind (AFL veteran wide receivers/linebackers) Darryl Hammond and Cory Fleming, and we're looking for him to have a breakout season this year."

Before joining the Kats, Lewis spent time with several NFL teams including the Detroit Lions, who signed him as a free agent before the 2003 season. He also played on the practice squad of the San Fransisco 49ers and the Tennessee Titans and participated in the Houston Texans' 2004 training camp before being released.

Lewis made a name for himself at Western Michigan on offense and defense from 2000-02. A two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection at safety (2000 and 2001), he was moved to wide receiver for his senior season, where he led the Broncos in receiving yards (654) and yards per reception (17.2). Lewis' speed is also exemplified in his successful career as a sprinter with Western Michigan's track and field team.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 11, 2006


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.

Other Recent Grand Rapids Rampage Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central