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Rampage Regular Season Roster Finalized

February 2, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage Arena Football team on Monday morning announced the 24 players that will comprise the roster for their seventh AFL season and the first under Head Coach Bob Cortese.

Fourteen players that didn't play with the Rampage in 2003 highlight the 2004 roster. Most notably are the two quarterbacks Jeff Loots and Robert Hall that are still battling for the starting position. Coach Cortese has "penciled" in Loots, but has hinted to Hall gaining ground. Among the ten returning Rampage veterans are 2003 leading sacker (Israel Raybon - 3.0), leading interceptor (Mark Ricks - 5) and leading rusher (Chris Avery - 166 yards, 8 TDs).

"I don't make a lot of the number of new faces here that weren't here last season, because all of them are new to me," said Cortese.

Over the weekend, the Rampage signed fullback/linebacker Ron Perry and traded defensive specialist Jason Waters to the Los Angeles Avengers for a future consideration.

"With the roster in place, we have to get on the same page. We have to come together as a team and start concentrating on Chicago," commented lineman Israel Raybon. "The key to beating a team as good as the Rush is to get a good pass rush on their quarterback and for us to protect our quarterback."

The Rampage return to the practice field to prepare for the Chicago Rush on Tuesday and will practice until Friday from 10:15am-12:15pm at the Soccer Spot in Kentwood. This Sunday, February 8, the Rampage will take on the Rush at Allstate Arena. Kickoff is slated for 3:00pm EST and will be featured on NBC.

2004 Grand Rapids Rampage Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. DOB AFL Exp. College

1 Nick Gatto K 6.00 185 12/22/77 3 Arkansas State

3 Cecil Doggette DS 5.08 180 11/15/70 10 West Virginia

4 Josh Bush WR/DB 5.09 160 07/23/80 R Western Michigan

5 Thomas Bailey WR/LB 6.00 200 12/06/71 7 Auburn

7 Damon Hodge WR/LB 6.01 202 02/16/77 2 Alabama State

8 Will Sullivan WR/DB 5.11 180 06/06/78 1 Bowling Green

10 Robert Hall QB 6.00 180 12/30/70 7 Texas Tech

11 Jeff Loots QB 6.03 205 05/19/70 10 SW Minnesota State

17 Mark Ricks DS 5.10 175 06/14/72 7 Western Michigan

21 Antonio Watson DS 6.01 195 11/01/70 1 Indiana

23 Travis Burns OS 5.10 190 06/29/79 R Liberty

32 Jermaine Benoit FB/LB 6.03 255 09/11/75 1 Central Florida

34 Chris Avery FB/LB 6.01 260 09/21/75 4 Kentucky State

40 Jason Gamble OL/DL 6.03 285 09/12/75 2 Clemson

42 Ron Perry FB/LB 6.03 245 12/28/70 7 Grambling

55 Paul LaQuerre OL/DL 6.02 290 10/26/77 3 Boston College

84 Steve Smith OS 5.09 174 05/30/74 3 Utah State

90 Terry Grooms OL/DL 6.05 295 09/18/74 5 Cincinnati

91 Teto Simpson OL/DL 6.05 285 07/18/73 1 North Carolina

93 Israel Raybon OL/DL 6.06 327 02/05/74 3 North Alabama

94 Desmon Baker OL/DL 6.05 310 06/09/74 2 Valdosta State

97 Rod Manuel OL/DL 6.06 295 06/29/75 4 Oklahoma

98 Hardy Mitchell OL/DL 6.04 290 10/08/74 6 Buffalo

99 Ramon Luster OL/DL 6.02 302 08/04/73 7 Auburn

Injured Reserve

2 Barry Dillard DS 5.11 185 02/14/73 7 Memphis

80 Carlos Johnson OS 5.11 182 08/20/73 5 Lane College (TX)

COACHES

Head Coach/Director of Football Operations Bob Cortese

Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Rick Frazier

Receivers Coach/Director of Player Personnel Michael Baker

Line Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Steve Fickert

Assistant Coach/Linebackers & Linemen Joe Schuett

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 2, 2004


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.

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