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Rampage Sign All-AFL Second Team OL Keys, Four Others

November 2, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - After upgrading their secondary and receiving corps with the acquisitions of Ahmad Hawkins (Hampton, Va.) and Anthony Hines (West Palm Beach, Fla.), the Grand Rapids Rampage helped shore up their offensive line with the signing of Marcus Keys (Taylorsville, Miss.). The seven-year Arena Football League veteran earned All-AFL Second Team honors last season with the Georgia Force.

Keys excelled last season in Georgia, helping Force quarterbacks compile a league-best 132.1 passer rating, 74.0 completion percentage and 119 passing touchdowns. With plenty of time in the pocket, Force quarterback Chris Greisen earned a spot on the All-AFL First Team and threw for a league record 117 touchdowns in just his first season as an AFL starter. Steve Thonn, Rampage head coach and director of player personnel, relied on Keys throughout 2007 while serving as Georgia's offensive coordinator.

"Marcus in an Arena Football veteran who always brings a professional and hard-working attitude to every practice and game," said Thonn. "He's a solid offensive lineman who can play the 'lockdown' role."

The 6-3, 280-pound Keys spent five seasons (2003-07) in Georgia, ranking second in franchise history with 66 games played for the Force. He also spent the 2002 season with the now defunct Carolina Cobras and his 2001 rookie campaign with the now defunct Florida Bobcats. A seventh-round draft pick (233rd overall) of the NFL's Chicago Bears in 1996, Keys won two NCAA Division II national championships at the University of North Alabama.

Also signing with the Rampage were AFL veterans James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) and Juan Porter (Cleveland, Ohio) and arenafootball2 products Brandon Eaton (Houston, Texas) and John Mohring (Naples, Fla.).

MacPherson, a 6-0, 195-pound quarterback out of Wake Forest University, served as the Force's backup quarterback as a rookie last season. After briefly spending time as a third-string quarterback for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts in 2003, he played one year (2006) with the af2's Green Bay Blizzard before arriving in the AFL.

A natural offensive lineman, Porter boasts seven successful seasons in the AFL with the Cobras (2001-02), the Force (2003-05) and the Columbus Destroyers (2006-07). The 6-3, 310-pound two-time all-Big Ten selection from The Ohio State University missed most of last season with a shoulder injury.

Eaton played his first Arena Football season last year for the af2's Mahoning Valley Thunder, appearing in 15 games at the center and tight end positions. The 6-2, 310-pound University of Hawaii product earned a spot on the All-Western Athletic Conference First Team as a senior in 2005.

Mohring, a 6-0, 225-pound linebacker, played in the last three regular-season games for the af2's Alabama Steeldogs in 2007, logging seven tackles and a forced fumble. A star at Georgia Southern University, he earned NCAA Division I-AA All-America Team honors in both his junior and senior seasons (2005-06) with the Eagles.

Additionally, the Rampage waived wide receiver Scotty Anderson, offensive lineman Eric England and center A.J. Ricker. Grand Rapids also released defensive back Cliff Green.

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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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