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Rampage Sign Avery, Anes and Coleman

October 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage made a splash in the free agent market on the first day of signings by announcing that 2004 Rampage Ironman of the Year and arguably one of the best fullback/linebackers in the game Chris Avery agreed to a two-year contract to stay with the Rampage. Grand Rapids also signed former Grand Valley State quarterback and 2002 Harlon Hill winner Curt Anes along with former Ferris State receiver Clarence Coleman, the all-time receiver in Division II history.

Avery (6'00" 254 lbs Kentucky State) enters 2005 as the team's second all-time leading rusher needing just 13 yards to for first place. He holds the top two single-season team rushing yardage marks (193 in 2004; 166 in 2003) and five of the top ten single-game rushing yardage marks, including the top two. Avery was named to the AFL's All-Ironman team in 2003 after finishing fifth in the league in rushing.

Anes (6'02" 210 lbs Grand Valley State) has been with the Detroit Lions for the past two seasons and was allocated to NFL Europe earlier this season with the Scottish Claymores. With the Claymores, he completed 58-of-98 passes for 631 yards with two TDs. He was named the 2002Harlon Hill Award winner as Division II most outstanding player. That season with the 2002 national champion Grand Valley State Lakers, he tossed 3,692 yards with 47 TDs. Finished as GVSU's career passing leader and Division II's all-time leader in combined passing/rushing touchdowns (132) and second in total offense (12,189) and passing TDs (111). In 2001, he finished second in the Harlon Hill despite having the most first place votes. That season, he completed 201-of-288 passes for 3,273 yards with 49 TDs to just three interceptions. His 221.63 passing efficiency was the best ever in Division II history and third overall in college football history.

Coleman (5'10" 195 lbs Ferris State) played with the Buffalo Bills in 2003 and grabbed eight catches for 69 yards in 14 games. He finished as NCAA Division II's all-time leading receiver with 323 catches for 4,983 yards at Ferris State. With the Bulldogs, he was a two-time All-American and All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First-Team pick and Ferris State Most Valuable Player. He led the nation in all-purpose yards (2,618), while ranking third nationally in receiving yards, tied for fourth in receptions and sixth in punt returns. For the 2001 campaign, Coleman registered 572 yards on 36 punt returns and had 29 kickoff returns for 661 yards. Coleman, the 2001 GLIAC Co-Offensive Back of the Year, also had 84 receptions for 1,346 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 14.3 yards per catch in 11 contests.

Tomorrow and Sunday, the Rampage will be holding player tryouts at the Soccer Spot in Kentwood. On Saturday, quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs will be worked out and on Sunday, lineman, fullback/linebackers and kickers will work out. Cost is $60 with registration starting at 7am and the tryouts beginning at 9am both days.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 1, 2004


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