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Rampage Sign Four to Practice Squad

January 28, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League announced today the signing of quarterback Jeff Welsh, lineman Teto Simpson, and wide receiver/defensive backs Corey Bridges and Titcus Pettigrew (pronounced TEA-cus) to the team's four-man practice squad.

Welsh (6-3, 212, Western Michigan) enters his first AFL season after playing seven games last season in arenafootball2 with the Columbus (Ga.) Wardogs. Thanks to a new rule this season, the former Western Michigan standout will be listed as a practice squad player, but will suit up for home and away games. The emergency quarterback rule also states that Welsh, 23, will only become active in a game if the two quarterbacks ahead of him are deemed unplayable.

Simpson (6-5, 285, North Carolina) joined the team near the end of training camp, but impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a spot on the practice squad. After stints with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and NFL Europe's Barcelona Dragons, the former Tarheel played in nine games last season with the Cape Fear (N.C.) Wildcats of af2. While at North Carolina, Simpson, 26, played on the same defensive line with Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers), Vonnie Holliday (Green Bay Packers) and Ryan Sims (Kansas City Chiefs).

Bridges (5-6, 174, South Carolina) returns for his second stint with the Rampage. The former Gamecock sat out most of last season with a knee injury, which was suffered in training camp. He did return to action for GR's final two regular season games, but recorded no statistics.

Pettigrew (6-1, 221, Penn State) makes the jump to the AFL after winning an ArenaCup championship in his first season in af2 with the Peoria (Ill.) Pirates. In 13 regular season games last season, the former Nittany Lion recorded 28 catches for 287 yards and five touchdowns on offense, and 40 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Pettigrew, who was the 1995 North Carolina Gatorade High School Player-of-the-Year, played and lettered four years under Joe Paterno at Penn State (1996-2000).

The Rampage kick off the 2003 season on the road this Saturday against the Buffalo Destroyers. The game, which begins at 7 p.m., can be heard live on WBBL 1340 AM.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 28, 2003


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