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Rampage Sign Top AFL DB Jonathan Ordway

November 2, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS - Over the last two seasons, only five players in the Arena Football League have recorded more tackles than former Tampa Bay defensive specialist Jonathan Ordway (Seffner, Fla.). In 2007, Ordway will play defensive back for the Grand Rapids Rampage during the team's 10th Anniversary Season.

One of the fastest players in the game, Ordway will help cover high-motion wide receivers as opponents try to crack a Rampage secondary that allowed the fewest passing yards per game of any AFL team last season.

"Jonathan was the number one defensive back on our board this offseason," said Sparky McEwen, head coach and director of football operations for the Rampage. "His is the toughest position to play in the AFL, and he does a great job of it."

"I'm looking forward to being a part of the group that is going to turn the Rampage around," said Ordway. "It means a lot to me to be in a place where I can make a greater impact in improving a team."

Ordway led Tampa Bay last season with 78.5 tackles, which ranked 14th overall in the league. He also exhibited his speed and AFL experience on special teams, returning 26 kicks for 438 yards.

"We are excited about the knowledge that Jonathan brings with him," said McEwen of the four-year AFL veteran. "We're putting together one of the most athletic secondaries in the history of the Rampage, and Ordway was the missing piece of the puzzle."

Ordway's best season came with the Storm in 2005 when he ranked eighth in the AFL and third all-time in Tampa Bay history with 87.5 tackles. He also had career highs in interceptions with six and pass breakups with 29, and set a team single-game record with 14.5 tackles against New Orleans on April 30.

Ordway began his AFL career in 2003 on Tampa Bay's practice squad, and eventually worked his way up to serving as one of the team's starting defensive specialists in 2004. This year will mark his first with an AFL team other than the Storm.

"I was impressed with the organization from the top on down," said Ordway. "The fact that Grand Rapids is such a closely-knit community really convinced me this was where I wanted to be."

Ordway experienced success prior to his days in the AFL as well. The 5-11, 180-pound Boston College product showcased his football abilities and raw speed with the Eagles from 1997-2000. There he registered 154 tackles in 29 games played on the gridiron, and was an all-Big East and all-New England track and field selection.

In 2001, Ordway signed with the NFL's Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent, but was placed on the team's injured reserve list prior to training camp. The following year he attended mini-camp with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

In an effort to improve his game and gain exposure, Ordway spent 2003 and 2004 playing football at every possible opportunity, suiting up with the AFL's Storm in the spring and traveling north to play with the Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League in the summer and fall. He focused his attention exclusively on the AFL following his breakout season with the Storm in 2005.

With Ordway's signing, the Rampage have now filled 32 spots on their 37-man active roster that will participate in the team's training camp early next year.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 2, 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.

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