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Rampage Training Camp to Begin Monday

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


GRAND RAPIDS - Though this Sunday's Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL year, football season is just beginning in West Michigan. The Grand Rapids Rampage will open camp with their first practice on Monday (Feb. 4) as the team begins preparing for the upcoming 2008 Arena Football League season.

"Our coaching staff as a whole is just excited to finally get started out on the field," said new Rampage head coach and director of football operations Steve Thonn. "After a long offseason, we're ready to get a feel for our guys and better gauge where we stand for the upcoming season."

Thonn spent the offseason compiling a new-look roster that includes only five returning members from last year's Rampage squad. Among the newcomers are 2007 All-AFL First Team defensive back Ahmad Hawkins (Hampton, Va.), 2007 AFL All-Rookie Team wide receiver Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.) and 2007 All-AFL Second Team offensive lineman Marcus Keys (Taylorsville, Miss.).

The few returning Rampage players hope to be a part of the Grand Rapids' transition back to the glory days that included an ArenaBowl title in 2001. Fullback Chris Ryan (Lake Charles, La.), a member of that 2001 championship squad, rejoins the team after setting a Rampage record with 20 rushing touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, quarterback Adrian McPherson (Bradenton, Fla.) looks to showcase his athletic talent that landed him the 2004 AFL Rookie of the Year award.

Grand Rapids' 2008 training camp roster also features several AFL rookies, including former NFL players and arenafootball2 stars. Defensive lineman Rahim Abdullah (Jacksonville, Fla.) will make his first foray into Arena Football after playing two seasons (1999-2000) with the NFL's Cleveland Browns and six years (2002-07) in the Canadian Football League. Meanwhile, defensive back Tanner Varner (Ottumwa, Iowa) hopes the skills that landed him 2007 All-National Conference Second Team honors with the af2's Arkansas Twisters will help him vault to the next level.

In securing their 37-man training camp roster, the Rampage signed linebacker Lyndell Hawkins (Tracy, Calif.) and waived defensive lineman Bryan Ray (Wheaton, Md.). Hawkins, a 6-0, 305-pound Fresno State University product, spent the last two seasons with the af2's Stockton Lightning, collecting 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and a safety. He also spent time on the practice squad with the AFL's San Jose SaberCats in 2005 and participated in training camp with the SaberCats in 2006.

Training camp practices will begin this Monday at MVP Sports Spot (located at 3701 32nd St. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512) and continue through Feb. 23, when the 37-man roster will be trimmed to a maximum of 24 active players. In addition to a regular schedule of practices, the Rampage will host the Cleveland Gladiators for a scrimmage on Feb. 12. The scrimmage, which will be open to the public, will take place at Van Andel Arena from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. EST.

The Rampage will kick off the 2008 AFL season on March 10 when they welcome the defending ArenaBowl champion SaberCats to Van Andel Arena. For a full training camp and season schedule, visit RampageFootball.com.

2008 Rampage Training Camp Roster

No. Name Pos. AFL Year College

53 Rahim Abdullah DL R Clemson

44 Terrell Browden FB 2 Southern Mississippi

93 Deon DeBoise DL R Jackson State

19 Ronald Dillon DB R Alabama State

66 Brandon Eaton OL R Hawaii

31 Brenden Givan DL 2 Stillman College

71 Gabriel Gonzalez DL R Akron

97 Greg Green DL R Jacksonville State

2 William Haith DB 3 Liberty

12 Ryan Hart QB R Rutgers

1 Ahmad Hawkins DB 6 Virginia

98 Lyndell Hawkins LB R Fresno State

99 Anthony Herron DL 4 Iowa

6 Kenny Higgins WR 2 Toledo

3 Anthony Hines WR 5 Winston Salem State

8 Chris Johnson WR 5 Georgia Southern

75 Marcus Keys OL 8 North Alabama

4 Jermaine Lewis WR 4 Western Michigan

16 James MacPherson QB 2 Wake Forest

21 Cole Magner WR 2 Bowling Green

7 Chris Martin DB R Washington State

10 DeMarcus Mathes WR R Missouri Southern State

40 Michael McFadden LB 2 Grand Valley State

72 Tyler McMeans OL R Miami

5 Adrian McPherson QB 3 Florida State

20 John Mohring LB R Georgia Southern

92 DeVonte Peterson DL R Catawba College

95 Juan Porter OL 7 Ohio State

9 Alvance Robinson WR R Alabama State

36 Chris Ryan FB 9 Clark Atlanta

18 Michael Shack FB R Arkansas - Pine Bluff

73 Nick Steitz OL R Oregon

78 Tavo Tupola OL R Utah

67 Fitu Tu'ua OL 2 Fresno State

24 Tanner Varner DB R Northern Iowa

90 Zach Ville DL R Missouri

15 Chuck Wesley DB 6 Rhode Island



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


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