Raptors Sign Four Former NFL Camp Members

Published on March 2, 2006 under United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Rock River Raptors News Release


Rockford Ill. - With training camp 8 days away, Head Coach Rik Richards today announced the signing of four players to his roster. Former San Diego Charger linebacker Ty Myers (Illinois), former Atlanta Falcon Garry Johnson (Arkansas State), and 5th round draft pick and New England Patriot Alge Atkinson (Kansas) have joined the Raptors training camp roster.

"When you sign players that have tasted the NFL experience you hope that they will work their hardest to have a chance to get back to the NFL," Said Richards. Richards went on to say "I hope to get all these young men back into (NFL) camp come August."

Myers is 6-3 and 236 lbs., linebacker who played collegiate football at the University of Illinois. In 2004 Ty Myers signed a two year contract with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent and was invited to the Chargers rookie camp. Even though Myers impressed the coaches at the mini-camp Myers was released.

At Illinois Myers played in 43 career games at linebacker recording 123 tackles. Myers tailed 6 sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery at Illinois. His best game came in his sophomore year against Ohio State where he picked off a pair of Buckeye passes, returning the first one for a touchdown.

At Springfield North High School in Ohio Myers was a two-time Western Ohio League first team selection at defensive back, was named all-city, all-area, all-county, all-district and all-region. Myers was also an all-state selection by the Springfield News & Sun. In One game Myers accounted for eight touchdowns in one game, throwing four and running for four, during his senior season.

Coach Richards Said, "Ty (Myers) has great feet and is a very good linebacker and could be the leader of the defense."

Garry Johnson is 6-3 and 289 lbs., tackle from Arkansas State University, signed by the Atlanta Falcons in 2004 after a stint with the Cincinnati Bangles after the 2003 NFL Draft.

At Arkansas State Johnson was an All-American honorable mention by The NFL Draft Report. Johnson was also awarded All-Conference honors in every year he played at ASU. Over his career at ASU Johnson was Mr. Consistency while starting 46 games and 2882 snaps over his four year career. Johnson is a gifted athlete who started at right tackle during his first two years with the Indians before shifting to the demanding left side. In His last three years he did not allow a quarterback sack. Johnson also was a Lombardi and Outland Trophy in his senior season.

Coach Richards said "(Garry) Johnson is a top prospect and has the raw talent to make it to the next level and has been with 4 different NFL Teams."

Alge Atkinson is 6-4 and 258 lbs., linebacker from Kansas University, drafted by the New England Patriots in 2002 in the 5th round. In 2003 signed with the Raiders and was allocated to NFL Europe in the third Round of their allocation draft.

At Kansas Atkinson played in 45 games, earning 29 starts as a Jayhawk. He holds the school's career-record with 24 sacks and ranks third with 35 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Atkinson finished his career at Kansas with 190 tackles.

At Evanston Township High School Atkinson was an All-area and all-state pick by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.

"Alge (Atkinson) was drafted in the 5th round and is has tremendous talent but hasn't found the right scheme yet," Said Coach Richard.

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