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Raptors Sign Seven from Open Tryouts

November 21, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Rock River Raptors News Release


ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rock River Raptors of the United Indoor Football (UIF) league announced today the signing of seven players from their open tryouts held this past Sunday. The signees include DB Bobby Speer, QB Shane Adler, WR Stafford Owens, DB/LB Blue Aldridge, DE Derek Robinson, WR/DB Thoni Oriental, and WR Dontrell Jackson.

Speer joins the Raptors after playing for the Peoria Rough Riders of the UIF last year. He played his senior season of college ball at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill., where he amassed 26.5 tackles, had one interception and two fumble recoveries. Prior to playing at Aurora University, Speer spent his first three years at Winston-Salem State University. "He flashed a 4.37 40 (yard dash) at the tryout camp Sunday and could be a great addition," said Head Coach Rik Richards.

Adler, a 6'5", 215 pound QB comes to the Raptors from Coe College. He also spent time at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. "Shane showed good feet Sunday, a very strong arm and proved to be coachable on the run," stated Richards.

Owens returns to the Raptors this season and will be a welcome addition at slot receiver. The Ohio University product caught 42 balls in his college career for 507 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 969 yards and seven touchdowns. Owens accumulated 713 yards on 64 returns, three of which he returned for touchdowns. Coach Richards on Owens: "I look forward to having Stafford around on a more consistent basis, and with his versatility I hope to help him move to the next level of his football career."

Aldridge, a Cornell College product, is another former Rough Rider. Last season, he played multiple positions for the winless Peoria team. "He has a bigger frame and when he ran a 4.4 in the 40 (yard dash), and then you add in his experience. I knew we had to try and make him an asset on our 2007 Raptor team," said Richards.

Robinson, a rookie out of Greenville College, showed good feet and long arms Sunday, and the ability to shed the block. "I heard nothing but good things about this young man prior to camp," commented Richards. "He didn't disappoint."

Oriental, a first-team All-Conference selection as a senior out of Dubuque, showed blazing speed Sunday with a 4.31 40-yard dash. Richards stated, "He was in camp with the Rush of the AFL trying to get a look and we wanted to get him here as well, and man is he fast!"

Jackson, out of Ohio University, comes to the Raptors with experience playing with Green Bay of the af2. "In Dontrell, I know what I get," said Richards. "He's a known commodity, great hips, and has been extremely underused where he has been and deserves a bigger stage. I hope we can be that stepping block to get him there."

Fans and businesses can purchase season tickets for the 2007 season by contacting the Raptors front office at 815-965-7000 or by visiting the Raptors website at www.raptorsuif.com.

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United Indoor Football Association Stories from November 21, 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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