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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Ink Six More Players To 2008 Squad

November 6, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


PHOENIX - Head Coach Kevin Guy announced the signings of six more players to the team's 2008 squad today, bringing the team's total in the eight day old AFL free agency period to 19.

Rookie QB JORDAN PALMER (6-6, 235, UTEP) and veteran WR/DB RUFUS BROWN (5-10, 190, Florida State) lead the group of the newest Rattlers. Palmer is the younger brother of the Cincinnati Bengals and former top overall draft pick Carson Palmer. A sixth-round pick of the Washington Redskins, Palmer was a four-year starter for the University of Texas-El Paso who passed for over 11,000 yards in his career. His senior season, he completed 64% of his throws for 28 touchdowns. Brown was in training camp with the San Jose SaberCats in 2007. He joined Las Vegas as a starter in the team's secondary in the second half of the season, where he finished fourth on the team in tackles with 39.5. Brown was also in training camp with the Redskins in 2004 and 2005, and the team allocated him to NFL Europe's Hamburg Sea Devils.

"Jordan will create competition and add some depth at the quarterback spot," said Guy. "Rufus has a lot of natural ability, can really run and can press the motion."

The team also brought in a trio of lineman in OL KYLE YOUNG (6-5, 330, Fresno State), DL KYLE HUNT (6-4, 260, Southeast Missouri State) and DL TOLIFILI LIUFAU (6-2, 300, Fresno City College). Young was a four year starter at Fresno State and was ranked among the top centers in the nation, starting 39 consecutive games. Hunt enjoyed a stand-out career at Southeast Missouri State before being added to the Philadelphia Eagles as a tight-end in their 2007 training camp. His senior season, he recorded 38 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Liufau was a stand-out defensive lineman for the 2007 Rio Grande Valley Dorados, where he was a force in the pass rush, notching 9.5 sacks, 14 TFL and forced four fumbles. He also recovered three fumbles, one of which he returned a franchise-record 49 yards for a touchdown.

"One of our main focuses this offseason was to rebuild the front three on both sides of the ball, and these players will do a lot for us," said Guy about his new linemen.

Re-signed was FB/LB ERIK AREVALO (6-5, 275, Azusa Pacific), who started out on the Rattlers practice squad before being added to the active roster in mid-season. Arevalo played in Arizona's match with the New York Dragons.

LB Grant Steen and DB Tyrone Sanders were waived.

The 2008 Arizona Rattlers kickoff their 17th season in March. Season tickets, group tickets and premium single game tickets can be purchased by calling 602-379-2333.

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