Rattlers Sign Veteran Offensive Specialist
October 24, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release
PHOENIX - The Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League have signed offensive specialist Shannon Culver to a one-year contract, general manager/head coach Gene Nudo announced today.
"We are building a solid group of receivers," Nudo said. "To bring in an experienced guy like Culver and will really help out our club."
Culver (5-foot-11, 178 pounds), who is entering his seventh AFL season after taking a year away from the game, will enter camp as a candidate to become the team's offensive specialist.
In his six-year career, Culver has caught 240 passes for 3,118 yards and 60 touchdowns. His most productive seasons came as a member of the Dallas Desperados (2002, 2003) where he recorded 98 receptions for 1,131 yards and 20 touchdowns. After two years in Dallas, Culver hauled in 26 catches for 309 yards and five touchdowns with the Austin Wranglers in 2004.
Prior to playing arena football, Culver spent two years at Oklahoma State University after transferring from Los Angeles Pierce Community College. In his junior season with the Cowboys, he had 41 receptions for 629 yards and four touchdowns.
Nicknamed "Skinny", Culver has experience with five AFL teams including Anaheim (1997), Grand Rapids (1998), and Los Angeles (2000, 2001). The receiver also spent a year with the Xtreme Football League's Orlando Rage in 2001, where he caught 10 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
"He has shown his ability everywhere he has played," Nudo said of Culver. "We are looking forward to what he can bring to the table."
Born in Palmdale, Calif., Culver was a quarterback at Palmdale High School where he earned "All-CIF" honors.
In addition, the Rattlers have come to terms with wide receiver/defensive back Justin Taplin, who returns to Arizona after signing a two-year deal. The team also re-signed wide receiver/linebacker Wilson Thomas and offensive/defensive lineman Jerry Sharp to one-year contracts.
Taplin (6-foot-0, 185) will return to the Rattlers after being traded to the Georgia Force last season. Before the trade, he caught five passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns.
Thomas (6-5, 220) will be joining the Rattlers for his second consecutive season. Last year, he recorded 11 receptions for 135 yards including a touchdown. At linebacker, Thomas had 11 tackles and two pass breakups.
Sharp (6-3, 325), will be entering his 11th season (second with Arizona). In his career, he has 110 and a half tackles and 11 sacks.
The Rattlers will kick off their 15th season in the 20-year-old Arena Football League in January of 2006. Rattler season tickets, which include all eight games played at America West Arena, can be purchased by calling 602-514-8300.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 24, 2005
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