Roster Keeps on Growing

February 3, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Tulsa Talons News Release


TULSA, Okla. - The af2 Tulsa Talons and Co-Owner/General Manager, Paul Ross, are thrilled to announce today the addition of new international talent and the re-signing of four former Talons' players. The arenafootball2 (af2) league office has officially assigned WR/LB, Shan Jordan and Zac Jones, OL/DL, Anton Ceaser and Wallace Sonnie and WR/DB, Katsuhiro Motono to the Tulsa Talons.

WR/LB Shan "Gold Mouth" Jordan (5'10, 195 lbs, 4-years) joins the Talons for another season. Jordan has played for the Talons off and on since the year 2000. Prior to his professional football career, Jordan graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. The 28 year-old has four years experience at the af2 level. Last season for the Talons, Jordan recorded one rush, caught 25 passes for 277 yards and nine touchdowns with a 34-yard long, two kickoff returns for one touchdown, 28 tackles (19 unassisted), 1.5 sacks for three yards, two pass deflects and forced one fumble for another touchdown in eight games. In week 18 last season, Jordan received U.S. Army Ironman of the week for the league. Jordan was a player the Talons brought in last season when the times were rough and players continued getting injured. When convinced to return to the turf, Jordan performed as if he hadn't missed a step.

WR/LB Zac "The Maniac" Jones (6'3, 215 lbs, 1-year) joins the Talons for an additional season. As a professional football player, Jones has played for the NIFL Rapid City Red Dogs, af2 Rochester Brigade and the Tulsa Talons. Jones played college ball for Chadron State in Nebraska. As a Talon, Jones, the unforgettable and fan favorite, recorded 25 catches for 249 yards and four touchdowns with a 22-yard long, one kickoff return, 21 tackles (12 unassisted) and forced one fumble in 11 games before his dreadful injury. Jones broke his right fibula during his exceptional one-handed touchdown grab that was replayed several times on television verse Wichita Stealth. This remarkable catch was the end of his 2004 football career. On week 17, Jones had tendon reconstructive surgery, which was identical to Curt Shilling, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Before his injury, Jones was known as a player who went after every pass whether it was in the stands, over the wall, unreachable or headed straight towards the pads.

OL/DL Anton "Cease" Ceaser (6'3, 270 lbs, 1-year) continues his professional football career with the Talons for a second season. Last season, the Cincinnati-native recorded 22 tackles (10 unassisted), four tackles for loss for nine yards, 3.5 sack for three yards, three quarterback hurries, two pass deflects, one safety and one forced fumble. Prior to the af2, the twenty-five year-old played for the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

OL/DL Wallace "Wally" Sonnie (6'2, 320 lbs, 1-year) comes to Tulsa for another season of Talons football. Wally played college ball for Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. Last season, Wally recorded one kickoff return, nine tackles (three unassisted), two tackles for loss for four yards, five quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery.

WR/DB Katsuhiro Motono (5'9, 185 lbs) joins the Talons out of Osaka, Japan. Motono was a part of the Osaka-Industry High School football team who won the Japan Championship game in 1994. Following high school, Motono played for Ritsumeikan University as a DB and CB. In 1999, Motono won MVP honors and was a part of the College National Championship team in Japan. In 2001, Motono earned Intercept Leader (5 times/5 games) in the X-League, was nominated for All-College CB in the College All-Star game and for "Touchdown (Japan football magazine)" All Japan CB and played on the IBM Japan football team. In 2002, Motono became the first Japanese player to take part in an af2 game. Motono played for the af2 Hawaiian Islanders in 2002 and for Albany Conquest in 2003. In 2004, Motono joined the IBM Japan football team once again and earned Intercept Leader (4 times/5 games) in X-League and won MVP honors.

"With the addition of these four veterans to the Talons as well as Katsuhiro as an international player, we have just added to the core of our team from last year. We are hoping by the end of our signings, we will have anywhere from 12-16 players returning from our squad last year. By signing these guys, we will make a very strong push for the ArenaCup this year. Katsuhiro is a player that Head Coach David Alexander and I watched when we attended the tryout over in Japan. What we liked so much about him, other than the fact that he's a great ball player, is his passion for the game. He is going to be a great player to have with us for the 2005 season. I am very excited about camp starting and getting to work with all of these great athletes," stated Offensive Coordinator/Player Personnel, Coach Allner. The Tulsa Talons kick-off their 2005 season on April 1 at the Amarillo Civic Center versus af2's new arrival, the Amarillo Dusters.

TALONS NOTES: TICKETS...Season tickets are now available! To become a Tulsa Talons season ticket holder contact the office and reserve your seats for as low as $40 for the entire season. TRYOUTS...The Talons will be holding an open tryout on Sunday, February 6, 2005 at the Tulsa Convention Center. For details please go to our website or contact Coach Allner. Thank you for supporting your Tulsa Talons!



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