Rush Makes Change in Kicking Game
June 3, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
June 3, 2008 - The Chicago Rush made a change in its kicking game Tuesday, releasing kicker Dan Frantz and signing former Chicago Bears kicker Paul Edinger to a three-year contract.
Edinger will wear No. 22 and make his AFL debut when the Rush plays at Cleveland Saturday night.
"This is one of the tougher decisions I've had to make in the last couple years, but I felt we needed to make a change," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "I appreciate everything Dan has done for this organization - and for me personally - over the past three years, including helping us win an ArenaBowl title in 2006. He is good kicker and an ever better person, and I'm confident that he will land somewhere and help another team win some games."
Edinger (5-8, 175, Michigan State) spent time with the Rush in training camp earlier this season after kicking for the Rush coaches in a private workout. While impressive during training camp, the Rush staff opted to begin the season with the veteran Frantz.
Originally drafted by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, Edinger spent five seasons (2000-2004) in a Bears uniform. With Chicago he converted all 133 of his career PAT attempts and 110 of 146 field goal attempts - including 13 of 19 from beyond 50 yards.
In 2005, Edinger signed with the Minnesota Vikings where he nailed 31 of 31 extra points and 25 of 34 field goals - including a career high 56-yarder to beat the Packers. He has not kicked in a professional game since 2005.
Frantz (6-1, 200, Portland State) was in his third season with the Rush, having joined the team during its 2006 ArenaBowl championship season. This season Frantz had converted 93 of 102 PAT attempts, but just five of 12 field goal attempts, including missing three of his six attempts from less than 30 yards.
In his three seasons in Chicago, Frantz played in 36 games, converting 250 of 275 extra point attempts and 25 of 56 field goal attempts.
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