San Diego Assigned Three More
Published on January 6, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
SAN DIEGO â The Riptide are pleased to announce the re-assignment of veteran WR/LB Rico Curtis to the 2005 roster. Along with Curtis, San Diego was assigned linemen Noah Drucker and Chris Lawrence. Curtis and Drucker have spent at least two years in the league and played against each other in the 2003 season. Lawrence will make his arena football debut.
Rico "Hitman" Curtis will enter his fourth season with the âTide. Heralded as one of San Diego's hometown favorites, this 6'1", 240lb monster recorded 152 tackles in his first af2 season, a record that still stands today. In the same season, Curtis took home All-af2 first team honors. The following season, he illustrated his versatility when he notched nearly 100 rushing yards for eight touchdowns, two sacks, and seven receptions. In 2004, he led the league in fumble recoveries with eight, half of which were returned for touchdowns. He took home ADT Defensive Player of the Game Honors twice in that season. Prior to his dedication to the Riptide crusade for a championship, Curtis spent time on the 2000 San Diego Chargers training camp roster and was a stand-out defensive back for the San Diego State Aztecs. In college, he was a three-time all conference selection, most outstanding defensive player, and team MVP.
"The most important thing is that I have a lot of fun playing for this team," said Curtis. "The team is great. We can win a championship, it's the only thing we haven't done yet. I want my ring before I retire."
Drucker reunites with Coach Ponder after spending the 2004 season working out in Arizona and recovering from a knee injury. He made a name for himself when he stepped in for injured starter, Chris Enneking, in his first week with the Wichita Stealth in 2003. He played ten games with the team and recorded 11 tackles and a forced fumble. Previous to making the move to Kansas, he was a member of the National Division-West Champion, Bakersfield Blitz, where he recorded 38 tackles, including five sacks. The af2 stud played college ball with the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame before transferring to the University of Northern Colorado.
"(Drucker) is a quality player," said Coach Ponder. "He had a brief stint with the Arizona Rattlers and will be a huge asset at the center position."
Lawrence, a high school basketball star, was also assigned to the team in hopes that he will replicate the success of Antonio Gates in the NFL. He spent his college years on the campus of the University of Maine, opting to focus his energy and time to his scholastic endeavors. Upon graduating, Lawrence decided it was time to explore his talents on the field instead of the court.
"Basketball is a game of instincts," said Lawrence. "You have to know when to make the cut and feel where the ball is going. In football, you get to be more physical. It allows you more time to make adjustments since you have breaks between each down."
He played defensive end and left tackle for the Virginia Monarchs of the Mason-Dixon Football League and the Chandler Cobras of the Arizona Football League. He currently lives with recent assignment, Noah Drucker, in Arizona.
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