Steamwheelers Make First Cuts of the Pre-Season
March 22, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa âThe Quad City Steamwheelers announced today that they have reassigned two players to the arenafootball2 league. Kicker Matthew Russell and fullback/linebacker Brian Davis were the first two cuts for coach Rich Ingold to bring his roster total down the league mandated 30 players.
Davis lost his roster spot after re-injuring his hamstring, while Russell was cut following a kicking try-out with three other potential kickers.
Davis came to the Steamwheelers after a season as the starting fullback for the minor league outdoor Twin City Storm. He also spent some time with the Peoria Pirates of the IFL in 1999.
Looking to enter his af2 rookie season, Russell came to the Steamwheelers via Ohio State University. While at Ohio State he backed up All-American / All-Big Ten kicker Mike Nugent during the Buckeyes National Championship season in 2002.
Ingold and his staff will make the final cuts for the season on Monday, March 29. The Steamwheelers roster will be cut down to 21 players (19 active, 2 inactive) prior to the first game of the season against the Manchester (N.H.) Wolves on April 3. Kickoff for the season opener is set for 7:30 p.m. at The MARK of the Quad Cities.
About Arena Football League
Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League, the second-longest running football league in U.S. history, is in its 18th season. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. The Austin Wranglers join the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo as the three expansion teams added for the 2004 season. At least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL is currently celebrating its second season on NBC in 2004.
The arenafootball2 league is in its Fifth Anniversary season and serves as the AFL's developmental league. The arenafootball2 (af2) league consists of 25 teams in medium-sized markets with the purpose of training players, coaches and officials for higher levels of football. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past three years.
Several players have moved on to the NFL from the af2 including the âWheelers standout defensive rush end in 2003, Asa Francis, who last month signed with the Buffalo Bills to play in NFL Europe this spring.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their Fifth Anniversary season as one of the charter members of the league. Season tickets are currently on sale starting as low as $54. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets may contact Steamwheelers Director of Ticket Sales Brian Forth at 563-324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For all the up to the minute Steamwheelers news, visit www.steamwheelers.com.
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