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Veterans Return to Talons

January 9, 2003 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tulsa Talons News Release


Tulsa, OK- The Tulsa Talons of the arenafootball2 League announced the assignment of several players at a press conference held at the Spirit Bank / Tulsa Talons office complex this afternoon. The players include quarterback Craig Strickland, fullback / linebacker Corky Martin, defensive specialist Larry Hollinquest, kicker Tony Dodson, offensive / defensive lineman Josh McMillan, fullback / linebacker Johnny Balous, wide receiver / defensive back Kevin Nickerson, and wide receiver / linebacker Kareem Wise; all of which are Talons veterans.

Strickland quarterbacked the Talons during the 2000 and 2001 seasons and is the Talons all-time leading passer. In his career, the 6-2, 210-pound signal caller has thrown for 6,792 yards and 129 touchdowns in a Tulsa uniform. Strickland also has 126 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in his career. His best year was in 2001 when he led the Talons to a 13-3 record and threw for 4,009 yards and 80 touchdowns, all of which are Talons single-season records. Before joining the Talons in 2000, Strickland quarterbacked the University of Texas - El Paso.

Prior to last season, Strickland signed a contract with the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League, but injured his shoulder in the pre-season and spent all of the 2002 season on injured reserve. His shoulder is healthy again and he is anxious to get back on the football field.

"It's something I've been looking forward to. With missing the whole season last year, my goal the last year has been to prepare myself the best I can to get back on the field," said Strickland. "I look at coming back to Tulsa as an opportunity and not a step back in my career. The Talons are the reason that I got the opportunity to go to AFL in the first place, and I am looking forward to continuing my career and playing for a first-class organization.

Fullback / linebacker Corky Martin will return for his second season in a Tulsa uniform this spring. Martin was known as one of the af2's best fullback / linebackers during the 2001 season and was selected to the All-af2 First Team. On defense, he earned a reputation for making big plays as he totaled 49 tackles, including five for losses and five quarterback sacks. He also forced two fumbles and recovered five more. On offense, he scored three touchdowns. Martin played his collegiate ball at Southwest Missouri State, where he set a school record with 497 career tackles. He played high school football at Sequoyah High School near Claremore, Okla.

Following his stellar 2001 season, Martin signed a contract with the Dallas Desperados of the AFL. However, the injury bug would bite and he broke his foot early in the season and spent the rest of the year on injured reserve.

Defensive Specialist Larry Hollinquest will be back with the Talons for his third season in 2003. After playing sparingly in 2001, Hollinquest emerged as one of the league's top defensive specialists last season when his play earned him a spot on the Second-Team All-af2 squad. He led the Talons and ranked fourth in the af2 with 89.5 tackles and intercepted nine passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns. His 43 total passes defended tied for the league lead. Before joining the Talons, Hollinquest played at the University of Missouri.

Kicker Tony Dodson will once again handle the kicking duties for the Talons in 2003. In his two previous years in a Talons uniform, Dodson has connected on 86% of his extra point attempts and has totaled 207 points. Dodson converted on 12 of his 18 field goal attempts in 1999 while a senior at the University of Arkansas.

Offensive / Defensive lineman Josh McMillan returns for his fourth season with the Talons. He is the Talons' leader in games played, appearing in 37 regular season games in the 2000, 2001, and 2002 seasons. McMillan has been the anchor of the Talons' offensive line for the last three years, and on the defensive side of the ball, has totaled 35.5 tackles and 6.5 sacks. McMillan was a three-time First-Team All-Conference selection at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.

Fullback / linebacker Johnny Balous will be back for his third season with the Talons. After playing in only one game in 2001, Balous had a breakout year in 2002, totaling 23 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two sacks on defense. On offense, he scored a team-high seven rushing touchdowns and rushed for 52 yards. Balous played his college football at the University of Oklahoma.

Wide receiver / defensive back Kevin Nickerson will also return for the 2003 season. Nickerson joined the Talons in May of 2002 and appeared in nine games, catching 14 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned six kickoffs for a 24.3-yard average and one for a touchdown. On defense, he totaled six tackles and intercepted one pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Nickerson was a four-year letter winner at Central Missouri State where he totaled 10 total returns for touchdowns (eight punt returns and two kickoff returns).

Wide receiver / linebacker Kareem Wise will suit up for his second year with the Talons this spring. Wise played in six games last season, catching six passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for one score. On the defensive side of the ball, Wise totaled 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. Wise played wide receiver for two years at the University of Missouri, catching 38 passes for 459 yards and one touchdown. He also played two years at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

The Talons will begin defense of their 2002 National Conference Central Division crown this spring when the af2 season begins. Tulsa's three-year regular season record of 36-12 is among the league's best and the Talons have qualified for the playoffs in each of those three years. For Talons season ticket information, contact the Talons office at 918-664-4453.



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