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Vipers Assigned DB/WR Freeman, Kicker Lee

December 3, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Vipers News Release


HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Tennessee Valley Vipers coach Milt Theodosatos had set his sights on acquiring solid building blocks for the 2007 season and his latest pair of veteran assignments from arenafootball2 are a perfect fit.

Former Alabama A&M defensive back Henry Freeman, the Vipers' second-leading tackler and a new threat at wide receiver in 2006, and ex-Jacksonville State standout Steven Lee, one of af2's most consistent kickers last season, have both agreed to return for the '07 campaign.

Theodosatos said his newest additions will provide a mix of leadership, experience and dedication.

"Henry is like a coach on the field - he's a veteran and he knows our system going way back,'' Theodosatos said. He's a solid player both offensively and defensively. Henry has a great attitude, he's a competitor and a winner - everything you want in a player.

"Steven is a solid kicker. He's got the right attitude for a kicker and he's very coachable. He kicked for us as a Viper back in 2004, battled through some tests after that and last season he just really blossomed."

Freeman (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) led the Vipers in tackles as a rookie defensive specialist in 2004, but saw significant time in "˜06 at wide receiver in addition to anchoring Tennessee Valley's secondary. He was second on the squad with 46 tackles and also had a pair of interceptions and nine pass breakups. The Mobile native also caught 19 passes for 277 yards.

"I just felt like the arrival of Coach T late last season was something positive,'' Freeman said. "We really closed things out on a good note (with a 55-40 win at Birmingham) and it gave me a good feeling for the future. Plus, we get to open the season against Birmingham and I can't wait to feel the excitement and the atmosphere. I'm ready to get things back like the old days."

Lee (6-0, 180) was second in scoring for the Vipers last season with 80 points after converting 59 of 73 extra points and hitting on 7 of 35 field goals. He had a career-long 56-yard field goal against Bakersfield and was perfect on seven extra-point attempts in Tennessee Valley's season-ending win over the Steeldogs.

"I'm just looking forward to the chance to build on the way we closed out the season last year,'' Lee said. "Personally, I thought I had a strong year and hopefully I'll have an even better '07."

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