Yard Dawgz Add Haglund, AFL Veterans
March 22, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz officially announced the assignment of kicker AJ Haglund, defensive end CJ McLain and lineman Dustin Barno.
AJ Haglund (5'8, 170) spent only one full season in the af2 with the Yard Dawgz, but still managed to set records in both the 2006 regular season and postseason. Named the 2006 af2 Kicker of the Year and 2008 AFL Kicker of the Year, Haglund still owns the af2 record for career extra point accuracy (90.9 percent) and co-owns the af2 record for the longest field goal ever made in postseason play (57 yards).
Haglund began his career with the Yard Dawgz in 2005, but began to garner national attention in 2006, when he led all kickers in scoring with 146 points, a total that ranks third all-time for points by a kicker in a season. He also made 10 field goals, with five coming from 30 yards or longer. During the last 10 weeks of the season, Haglund connected on an incredible 69 straight extra points, a streak that spanned over eight games. Haglund also had the best season for point after accuracy in af2 history, converting on 93.5 percent (116-of-124) of his point after attempts. He also excelled on kickoffs, recording 23 touchbacks.
After signing with the SaberCats in 2007, Haglund was named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team. During that season, he broke the AFL single-season extra point record with 128-of-138 PATs (92.8 percent). In 2008, Haglund was named to the All-Arena First Team in addition to being named AFL Kicker of the Year. During that season, he led all kickers in scoring (179 points) while connecting on 21-of-25 (84.0 percent) field goal attempts and converting 16-of-124 extra-point attempts. He also registered 26 touchbacks and recorded 16.0 tackles.
"In order to win a Championship, you have to outstanding in all three phases of the game; offense, defense and more importantly special teams. Having signed the best kicker in the AFL gives us a great opportunity to succeed at a high level in the kicking game." Head Coach Sparky McEwen said. "Securing AJ Haglund was one of our top off season priorities because he was the most highly sought after kicker in the AFL."
Long-time arena veteran CJ McLain (6'4, 260) joins the Yard Dawgz after playing in both the AFL and af2. In eleven seasons between the two leagues, McLain made 50.5 sacks and ranks 2nd all-time in af2. He lettered three years at the University of Arkansas, finishing his career with 83 tackles, 17 for a loss, 13 sacks and 4 forced fumbles.
"CJ gives our defensive line a solid experienced edge rusher that can be disruptive to any AFL offensive unit." McEwen added. "After being off a year, we understand that we get a fresh high motor and well respected end in the AFL."
Defensive Lineman Dustin Barno (6'3, 270) also joins the Yard Dawgz after spending five seasons with the Colorado Crush and the Arizona Rattlers. Barno has tallied 50 tackles, 41 assists and 13 sacks during his career. He owns the single season sack record for the Crush with six and helped lead the Crush to an Arena Bowl Championship in 2005. Barno was a two-time All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference First Team selection at East Stroudsburg University.
Join the Yard Dawgz as we kick-off the 2010 season against the Jacksonville Sharks on Saturday, April 3, at 7:05 pm at the Cox Convention Center and finish Friday, July 30 against the Tulsa Talons live on the NFL Network.
Season tickets start as low as $63 and are now available! Call 405.228.3294 or visit www.okcyarddawgz.com for more information.
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