Cardinals 2008 Blog

[Suicane]

PRE-PRE-PRE-SEASON

Ughhh, I dont know what to do. Do I stick with McMurray and the squad and hope for better results? Do I blow it up? Im so torn. I need a quality running back. I need, I need, I need. Ughhhh.

[hawkster]

Re: Cardinals 2008 Blog

I need, I need, I need.

This has entirely too many fill in the blank possibilities

[sovstar]

blooooooooooooooooooooooooog

[Matt]

blooooooooooooooooooooooooog

I was waiting for that :lol:

[Matt]

thanks to you, everytime I hear someone say "blog" I aways say "bloooooooooooooooooogg" in my freaking head

[SteveBsFan]

1 vote for blow it up

[Suicane]

Problem with blowing it up is that i'd need to find alot of the perfect parnters for trading. I dont wanna move 2 guys and have 6 left over and be stuck with my ass half off the craper.

[spunkywhitebread]

Blow it up and send them all to Portland.

[Suicane]

Almost A Horrible Incident

Breaking news.
Injured Cardinal Gaurd William Salmon almost suffered a life ending fate early today outside of Cardinals headquarters.

Upon leaving the teams training facilities where he is rehabilitating an ACL injury, Salmon was nearly runover by a reckless motorist.

Salmon was hobbling his fat ass over to his SUV when what has been described by an onlooker as a "Sleek ass Porsche type thing, fast as hell" came speeding around the corner and nearly turned Salmon into fishsticks.

"I didn't see anything", Salmon said, "I just heard the engine and the wheels behind me, spinning like a phonograph record on meth. I turned my head and saw a red car heading right towards me and dove to the ground and rolled under my truck, I nearly peed myself".

The lone witness, Reginald Fancybottom of New Madrid said he was busy eating a snow cone, but lifted his head just in time to see the car speed away, he caught a brief glimpse of the license plates and could only make out the final 2 letters, OG.

When Quarterback Mark McMurray was informed of Salmons near demise, he hung his head and said "near?" And continued passing drills.

[MrBigglesworth]

I was thinking about taking on Salmon, but I think he would be a team leader for me, and I can't have that.

[Suicane]

He's a swell dude. Pinky swear.

[sovstar]

I'll take Salmon on in return for your incarceration.

[Suicane]

GOODBYE
----------------------------
Wether they retired, were cut or decided to sign elsewhere, these players are no longer on our team.

QB Kurt Walsh, Released:
Kurt joined us as a free agent prior to the 2006 season and spent 2 years here in St. Louis. After Mark McMurrays injury early last season Kurt struggled in his stead, throwing 10 interceptions in 7 games. The emergence of Cornelius Hutton made Kurt expendable from a buisness standpoint. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

RB Darrin Felts, Realeased:
Darrin has been a fan favorite in St. Louis from his arrival here in 2004. An undrafted back out of Pitt University, Darrin scrapped to make the team in training camp. The local media made big headlines out of his story and then he garnered even more attention when he took over the starting tailback job midway thru his rookie season. Never a dominant back, Darrin was a workhorse who always seemed to pick up his yards at most opportune times. In 2005 he carried the ball 286 times for over 1000 yards and 9 touchdowns as the Cardinals won the Imperial Bowl, he will always be a synonomous name with that team. He struggled mightily in 2006 however and was replaced as the starting tailback. Again in 2007 he struggled and despite being given the job back at the end of the season he did not have the qualities the team was looking for in their starting Running Back. As the offseason progressed the Cardinals decided that they needed to overhaul their entire backfield, all 3 Running Backs from last years squad were either released or not tendered new contracts. Darrin is a part of Cardinals histroy and he always will be but the time had simply come to move forward. The Cardinals Organization wishes Darrin the best in his future IFL career.

RB Terrell Foreman, Released:
Terrell joined us prior to the 2006 season with the intention of being the backup to Darrin Felts. Following Felts early season struggles, Terrell started 10 games for us that season, gaining 1025 yards. Last year he shared RB duties with a man platoon as the team struggled to find a back to step forward. The Cardinals have elected to dispense with the rotation system they have used the past 2 seasons and that made Terrell expendable. We appreciate the service he has given us and wish him well in his new home in Oakland where he recently signed a 3 year deal.

RB Juan Carrington, Unsigned:
Juan was a late season roster filler signing last season as a rookie and appeared in only 2 games. He is currently not in anyones camp but we certainly wish him the best of luck in his future, football and otherwise.

FB William Coburn, Retired:
William played limitidly for us last year. A majority of his career was spent in Columbia, he ammased 99 receptions over his 5 year career. He was a good blocker and receiver and we would of loved to have him back this season but he decided to hang up the cleats.

FB Jamal Cotter, Released:
Jamal was a great player for us over his 4 years here. Signed as a free agent from Pittsburgh following the 2003 season he came in and started every game for us at FB from opening day 2004 until week 10 in 2007 when he suffered a hamstring tear. Jamal rehabbed all offseason but it was clear to us that he is nowhere near ready to play and as a business decision we had to cut him. Jamal is 35 years old but he hopes to still catch on with another team. His best season was likely the 2006 campaign where he gained 455 yards on the ground and caught 51 passes.

FB Bill McCabe, Unsigned:
Much like Carrington, McCabe was signed to compensate for the derth of injuries the Cardinals suffered during the 2007 season. Bill appeared in 4 games for us last season. He is currently attempting to win a roster spot in the CFL.

TE Gene Chavez, Unsigned:
Gene was another MASH unit replacement last season. He started 1 game and made 1 catch. The team was immpressed with Genes receving abilites but are currently content with their Tight Ends. Gene is attempting to catch on with another team this season and we wish him the best of luck.

TE Todd Conwell, Unsigned:
Todd was yet another undrafted rookie called upon to play for us during the 2007 season. He started 1 game and made 5 catches. He is currently working back home in Texas as a truck driver. We wish Todd the best in his future.

WR Leslie McKenzie, Unsigned:
Leslie saw very little playing time last season, appearing in only 2 games. Leslie is a good kick return man and is hopeing to catch on with another IFL team this season.

C Abel Boyd, Signed With Portland:
Abel was always a very good hand for us from the moment we picked him in the 34th round of the leagues dispersal draft.
In his 5 seasons in St. Louis he started 21 games. A workhorse with skill, Abel has struggled at times to find his all around game and in the end, management did not feel that the asking price was worth it. We are however pleased that Abel has found a new home in Portland and wish him the best of luck with the Seals.

C Scottie Barkley, Unsigned:
Originaly drafted in the 6th round by The Boston Dragons, Barkley signed on with the Cardinals earl in the season after being cut by the Dragons. He appeared in 10 games for us and looked good. The coaching staff sees alot of potential in this hard working kid and would not be adverse to bringing him into camp.

G Roosevelt Sherrod, Unsigned:
Roosevelt was signed last season after William Salmons knee injury and played in 11 games. He is currently trying to catch on with another team either in the IFL or World League.

DE Steven Currie, Released:
Steven was our 4th round draft pick last season and never really made an impact on the team. Stuck behind Ron Jean, Louie Maldonado and Albert Covington, Steven struggled to find playing time and only got in on 3 tackles in limited playing time last season. The addition of another Defensive End in the draft made Steven cuttable. We wish him the best in his future endeavors as he has already caught on with Pittsburgh.

DT John Mitchell, Released:
John was our 2nd round pick in 2004 and was hoped to be th heir aparent at DT to Ryamond Guffey. John however saw very little playing time in his first season and was clearly frustrated. When Guffey was injured early in the 2005 season, the coaching staff decided that John was not yet prepared to take over the role, which caused a further divide between the 2 camps. Guffey returned in 2006 and reclaimed his starting job in pre season. By the time the 2007 season came around, the team still felt that Mitchell was not prepared physicaly or mentaly for the starting job, leading to the addition of Frank Wideman. Mitchell spent a final tumultuous season in St. Louis in 2007, being neither happy nor pleasant. He asked for and was immediately granted his release following the season. John has signed in Newark and we hope that this a bright and new beggining for him.

DT Josh Barns, Released:
Josh was brought in during mini camp and given every chance to win a spot on our roster. As training camp approached it became clear to us that Josh was not going to make the squad and we granted him his unconditional release in the hope that he could catch on with another team before camp began.

SLB Neal Seng, Signed With Vancouver:
Neal is a veteran Linebacker who played well for us in a backup role last season. The focus of Linebackers thru draft this year however made resigning him a low priority. We wish him well in Vancouver.

SLB Luke Burroughs, Unsigned:
Inuries last season to Robert Yates and Dexter Black forced the Cardinals into bringing in a few undrafted rookies. Burroughs was on the those players. He appeared in 5 games, starting 2 and ammasing 9 tackles in his time here. The coaching staff were impressed with his desire but that drafting of 3 Linebackers make it unlikely that Burroughs will return to camp with the Cardinals.

SLB Butch Pringle, Unsigned:
Pringle was another player brought in to alleviate the injuries suffered in 2007. He played in games and made 4 tackles. He is currently working as a tax consultant in his hometown of La Vergne, Tennessee and a return to football is unlikely.

CB Joseph Falls, Signed With Vancouver:
Joseph is a player who has all the skills to be a premier punt returner and he really excelled for us in that position last season after 4 rather subpar seasons. Joseph played well but a derth of punt returners already on the roster and a few personality clashes with teamates made resigning Joseph less of a priortiy than 1 would expect. Still, we wish him the best in Vancouver.

CB Patrick Ellison, Unsigned:
Patrick was a 7th round draft pick of Little Rocks in 2006 but was cut before the regular season began. He signed with the Cardinals late in the season and played sparingly. We believe Patrick is a good enough player to play in this league and hope he succeeds in his efforts to catch on with another team.

CB Mac Breeland, Unsigned, Injured:
Mac signed with us last season as an unrestricted free agent from Pittsburgh. Mac had a promising start to his career in 2003 and 2004 with Hartford before missing the entire 2005 season with an injury. After a comeback season in Pittsburgh he joined the Cardinals hopeing to regain his past self. Mac was dismayed however when Tito Anderson was named the starting CB out of training camp and then in week 5 Mac tore his deltoid in a game against Louisiana. Doctors estimate that he wont be ready to return to the field until midseason at the earliest. The team is keeping in contact with Macs agent but have no plans at this time to offer him a contract.

FS Brad Tate, Unsigned:
Brad was a solid pickup for us last year after being cut by Albuquerque. He appeared in 4 games for us, starting 1.
He runs a health food store in his hometown of Green Bay but it is doing very poorly and he hopes to get an invite to someones camp this season. We wish him luck.





FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
----------------------------
Addition is the key to any championship season. Who you bring in to fill spots that need to be filled. Heres a list of offseason moves the Cardinals have made.

QB Gerald Sanders, 2 Years, $12 Million:
Sanders played 4 fantastic seasons in West Virginia before being traded to Columbia prior to last season as part of the Beasts rebuilding process. Not content to be a backup, Sanders asked for and was granted a trade to Houston where he started the final 12 games of the season and played very well for the Renegades. Gerald comes to camp knowing that he is the backup to Mark McMurray but also fully aware that if anything happens to the Cardinals starter, it will be his job to take over without missing a beat. Gerald has had a great but underpublicized career and he wants a ring badly. Both he and the Cardinals are excited about this partnership.

RB Justin Robinett, 1 Year, $850K:
Justin comes to us from Salt Lake City where he finished last season. Justin had a wild season last year, playing fro Anchorage, Murfreesboro and SLC. He spent 4 years in Albuquerque as a backup and ammased over 2000 yards and 15 touchdowns for them between 2003 and 2006. We believe Justin to be a durable back with great field vision and very good hands and our happy to have him on our team.

FB Percy Goforth, 1 Year, $350K:
Percy was an undrafted rookie sitting at home late season when the Cardinals called him. Injuries at the FB spot left the Cardinals with gaping holes and Percy came in to help fill them. His pass block ability has been noted by the coaching staff and they have brough him back this season and not only given him a chance to win a roster spot, but he is the front runner to be our starting Fullback.

TE Tanner Burris, 3 Years, $3 Million:
The broken leg suffered last season by backup TE Alfonso McGriff left us in a bind. Enter Tanner Burris. Tanner is a pass blocking specialist who we believe will add an undeniable dimension to our protection when he is on the field. In over 150 pass plays during his 5 year career in Lawrence, Tanner has yet to allow a sack. He is a welcome addition to both our protection unit and backfield.

WR Orlando Kinder, 1 Year, $820K:
Orlando spent the first 2 seasons of his career in Houston where he served as both a Wide Receiver and Punt Returner. While his average is low, his speed is unparaleled and we feel that with the right special teams unit around him, Orlando can be a game breaker for us.

WR Marshall Talley, 1 Year, $590K:
Marshall has spent the past 2 seasons with us as our 5th WR and Kick Returner. He has struggled in his first 2 seasons but with the coaches planning a full revamp of the special teams unit we wanted someone with Marshalls back to return kicks.

C Timothy Green, 2 Years, $2.74 Million:
Green wears the label of Journeyman on his sleeve, he has spent his 5 year career with Norfolk, Salt Lake City and Vermont. But Cardinals management sees not a journeyman Center for hire, but rather a man who has allowed 2 sacks in his last 700 pass plays. We signed Timothy with the intention of making the Center position an open competetion and feel that as a starter he can thrive for us.

G Alexander Neel, 1 Year, $1 Million:
Neel joins us in much the same capacity that Green does, a veteran who will be given every opportunity to win a starting job, and he shares some of the same pedigree. Alexander has given up 3 sacks in his last 700 pass plays and we feel that he would fit right in starting for us and our pass heavy offense. Following 2 very good seasons in Madison in 2003 and 2004, Alexander was relegated to backup duty for 2 seasons before moving on Orlando last year where he barely played. We feel that a reinvigorated Neel has a chip on shoulder and wants to show the league what he can do, and we're more than happy to have him show them that on our team.

DE Ron Jean, 2 Years, $2.9 Million:
Ron is a 9 year veteran whom after playing for 3 teams in 3 years finnaly got noticed in Murfreesboro in 2006. The Cardinals brought him in last year and his staunch run stopping ability won him the starting job at LDE. Resigning Ron gives the Cardinals a very strong depth chart at DE where he and Albert Covington split alot of situational time opposite Louie Maldonado. Ron was in on 50 tackles last year and fits the Cardinals very well, it's a pleasure to have him back.

DT Thomas Gordon, 1 Year, $850K:
Thomas is a former Cardinal who returns to the flock after being gone for half a season. He spent the first 3 and half years of his career as our backup NT before being released in the middle of the 2007 season do to cap and roster issues. Thomas caught on almost right away with Columbia and finished the 2007 campaign with them. Looking to add a veteran 3rd DT to our squad in the offseason we signed Thomas with every intent of letting him compete for that spot and he has done a brilliant job. His work ethic and attitude in the locker room make him a fan favorite and we are happy to have Thomas back in the fold.

FS Donn Wisdom, 2 Years, $4.35 Million:
A very durable cover man, Dom is a veteran leader whom we hope will add to our clubhouse and provide us with quality depth at the Safety position. Our secondary has had numerous injury issues over the past 2 seasons and we are banking on the addition of Dom as well as a few others to strengthen that spot for us.





2008 CARDINALS DRAFT PICKS
----------------------------
Some say the draft is the most important part of a teams season. It's where you can find the diamond in the rough or million dollar turd. Here is a look at the Cardinals 2008 draft.

3.30 CB Marcus Oliver:
Marcus comes to us out of Army University, he is a very good cover Cornerback with an exceptional mind, football and otherwise. At only 21 years of age he still has alot to learn about the game but we feel that he can and will develop into a fine shutdown Cornerback.

3.32 WLB Calvin Collier:
Injuries last year to Robert Yates and Dexter Black put a strain on our Outside Linebackers, so we knew that that need needed to be addressed this offseason and in the draft. And in Calvin Collier we believe we've taken a big first step towards addressing those needs. Calvin is a hard hitting, smart player who excells in zone and contact pass defending and has excellent pass rushing technique. He comes to us from Florida State University where big situations are no stranger to him. Calvin is a player whom we feel is plenty capable of stepping right in immiadtely if need be and we look to him as a big part of future Linebacker unit.

4.14 RB Erik Farrell:
Erik joins a revamped Cardinals backfield this year and will be called upon very early. He has excellent receiving skills out of the backfield. His slippery nature led him to over 1000 yards as a senior at NC State. The Cardinals have never had a back with the receiving skills that Erik brings to the field and are excited about the possibilites he presents to them.

4.31 WLB Corey Poole:
A University of Michigan grad, Poole posses great cover skills as well as very good pass rushing ability. His flexibility at many positions is something alot of teams would love to have as Corey has shown the ability to play both CB, S and LB spots. His skillset has shown thru no matter where on the field he is positioned and that makes him an invaluable asset to our team.

5.2 FB Sammie Reish:
Sammy brings above average pass blocking skills and a toughness to our team. Drafted out of Oregon University he is a hard nose old school type of player who is a special teams general. Besides his blocking and special teams skills, Sammie also has shown the ability to play Running Back. He is a very multi dimensional player who we feel can add alot to our team.

5.18 SLB Moe Royer:
Moe is a smart, finnese Linebacker whose size works against him, but his heart has earned him respect at every level he's played. His special teams abilities are what the coaches praised most about him in the war room and it is likely that Moes spot on the roster has been secured thru that.

6.16 G Marvin Junker:
Another Syracuse grad, Marvin has shown a steady if unspectacular all around ability. The injury to William Salmon has left room on the team for competition at the Guard position and we believe Marvin will thrive under that scenario. He comes to camp with every chance to win a spot on our team.

6.30 DT Stan Amundson:
Stan may have the hardest road towards making the Cardinals in 2008. Stan played NT in College but is woefully undersized in that role in the IFL. Cardinals coaches however are enthralled his mix of brains, power and quickness and are looking to move Stan around the line alot in camp. Having no set position is both a blessing and a curse but Stan has show a willingness to play and compete anywhere he is asked, truly a valuable thing for a team to have.

7.14 DE Bert Quinn:
With only 3 Defensive Ends on the roster, we knew that at some point in the draft we would be looking to add a 4th man. That moment came midway thru the 7th round when we selected Bert Quinn out of Ohio State. Burt is a very raw, very strong bull rusher who had nearly as many sacks (8) in his senior season as he did tackles (11). We feel that with the right tutelage provided from our 3 veteran Ends that Bert can grow into a very solid Imperial League player.

7.16 CB Terry Sawyer:
Terry comes from Oklahoma where he started as a senior and displayed a hawklike abilty to intercept passes. The Cardinals have spent the offseason restructering their backup secondary and Terry will play a large role in that. His ballhawk abilities will serve the team well in nickel and dime situations and his durability and elite special teams play add a great deal to the team besides what he can do at the CB position.

7.30 WR Timothy Cobb:
On a team already stocked with outstanding Wide Receivers, one would wonder why WR Timothy Cobb out of Notre Dame would be drafted. The answer is simple, amazing hands. Though a career practice squad player, this Notre Dame grad showed enough glimpses of brilliance at the combine that the coaching staff had no trouble selecting him when he was still on the board late in the draft weekend. Cobb is a project for sure, but one that the organization believes will pay off handsomely down the line.





RENOGOTIATED
----------------------------
How the hell do you make room for all those nifty players? Sometimes you gotta rework some deals. Not just for now, but for the future, to lock that stud up long term and give you leeway next season, and beyond. Heres a list of the renogotiated contracts the Cardinals handed out this offseason.

QB Mark McMurray, 4 Years, $11 Million
TE Conrad Beyer, 3 Years, $4.6 Million
WR Olin Holst, 5 Years, $49.4 Milion
WR Phillip Brauer, 3 Years, $3.2 Million
WR Zachary Hall, 4 Years, $14.2 Million
C Ike Duran, 3 Years, $3 Million
T Blaine Taylor, 2 Years, $1.35 Million
K Boyce Hedden, 2 Years, $1.7 Million
P Leigh McCarthy, 2 Years, $1.7 Million
DE Louie Maldonado, 4 Years, $46.5 Million
DE Albert Covington, 3 Years, $4.46 Million
DT Raymond Guffey, 2 Years, $2.3 Million
MLB Noel Daniels, 3 Years, $15.2 Million
WILB Leon McGrew, 5 Years, $6.9 Million
SLB Robert Yates, 3 Years, $12 Million
WLB Dexter Black, 3 Years, $4.9 Million
CB Drew Sandstrom, 6 Years, $55 Million
FS Gil Langevin, 3 Years, $9 Million





INJURIES
----------------------------
Following last seasons brutal season in which Busch Stadium resembled a war field MASH unit, the Cardinals enter camp with more than a few players still in the sick bed.

SLB Robert Yates, MCL Knee Surgery:
Yates will likely not return until sometime in the pre season. He has been running and practicing lightly with the team and the hope is that he is fully recovered and at the same level of play he was when he suffered the injury last season. Right now he is being counted on to resume his role as the starting SLB when the season begins.

TE Alfonso McGriff, Compound Leg Fracture:
The sickening display during week 15's game against Murfreesboro was enough to make some grown men cry. Alfonso McGriff was our very first Tight End, he started all 16 games during our innagural season in 2003, catching 61 passes for nearly 600 yards. The addition of Conrad Beyer the following season relegated Alfonso to backup, but he never complained, as has spent the past 4 seasons being a team leader and filling in whenever called upon. That's why the gruesome leg injury he suffered last season hurt maybe just a little more. Alfonso is in the final year of his contract but it is highly unlikely he will ever suit up for the Cardinals or any other IFL team again. He is currently walking unnasisted, an amazing feat given the severity of the injury, but doctors do not expect to clear him to resume any kind of football related activities anytime in the near future.

G William Salmon, ACL Knee Surgery:
Week 2 against Little Rock may have been a turning point in both the Cardinals season and Williams career.
Leading 10-0 and rolling against the high powered Toads, Salmon has his left leg rolled. He was carted off the field and would not return to the game. Later he would be diagnosed with a ACL tear. The Cardinals momentum died at that moment, the Toads rolling off 20 straight points and the Cardinals falling into a season long tailspin. In the ensuing weeks after his injury, words were exchanged both face to face and thru the media between Cardinals QB Mark McMurray and Salmon, mainly surrounding the rehab that Salmon had choosen. Salmons decision to return home to Boston to rehab rather than stay in St. Louis rubbed alot of his teamates the wrong way. Currently a rift exists between Salmon and McMurray, while Center Ike Duran has come out in Salmons favor. When the Cardinals signed Center Timothy Green and said that the Center position was an open competition, many saw it as an indictment by the Cardinals front office that Duran was backing the wrong horse in this race. Salmon has progressed very slowly from his injury and does not project into the Cardinals plans this season. He is still however collecting a cool $2 Million dollars for whatever it is he's doing up in Boston.

[Suicane]

Roster Moves, Late Free Agency 3 & 4
----------------------------
Released: RT Jason King:
Jason is a player who's athletic talent has never quite matched up to his numbers on the field. Obtained last year from Fresno for a 3rd round pick, it was hoped that Jason would help anchor the Offensive Line and provide protection for Mark McMurray. Unfortunately for all parties, that didn't happen. Following a season in which he allowed 7 sacks and had a 28% blocking percentage, the team has elected to release Jason and go in a different direction. In doing so the Cardinals save nearly $4 Million dollars in cap room each of the next 2 seasons. We are sure that Jason will catch on with another team and wish him the best in his future.

Signed: RT Morgan Lamar, 2 Years, $2.6 Million:
Morgan is a pass blocking specialist who will be playing with his 6 team in 6 years. A perrenial backup, Morgan joins us with high hopes of seeing the most playing time he has in his career. In 8 games with Lawrence last season he gave up just 1 sack in 111 plays. The coaching staff is enthused to have another dominant protector on the roster.

Signed: RB Wilford Cook, 2 Years, $1.4 Million:
Wilford is a 7 year pro who spent his first 4 IFL seasons with Wichita before playing last season in Lansing. Wilford is a powerfull back with some slipperyness that has translated into a YPC average over 4.0 in 348 career carries. He is also a special teams beast and we are excited to have him in our backfield and on our team.

[Suicane]

Roster Moves, Late Free Agency 3 & 4
----------------------------
Released: RT Jason King:
Jason is a player who's athletic talent has never quite matched up to his numbers on the field. Obtained last year from Fresno for a 3rd round pick, it was hoped that Jason would help anchor the Offensive Line and provide protection for Mark McMurray. Unfortunately for all parties, that didn't happen. Following a season in which he allowed 7 sacks and had a 28% blocking percentage, the team has elected to release Jason and go in a different direction. In doing so the Cardinals save nearly $4 Million dollars in cap room each of the next 2 seasons. We are sure that Jason will catch on with another team and wish him the best in his future.

Signed: RT Morgan Lamar, 2 Years, $2.6 Million:
Morgan is a pass blocking specialist who will be playing with his 6 team in 6 years. A perrenial backup, Morgan joins us with high hopes of seeing the most playing time he has in his career. In 8 games with Lawrence last season he gave up just 1 sack in 111 plays. The coaching staff is enthused to have another dominant protector on the roster.

Signed: RB Wilford Cook, 2 Years, $1.4 Million:
Wilford is a 7 year pro who spent his first 4 IFL seasons with Wichita before playing last season in Lansing. Wilford is a powerfull back with some slipperyness that has translated into a YPC average over 4.0 in 348 career carries. He is also a special teams beast and we are excited to have him in our backfield and on our team.