Georgia Force announces 2004 roster

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Posted 7:06AM on Tuesday, February 3, 2004

ATLANTA - The Georgia Force, of the Arena Football League, announced their 23-player roster that will take the field on Sunday, February 8th when the Force host the New York Dragons at 3:00 p.m. in the Arena at Gwinnett Center. League rules allow teams to carry a roster limit of 24 players during the regular season. For every game 20 of the 24 players will be declared active and four players will be deemed inactive. The AFL's mandatory cut down date to reach the regular season 24-man roster is today, Monday, February 2nd. Also, February 2nd marks the beginning of the signing period for practice squad players. Each team may carry up to four players on their practice squad. This is in addition to their 24-man roster. "Since we began training camp with 37 players on January 17th, we have been looking for the right chemistry of guys that will give us the best chance to win week-in and week-out," said Head Coach Marty Lowe. "We have a lot of new faces this season that will be wearing Georgia Force jerseys. I feel really good about the group of players we have. There is a lot of talent here and more importantly there is depth at every position. I think our fans are going to be very happy with the results these players can achieve." Among those on the Force's 2004 roster are newcomers WR/LB Dialleo Burks, WR/LB Andy McCullough and WR/DB Dameon Porter. Burks and McCullough both join the Force this season coming as free agents from the Dallas Desperados. Last season, both players made up two-thirds of the Desperados offensive attack that finished the 2003 season ranked first in total offense and fifth in scoring. In 2003, Burks and McCullough each recorded over 95+ receptions, 1,200+ receiving yards and 25+ touchdowns. A six-year AFL veteran, Porter has established himself as one of the league's premiere two-way players. He was named the AFL's Ironman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year after the 2001 season and is a two-time first-team all-Arena selection. In other roster moves the Force placed Defensive Specialist Cliff Green and Wide Receiver/ Defensive Back Nick Ward on Injured Reserve. One of the most competitive battles in training camp this year was the kicker position. Former University of Georgia and 11-year NFL veteran kicker Kevin Butler worked out with the Force as he began his efforts in coming back to the playing field. The Force will retain six-year AFL veteran kicker Steve McLaughlin, who currently ranks among the Top 10 in AFL history in career points by a kicker, most one point PAT's made and attempted and most three-point field goals made and attempted. "Kevin Butler has not been placed on the Force roster at this time but is still under consideration by the team," said Virgil Williams, Force Owner. "Both Kevin and the Force have issues to resolve before a decision can be made on his exact future with the Force. We definitely plan to have him as part of the Force; as a matter of fact he already serves on the Georgia Force Advisory Board. His additional duties including the possibility, as a player will be worked out in the weeks ahead. Arena Football League rosters are changed on a frequent basis and allow for total flexibility for the future." The Georgia Force will open their third season of play in the AFL when they kickoff the 2004 season on Sunday, February 8th at 3:00 p.m. against the New York Dragons in the Arena at Gwinnett Center. This season, the Force will look to build on their record eight wins and second round playoff appearance in 2003. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its 2nd season on NBC in 2004. Season tickets and flex packs are on sale and can be purchased with a credit card by calling (770) 813-7610 or visit www.georgiaforce.com. Force individual game tickets are available by calling TicketMaster at (404) 249-6400 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or by purchase at the Gwinnett Civic Center Box Office.