Wolves welcome Pinkney's return
Quarterback James Pinkney, who came off the bench in 2008 and guided the Manchester Wolves into the arenafootball2 playoffs, will return to the team this season, the Wolves announced Sunday.
"Getting James back for this organization is huge," Wolves coach Danton Barto said. "He is a player who led us into the playoffs last year as a rookie. I expect him to have a huge year for us."
Pinkney took over after an injury to Brian Jones in the fifth week of the season, and completed 220-of-342 passes for 2,877 yards and 59 touchdowns. He was intercepted 12 times. Pinkney completed 24-of-39 passes and tossed four touchdown passes in a first-round playoff victory against South Georgia.
Pinkney is one of several veterans returning to the Wolves. That group includes wide receiver Steven Savoy, defensive back Carlton Brown, defensive back Al Phillips and linebacker Dwan Wilson.
"Carlton led us in interceptions (five) last year," Barto said. "He is still learning the game and I expect him to make huge strides this year. Al is a player who joined us late in the season and was a big part of our success. I believe that Al is going to have a monster year for us. Dwan was having a monster year for us before a foot injury slowed him down. I believe that Dwan will be a 10-plus sack guy from the linebacker position, which is huge."
On offense, Savoy will be joined in the receiving corps by rookie Deyon Williams, who was a playmaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference (University of Virginia) during his collegiate career.
"Steve had a great year for us but was not 100 percent during the playoff run," Barto said. "If you look at his stats, he would have had 1,500 yards receiving if he hadn't missed any games but for a freak injury at Green Bay (in the second week of the regular season that sidelined him for four games). Deyon is a guy who made a lot of plays for Virginia and has performed at a high level in college."
Other rookies who could make significant contributions in 2009 include offensive lineman Charles Manu, and defensive backs Antwan Stewart and Martel Vanzant. Other returning veterans are defensive lineman Larry McSwain, fullback/linebacker Chad Wengert, offensive/defensive lineman Marvin Wright, and defensive specialist Rob Green, who played for the Wolves several seasons ago and is returning to the field after a stint in the af2 coaching ranks.
The Wolves reached the American Conference title game last season, which marked the most successful season in the franchise's history. The Wolves will begin training camp on March 7 at the Hampshire Dome in Milford and will open the regular season March 27 with a road game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
"I am very excited about all of the guys we have signed for this upcoming year," Barto said. "This is one of the best years I have had recruiting players and we have a great group of veterans returning."
