Sammons added to Wolves' roster
The Manchester Wolves' roster received a boost earlier this week when wide receiver Emery Sammons rejoined the team and reported to training camp.
Sammons was assigned to the Wolves by the arenafootball2 league office on Friday and terms of the deal were not released.
"Having Emery back is obviously great for our football team," Manchester coach Danton Barto said. "He is a very good football player who had a very good year for us last year. Not only is he a great wide receiver, but he is a great special teams player who does a lot of things for us and all of the little things that make a difference. There is a sense of relief having a guy like him back for this season."
Sammons, who played his collegiate ball at Norfolk State, was an immediate impact player with his explosive speed and sure hands during his rookie season in 2008. Despite missing one game to injury and working with four different starting quarterbacks throughout the regular season, he caught 85 passes for 1,156 yards and scored 21 touchdowns to finish as the Wolves second leading receiver. He also returned 30 kickoffs for 554 yards and returned two missed field goals for 42 yards.
During the playoff run that took the Wolves to the American Conference title game, Sammons was the leading receiver with 26 receptions for 280 yards and five touchdowns.
Sammons, Bradley Chavez and Steven Savoy, set a Wolves team record as the first trio of receivers to each gain more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season. With Savoy also back for this season, returning starting quarterback James Pinkney will have two of his favorite targets running routes downfield.
"I'm pretty excited to be coming back and I'm looking forward to my second year with the team," Sammons said. "I think this is really going to be a good year for us. Last year, James, Steve and I were all new, but now we're veterans with experience who really know each other and Coach Barto's system. Things will be moving a little faster than last year."
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WOLVES NOTEBOOK: Because this is the 10th anniversary season of the af2, the league named its Top 10 All-Time list in several categories and many of the former and current Wolves were voted in by their peers and the media and fans across the country. Danton Barto was named the fourth best head coach in history, Brian Jones made it as the fourth best quarterback, Jarrail Jackson and J.J. McElvey were listed as the seventh and 10th best wide receivers, William "Roc" Haith tied for the 10th best defensive back, and Jackson and Steve Gonzalez were named the second and sixth best kick returners, respectively....The Wolves are currently holding two-a-day practices at The Hampshire Dome in Milford and the sessions are open to the public.... There will be an intra-squad scrimmage and Fan Fest for season ticket holders on March 21, and Barto will make his final cuts for the 2009 roster after the scrimmage. ... The new Lady Wolf Pack dance team will debut at the Fan Fest ...The Wolves open their season on the road against East Division foe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on March 27...Tickets for the Wolves home opener on The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena on April 18 are being offered for $10 in honor of the af2's 10th Anniversary season. The $10 tickets are good for the best available seat in the arena.
