Wolves name Pinkney starting QB
The Manchester Wolves have named returning veteran James Pinkney as the team's starting quarterback entering the 2009 season.
Pinkney, who broke his leg in a first-round playoff victory last season, was locked in a spirited training camp battle with rookie Mike Potts from William and Mary. While both quarterbacks impressed in camp with their strong arms, leadership, and work ethic, Wolves head coach Danton Barto said Monday that he would stick with his proven veteran.
Pinkney, who started 12 of 16 regular-season games and completed 220 of 342 pass attempts with 59 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2008, will call the signals when the Wolves open their 2009 season Frdiay against the Pioneers in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The Pioneers are the defending East Division champions.
"Wilkes-Barre is a very tough game right out of the shoot," Barto said. "We've got our work cut out for us right away and it's important to get off to a good start. This game is going to be like a prize fight. They'll take some jabs and we'll take some jabs. It's important to keep it close. We've got to answer the bell every round."
Barto said the decision about the team's final cuts were difficult, but the coaching staff decided on the team's final roster by the league deadline Monday afternoon.
Wide receivers Steven Savoy and Emery Sammons, defensive backs TC Myers and Al Phillips, linebacker/fullback Dwan Wilson, defensive linemen Marvin Wright and David Tash, all join Pinkney as returning starters from last year's team. Defensive specialist Rob Green, who played for the Wolves in two previous seasons, has returned to the secondary after a stint in the af2 coaching ranks, and kicker Chris Koepplin, who filled in for the injured Connor McCormick last year and holds the record for longest field goal (53) in franchise history, takes over the kicking duties.
Promising rookies on the roster include Deyon Williams, Brandon Isaac, Antwan Stewart, Aryan Barto (no relation to the coach), Howard Gilmore, and Martel Van Zant. Rory Thomas, Matt King, and Xavier Lawson-Kennedy are newcomers who have previous af2 experience and will lend size and muscle on the line.
The Wolves will practice this week and depart for Pennsylvania on Thursday morning in preparation for the season opener against the Pioneers at the Wachovia Center (7:30 p.m. kickoff).
