GRAND RAPIDS – After starting the 2008 campaign with losses to the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats and the defending Central Division champion Chicago Rush, the Grand Rapids Rampage have made several changes to their roster for this week’s game against the Kansas City Brigade. The Rampage added four new players to their active roster, signed two to their practice squad, and waived three others.
Joining the Grand Rapids active roster this week will be defensive back Ronald “Rock” Dillon (Memphis, Tenn.), defensive lineman Jason Holman (Midlothian, Va.), fullback Whitney Bell (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) and offensive lineman Josh Sewell (Lincoln, Neb.).
Dillon began the season on Grand Rapids’ practice squad, and played under current Rampage defensive coordinator Ron Selesky with the arenafootball2’s Alabama Steeldogs last year. The 6-0, 210-pound defensive back was a two-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference First Team member (2003-04) at Alabama State University.
Holman took part in training camp with the Colorado Crush earlier this year after spending time on the team’s practice squad at the end of the 2007 season. The 6-2, 308-pound nose tackle was an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association First Team selection at Winston Salem State University in 2005.
Bell arrives from the Chicago Rush’s practice squad, and boasts two years (2005-06) of Arena Football experience with the af2’s Green Bay Blizzard. The 6-2, 270-pound Ferris State University product also participated in training camp with the Rampage in 2006.
Sewell, a former sixth-round (190th overall) draft pick of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, will make his first foray into Arena Football with the Rampage. A 6-2, 295-pound University of Nebraska football and weight lifting standout, he was recently selected in the first round of the All American Football League draft before the league postponed its inaugural season.
Grand Rapids also added two players to its practice squad, signing offensive lineman Reggie Jiles (Birmingham, Ala.) and fullback Alan Krutulis (Warren County, N.J.). Jiles played three games in the Arena Football League last season with the Georgia Force and the Dallas Desperados, and took part in the Desperados’ training camp this spring. Meanwhile, Krutulis returns to the Rampage practice squad after starting in the team’s loss to Chicago last week.
Finally, the Rampage waived linebacker Brenden Givan (Birmingham, Ala.), defensive lineman Gabriel Gonzalez (Elizabeth, N.J.) and center Larry Turner, Jr. (Dayton, Ohio.).
The Rampage will make their first road appearance of the season this Monday night when they take on the 0-2 Brigade in Kansas City’s new Sprint Center. Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. EDT.
