OAKLAND VIPERS UPDATE 2004:

OAKLAND VIPERS SIGN LOTS OF LOCAL TALENT IN OFF SEASON

The Vipers have had a busy pre-season preparing for 2004, trying to improve on last years 10-2 NFC West championship season. Draft picks were made to improve an already strong team with more depth and along the way acquire some outstanding top-level athletes.

Defense

The Vipers lose this year our 2 time Defensive Co MVP in Mario Gant who leaves for college but have signed some new talent to try and fill his shoes. LB’s  #40 Marlin Kelly of the Minor League San Jose Jaguars, #36 Charles Cooley from San Jose St. and #42 Joe Cokes from Fresno St. are some of the Linebackers with big jobs ahead of them, but they have the skill to complete the mission.

At the Defensive line the Vipers are happy to have back 2 founder players and starters who took a year off due to injuries. DT #72 Kevin Doss – East bay Buccaneers minor league, and DE #13 Sylvester (JR) Wiggins (Vipers all time sack leader)

Adding to the D Line is the signing of DT #93 DeAndre Jones from Chabot College, DE #44 Mark Griffin from National Champion Fresno St to name a few. Among the returning players is DE #52 Antoine Perkins, DT #97 Dwayne Jackson – Fremont High, Skyline DE #98 Lamont Smith,  Berkeley High De #92 Kevin Johnson,  and Street Ball Specialist #99 DE Johnny Seyller.

The Vipers look to improve on last years BLACK –N- BLUE Defense that averaged 6 turnovers a game last year and scored 8 TD’s.