OAKLAND VIPERS UPDATE 2004:
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OAKLAND
VIPERS SIGN LOTS OF LOCAL TALENT IN OFF SEASON
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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. Offense
One of the Vipers first grabs this year was a great one. We had the luck of getting former St. Louis Ram Offensive linemen and local Cal and Skyline High alumni, # 56 John Romero, who with his valuable NFL experience brings knowledge and skill to the O Line. Also at O line was the pick up of local Center, #65 Robert Casey Roloson, an Alameda high and Laney player who made his way to the Vipers via Eastern Oregon University. This year we get back Viper O line coach and back-up OT and Cal alumni #75,76, and 89 Don Cotter who took a coaching position in 2003 with the Vipers brother team in Norway. He is the 4th Viper to make the plane trip across the pond to play abroad in Norway. Adding to the offense is Local Alameda High, Laney, and Cal Poly Fullback #34 Dan Nyugen, a great addition to the stable of excellent Tailbacks as in #2 Jamal Zepherin – Vipers 2002, 2003, - leading rusher, and of course #4 John Fisher – 2003 Overall outstanding performance anywhere on the field, and #16 George Nelson, who until an injury in week 4 was the Vipers leading scorer. We are lucky enough to have all of our Tailbacks coming back and include some fresh blood in #31 Chris Washington, a hard runner from the Minor League RC 49ers. Our receiving crew has increased in talent dramatically this year. While we lose starter Adrian Cooper to College, we gain speed, depth and size in several players. #22 Nick Iano coming off two straight Arena 2 seasons has opted for the Vipers this year instead of Arena, to try and get back to the big field (NFL, CFL) and out of the dome, by hopefully having a stellar season with the Vipers. He can flat outrun most defensive backs, and is a deadly return man. #12 Mackie Mcduffy, a youngster out of Emery high, is the Vipers answer to Randy Moss. At 6’4 he can go up and grab just about anything, and has great speed to turn short plays into big ones. Viper 2003 leading receiver TE #32 Mike Hamilton is back and more focused than ever, as well as Upper Iowa’s #5 Reggie Hunt, who up until an injury in week 4 was the Vipers leading receiver. Also making the list and bringing experience to the receivers is former Sioux City Bandit (Arena 2) and Glenville St. player #18 Corey Jackson. Along with them comes some bright young skilled talent in #80 Maurice Leggett, from Chabot and #15 Prince Smalls from DeAnza. Last but not least at QB the Vipers are pleased to have back for his 2nd season, #11 Scott Burke, The Vipers 2003 Offensive player of the year, and adding to the offensive punch, was the signing of #0 QB Chris Dixon, an Outstanding Richmond High player that just finished up a great career at Humboldt St. and has decided to play with the Vipers while he has tryouts with NFL teams. With these new weapons to add to the arsenal, the Vipers have the Venom to attack their opponents from all angles. |