Ex-Patriot, two Marylanders are signed by Baltimore team
Baltimore’s new Arena Football League team announced Monday that it has signed its first players, including a member of the New England Patriots team that won a Super Bowl championship in 2015 and two Maryland natives.
Defensive back Alfonzo Dennard, who was a seventh-round draft pick in 2012 for the Patriots, played for them for three seasons, including 2015, when New England won the Super Bowl. In 29 games, he had 86 tackles, five interceptions and one touchdown. He earned All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors playing for Nebraska.
Defensive back Travis Hawkins of Rockville has spent the past two seasons playing in the Canadian Football League. Hawkins, who finished his college career at Delaware after playing for Maryland for two years, had signed as a free agent with the Patriots before playing in the CFL.
Offensive lineman Leon Brown of Riverdale attended Alabama and played on its 2013 national championship team. He had signed with the Ravens before the 2015 season.
“It is important for us to build this roster with a good balance of veteran and rookie talent,” coach Omarr Smith said in a Omarr Smith said his team will try to have “a good balance of veteran and rookie talent.” statement. “We like the fact that these players have come from successful programs either in college or in the NFL. We believe that these players are not only good athletes, but quality men and expect great things from them on and off the field.”
Offensive linemen Kody Afusia and Ian Joseph, who both played for the L.A. KISS last season, were also assigned to Baltimore.
The team is expected to announce its name and unveil its uniforms Jan. 25. It will hold its home opener against the Tampa Bay Storm on May 7 at Royal Farms Arena.