Thursday, Sep. 25, 2008

Fever gets started signing new players next week

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

KENNEWICK -- Richard Davis is officially on the Tri-Cities Fever payroll, and he is hoping a few players will join him.

The new coach of the Fever had his contract approved by the arenafootball2 league office earlier this week and was given player contracts Tuesday.

Until Oct. 1, he can only hand out contracts to players who were with the Fever last season. After watching all the video he could wrangle up from last year's 4-12 team, a handful of them have sparked his interest.

Whether the players want to return to the Tri-Cities is up to them.

Topping Davis' list is receiver/linebacker Phil Goodman, who did not play the final three games of the season because of legal troubles.

Goodman was arrested leaving practice in July on a fugitive from justice warrant because of a probation violation in California.

Davis said Goodman has assured him that he has cleaned up his record and is ready to start anew in Tri-Cities next season.

Goodman played his rookie season in 2006 for Davis in Stockton where he caught 91 passes for more than 1,200 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was also third on the team in tackles and second in sacks.

Davis said Goodman already has a contract. He is just waiting for Goodman to sign it.

"I believe Phil when he tells me this is where he wants to play," Davis said. "He's a good kid."

Goodman is one of six players whom Davis has highlighted that he would like to return next season.

Davis is hoping receiver and fan favorite J.R. Thomas will return for a third season with the Fever. He also wants back Kyle Hooper, who was one of the top kickers in the league last season. Lineman Andy Endemann, nose tackle Chuck Jones and defensive end Johnny Jackson are three more players Davis intends on handing a contract to in the coming days.

"Those are the guys that really stood out to me so far," Davis said. "But I am still going over a few things and some other guys could fit into that mix."

Davis said most of those players will receive a contract in the next day or so, but has not put a timeline on how fast he expects them back in his mailbox.

"That's not my style," Davis said. "That's never worked out well for me.

I want to make sure this is where they want to play and I don't want them to jump to any decisions."

Starting next Wednesday, Davis can start signing new players.

-- Since Davis has been approved by the league he expects to get his assistant coaches contracts this week.

-- The af2 announced this week that it will expand to Toledo, Ohio, in 2010. The league is also expected to make announcements regarding expansion and contraction for the 2009 season in the coming weeks.