This has not been the Tri-Cities Fever's year, and the evidence kept coming Thursday.
Coach Pat O'Hara signed receiver J.R. Thomas to a contract in the morning, hoping the veteran wide receiver could help his team's ailing offense.
Thomas, who was the arenafootball2 league's rookie of the year in 2004 and was named one of the 10 best receivers in league history, had been practicing with the team for the past two weeks, getting ready to make a comeback.
That idea was derailed when the league office rejected Thomas' contract later in the afternoon for unspecified reasons, according to O'Hara. This ensures Thomas will not play for the Fever on Saturday night against Stockton at Toyota Center.
"It's pretty disappointing," O'Hara said.
The news forced O'Hara to re-shuffle his receivers for Saturday night. Brandon Copeland and Finas Rabb are expected to start, along with Tommy Devereaux, who has been activated from the injured reserve list.
Chris Hemphill, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, also will likely play Saturday.
Notes
Quarterback Colin Drafts will make his first start for the Fever since 2007. Drafts' first af2 start was July 28, 2007 against Boise, a 52-42 Fever loss.
-- The Fever signed lineman Clinton Barley (6-foot-3, 285 pounds), a rookie from Western Illinois.
-- Offensive lineman Ta'ase Jennings is expected to return this week after missing last week with an injury. Defensive back Ray Little has also been activated.
-- The Fever released defensive back Brett Bowers and receiver Johnny Walker.
-- Defensive lineman Chuck Jones (knee) has been placed on the practice squad and will not play this week.
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Fever opens season Feb. 25 at home
Fever opens season Feb. 25 at home
KENNEWICK -- The Tri-Cities Fever will get another shot with the 2011 Indoor Football League champion Sioux Falls Storm.
Not once, but twice during the 2012 season.
The 2012 IFL schedule was released Monday, and for the Fever, there are plenty of highlights.
Fever coach busy moving players
Fever coach busy moving players
KENNEWICK -- Adam Shackleford is already getting excited for the 2012 Indoor Football League season.
No matter that kickoff for the opener won't be until near the end of February.
The Tri-Cities Fever coach has been busy trying to put together a roster for next season, and he likes what he sees so far.
Killeen re-signs with Fever
Killeen re-signs with Fever
The Tri-Cities Fever has added some talent to its defense for the upcoming 2012 Indoor Football League season.
Defensive lineman Jake Killeen has re-signed with the Fever. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder had 36 tackles, ranking seventh on the team, in eight regular-season games last year. He also had three tackles-for-loss and one interception. Killeen played in all four playoff games, recording six tackles.
The Fever also signed former Iowa State defensive lineman Bailey Johnson. Johnson (6-3, 280) started eight games for the Cyclones in 2010, recording 20 tackles, five tackles-for-losses and one forced fumble.
Shackleford builds Fever roster to 22
Shackleford builds Fever roster to 22
Tri-Cities Fever coach Adam Shackleford has an interesting problem.
Because his team made it all the way to the Indoor Football League championship last season -- losing 37-10 to the Sioux Falls Storm -- he's finding it quite easy to sign players for the upcoming season.
Too easy, in fact. He's had to slow things down, making sure he's bringing in the right guys.
Fever adds 7 players
Fever adds 7 players
KENNEWICK -- When training camp for the Tri-Cities Fever opens in February, head coach Adam Shackleford has a good idea who is going to show up.
He also is a realist and knows some of the players he has signed will get an offer from a Canadian Football League team, or an Arena Football League squad.
So he's looking to put together a roster with depth -- one where someone steps in seamlessly for another player who leaves.
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