While acknowledging there were tough decisions to make, Colorado Crush coach Mike Dailey announced his team’s roster for the upcoming Arena Football League season, and there were some surprises.
The Crush opens its season Sunday at 1 p.m. against Grand Rapids in the Pepsi Center, but wide receivers Andy McCullough and Willis Marshall and receiver/defensive back Ahmad Hawkins won’t be on the roster.
The three popular players were among players cut Monday in moves that reduced the receiver corps that had been considered the strength of the team.
“They were excellent players and all three had been good to us and made contributions in a positive way,” Dailey said. “They not only were good players, but good two-way players.”
Marshall, McCullough and Hawkins were factors in the Crush’s AFL championship two seasons ago.
But Dailey said changes in the rules for the upcoming season and salary-cap issues were factors.
The AFL has adopted free substitution rules, diminishing the value of some two-way players. The rule change allows some players to play only offense and some others to play only defense.
“We were able to keep our front people pretty much intact,” Dailey said. “We don’t have to play with inexperience anywhere on our lines.”
The Crush roster has 19 players, five short of the 24 maximum.
Dailey said it was too early to say if the Crush could make more changes after scanning the roster cuts of other teams.
Quarterback Jose Davis, who was attempting a comeback with the Crush after a year’s absence, also was cut, leaving rookie Brandon Kirsch out of Purdue to back up John Dutton.
To reach the 19 players, the Crush activated receiver/defensive back Robert Redd from injured reserve and placed lineman Brett Huyser on injured reserve. Defensive back Jason Hamron and receiver Chauncey Stovall were placed on recallable waivers.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
Colorado Crush roster
(No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt.)
10 Jason Ball K 5-8 192
90 Dustin Barno DL 6-2 263
30 Quinn Dorsey DL 6-4 269
43 Anthony Dunn L 6-3 257
8 John Dutton QB 6-4 225
4 Rashad Floyd DB 5-10 180
1 Damian Harrell WR 6-3 182
66 J. Hollenbeck OL 6-4 320
2 Delvin Hughley DB 5-11 215
5 B. Kirsch QB 6-2 213
96 K.M. Brown OL 6-2 310
48 Saul Patu FB 6-3 260
33 John Peaua LB 6-2 265
6 Brad Pyatt WR 5-11 187
80 Willie Quinnie WR 6-2 176
3 Robert Redd WR 5-10 195
27 Tony Scott DB 5-11 215
54 Chris Snyder L 6-2 255
67 Chris Watton OL 6-3 291
