Heading into the 2006 season the Talons Opening Day roster won't look that much different than last seasons teams. The team was able to come out of preseason with no injuries- a huge plus for this team who needs to start the season right with a win against division rival El Paso!

On Offense little will change, [b11b5ae5]QB Donnie Lowe[/b11b5ae5] is the starter again this year. He should be much improved in his 2nd season and he should continue to quickly improve with a smart and savy vet behind him to help him learn the game. [b11b5ae5]QB Rene Huss[/b11b5ae5] was brought in during the preseason to help Lowe develop and also be the backup incase Lowe were to go down with an injury. For the 3rd string QB the Talons drafted [b11b5ae5]Billy Joe Floyd[/b11b5ae5], Floyd is a solid young QB who with time to develop might be a starter some day in this league. He should be the # 2 QB next season, and he will also be holding kicks some this season. At RB the fans will be very happy to see [b11b5ae5]Butch Fulton[/b11b5ae5] back in the backfield, he is coming off of his injury and he looks just as good as he did before the injury. However, the Talons brought in another former first round pick, and 1,000 yard back in [b11b5ae5]Monty Boyd[/b11b5ae5] just incase Fulton has a set back. Boyd will also provide the team with another back, in those situation when Fulton gets tired. Opening up holes for the two this year will once again be [b11b5ae5]FB George Welton[/b11b5ae5], Welton is considered one of the best FBs in the league, and he is very well rounded as he catches the ball and runs with it very well. If the coaching staff gets their way Fulton will get about 20 carries a game, Boyd will get around 10, and Welton will get close to 5.

Catching the ball this year in Tulsa are some new faces to go along with the familiar ones. At TE, [b11b5ae5]Daniel Cone[/b11b5ae5] was traded for from Albany. Cone is considered one of the top 3 TEs in the league, he will provide Lowe with a consistant big target in the middle, something the Talons have been missing for a few years. Behind Cone on the depth chart is 2nd year player [b11b5ae5]William Wellins[/b11b5ae5]- Wellins is a very solid TE and would have been the starter if Cone had not been brought in. Expect to see Wellins in on a lot of 2 TE sets, and even some situations near the goal line where his great recieving skills will be helpfull to the young QB. At SE,[b11b5ae5] Harvey Ross[/b11b5ae5] was finally cut, and rookie 2nd round pick [b11b5ae5]Ty Coffin[/b11b5ae5] will take his place as the #5 reciever, Coffin has been nothing short of a dissapointment so far and if he doesn't improve this year he might be out of a job pretty soon. The starting SE spot is still held by [b11b5ae5]Charles Lindberg[/b11b5ae5] who hopes to bounce back from his down year. Lindberg signed an extension with the team that will keep him in Tulsa for the next 6 seasons which should finish his career there. At FL we had 3 players fighting for the starting spot, after training camp and the preseason the coaching staff has decided to name rookie 1st round pick [b11b5ae5]Donald Booker[/b11b5ae5] the opening day starter with former 1st round pick [b11b5ae5]Daniel Campbell[/b11b5ae5] as the # 3 WR. That leaves [b11b5ae5]George Thornberry[/b11b5ae5] to be the # 4 WR, or trade bait if another team expresses interest in trading for him. The WR corps seems to be greatly improved over last season and will certainly help Lowe in his development to become one of the elite QBs of the league.

On the offensive line no changes will be made, the entire unit will be starting together for the 4th season in a row. [b11b5ae5]Gary Wales[/b11b5ae5] will be the center [b11b5ae5]David Crew and Rupert Heyer[/b11b5ae5] will be the starting Gaurds one again. [b11b5ae5]David Brinkley and Daryl Wilk[/b11b5ae5] will once again be the bookends. Swinford, Fassnacht and Bosworth will be the backups on the offensive line.

Special Teams- [b11b5ae5]Earle Cabral[/b11b5ae5] will be the punter once again, kicking the ball will again be [b11b5ae5]Joseph Dunford[/b11b5ae5]. The rookie WRs Booker and Coffin will be the return men this season.

Coming soon- The Talons Defensive Opening Day Roster Report!!!

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