The Shreveport Pride today announced their cuts that would bring their roster down to 53. The following players were sent packing:

QB Marshall Branch - Has been with the Pride for 2 years, but loses his job to a clip-board holder/kick holder, J.J. Hockenhull, acquired through free agency.

FB Desmond Turner - A long shot to make the team behind studs Wisdom and Renn. He was hoping to make the practice squad, but didn't quite have enough.

TE/LS Ron Ashe - Ronnie has been with the Pride for two years as well. His skills as a long snapper are excellent, however, he had no skills to back up his long snapping ability. Ronnie felt the nudge toward the door when the Pride drafted C/LS Dexter Bleeck in the 6th round this year. He then felt the nudge out the door as the Pride signed TE Mark Jackson late in preseason.

DE Junior Newton - Junior knew it was only a matter of time before the Pride gave him his walking papers. Having not played in any of the preseason games, Junior could see it coming a mile away.

DT Sammy Shannon - The Pride had high hopes for this undrafted free agent, but an injury kept Sammy out of most of the preseason action. In his stead, Edwin Thomas stepped up his play and stole the last DT position from Sammy.

OLB Kim Brooks - Kim was signed in the midst of the preseason and missed training camp altogether. He had alot to learn and just couldn't pick things up quick enough. To ensure depth in the LB corps, the Pride signed veteran MLB Eric Samuel, who picked up the system much faster.

The Pride wishes these players the best of luck and invite them to tryout with the Pride again next season. If injuries pop up, some of these guys just might get a call. We hope that this tribute to them will not be their epitaph.

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Deep South Division Champions
2006, 2009-10, 2019, 2023-24, 2027, 2031-32, 2034-35, 2040, 2044, 2046-47, 2051-53, 2055-56, 2058-62
Eastern Conference Champions
2009, 2031, 2055
CFL Champions
2031, 2055
Hall of Fame
Joshua Mask, Douglas Hartman, Carl Bradford, Leland Wellins, Wally Wooden (#80), Brantley Gilmore (#9)