With most of thier starters returning the Tulsa Talons looked to make a few key singing that would help the team and hopefully allow them to fight for a playoff spot. Through two days of free agency the Talons have already brought in 5 new players.

Michael Freeny, FL
Micahel Freeny is a big, fast WR the Talons were realy looking for. He is listed at 6'0, 207. Last season Freeny played with Shreveport where he started 11 games and caught 38 passes for 430 yards. Freeny is more of a big play reciever who can get downfield. Freeny has already been penciled in as the starter ahead of George Thornberry. Freeny will wear the #80 this season.

Tobias Bernstien, DT
Bernstien spent most of last season sitting on the bench in Portland. Bernstien is a big strong DT who is very good at stopping the run. Tobias is a 10 year vet who is listed at 6'2, 320. Right now the Talons are hoping Benstien will be able to start for them, but rumors are the team will look to draft a DT early who would see a lot of playing time and eventually take over for Bernstien.

Desmond Ward, SS
Demond spent last season as a backup in Denver where he saw very limited playing time. The Talons were able to sign him to a small 2 year deal, but we are hoping he will be the starter on opening day. During training camp he will compete with last years starter Neal Wilbur for that job. At 6'0, 210 he is the type of player Tulsa was looking for to help the team git bigger and more physical. Ward is a ball-hawk and should get a few INTs this season also.

Earle Cabral, P
The best punter in the CFL comes to Tulsa. Tulsa offered Cabral a 3 year deal that he could not refuse. Since Tulsa had one of the worst offenses last season they figured if they are going to be punting a lot again they might as well be the best at it. Cabral was All-Everything punter last season with a 44.4 YPP average and 53 punts inside the opponents 20 yard line. He is a very important signing for Tulsa.

Claude Matsumoto, K
Matsumoto is not the best kicker in the league, but he is very solid and is a definate upgrade over Browder who became expendible when Cabral was signed for the kick off duties also. Matsumoto was a perfect 37 of 37 on extra points and 31 of 37 on FG attempts. His long last season was also 57 yards. He is not a huge signing but every little upgrade will help.

So far the team is very happy with how free agency has gone. The team hopes the fans see that we are making every effort to improve the team over last years dismal 3-13 record. There are still a few key free agents the team is going after, and it is likely to see around 3-5 more players brought in before the draft. The team is also in heavy negotiations with a lot of their current players and Restricted Free Agents, mainly QB Corey Durant. The team is hoping to sign him to a 3 year deal. The Talons also took the opportunity to trade down to the # 4 spot in the draft where they hope to fill a key hole.

_________________


Home of Marvin "Muddy Waters" Raffo