January 22, 2001
The Birmingham Thunderbolts made eight player moves Monday
to trim the roster to the XFL-mandated total of 56 to start
the final week of training camp. The Bolts waived five players,
placed two on injured reserve and one on the reserve-left
squad list.
Waived were defensive backs Anthony Derricks and Billy Gustin,
offensive guard Alonzo Gilbert, defensive tackle Alton Weaver
and quarterback Mark Washington. Derricks and Gustin were
Birminghams 14th and 15th round draft picks, respectively.
Gilbert and Weaver were taken in the supplemental draft, while
Washington was a 35th round pick.
Nobody likes this part of the business, but it is a business
and tough decisions have to be made, head coach Gerry DiNardo
said. None of these players are bad. You just cant keep
them all. There are some who are just a little better.
The Bolts placed linebacker Jamie Heiner (calf) and center
Justin Burroughs (back) on the injured reserve list. Neither
player will be eligible to return the active roster for four
weeks. Heiner was taken from the XFL player pool prior to
the second mini-camp in December, while Burroughs was Birminghams
fifth-round selection.
Linebacker Jimmy Sprotte, an 11th round pick, was placed on
the reserve-left squad list.
Long Day
It was probably a good thing the Bolts had Sunday off because
Monday was one of the longest days for the players since reporting
to camp Jan.1. After two practices, the players spent Monday
evening shooting video portraits and player personality pieces
to be used on NBC, UPN and TNN broadcasts this season.
The morning practice consisted on all phases of the kicking
game, while the afternoon workout returned to a more conventional
schedule with individual periods, pass protection/rush, seven-on-seven
and a team period. Immediately following the afternoon practice,
the television networks had an eight-hour block reserved to
video the players.
Enforcers Wednesday
Birmingham closes its preseason scrimmage schedule Wednesday
by joining the Chicago Enforcers for a session at Showalter
Field in Winter Park. The Bolts and the Enforcers hook up
at 2 p.m. Orlando and New York/New Jersey are scheduled to
meet later that day. The workouts are open to the media and
public.
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