Power Add Offensive and Defensive Depth
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- A former NFL prospect and a former PIAA prospect have left the Pittsburgh Power with under half a dozen roster spots to fill before training camp begins.
Head coach Chris Siegfried tells 93-7 The Fan that wide receiver Perry Baker has joined the second-year Arena Football League team after trying out with them in Southpointe two weeks ago.
In addition, the team announced defensive lineman Callahan Bright has also been added to its preseason roster, which now stands unofficially at 30 deep. AFL rules allow teams to carry a maximum of 35 into camp.
The 25-year-old Baker, a Fairmont State alumnus, was an undrafted rookie free agent who trained with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this year. His older brother, Dallas Baker, enjoyed a brief stint with the Steelers from 2007 to 2009 and starred under Siegfried with the AFL's Jacksonville Sharks in 2010 before joining the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the CFL.
Perry, who is also the nephew of former Pro Bowl receiver Wes Chandler, is the sixth receiver the Power have assigned to their 2012 squad. That group includes Mike Washington, Lonnell DeWalt, P.J. Berry, Carlos Suggs, and Darius Passmore.
Bright (6'3", 340 lbs.) will be entering his second year of AFL action after splitting last season between the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo. He recorded five solo tackles and three partial tackles with each team.
"Callahan is a bull. He has the tools to be an elite lineman in this league," Siegfried said.
When the 24-year-old Bryn Mawr native starred for District 1 Class AAA Harriton, he was thought to be one of the elite linemen in the country. Bright was ranked No. 14 overall nationally and No. 2 among Class of '05 defensive tackles by Rivals.com before committing to Florida State. However, academic issues prevented him from honoring that commitment, and he transferred to NCAA Division II Shaw University in North Carolina.
Power defensive coordinator Derek Stingley coached the VooDoo last season, so it would stand to reason if he had something to do with Bright's arrival. More importantly, though, Bright was once thought to have solid bull-rushing skills. In arena football, linemen are not allowed to stunt or twist when rushing the quarterback, so those skills could come in handy.
Bright is the sixth lineman to join the Power prior to training camp, a group that includes Neil Purvis, Dominie Pittman, Terrance Taylor, Jada Brown, and Aaron Harris.
NOTES: Our earlier report about possible expanded television coverage for the Power in 2012 has been confirmed by the team...the only two games in 2012 not to be televised are the Sat., May 12 game at San Antonio, and the Sun., June 24 game at Philadelphia...in addition to four NFL Network broadcasts (two at home and two away), WPCW-TV/The CW will televise seven home games and five road contests...the Fri., Apr. 6 game versus Iowa and the Fri., Apr. 20 game at New Orleans will air on tape delay the following Saturday night at 7:30...check out the Power's official website for the complete broadcast schedule.
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