From Tri-Cities Fever
KENNEWICK, Wash. -- Tri-Cities Fever coach Adam Shackleford continued to whittle down his training camp roster this week, releasing four players Sunday. There are currently 30 on the roster that needs to be trimmed to 25 by Feb. 27, two days before the Fever's 2013 season-opening game at Colorado. "We are having to make some hard decisions," said Shackleford now in his fourth season. "There is a lot of talent out here, and we hope we just make the right decisions."
The Fever can carry 21 players on their active roster, and four on the practice squad. The two-time defending Intense Conference champions released three wide receivers and a defensive lineman in the latest round of cuts. Shackleford said after talking to the players he released, he spoke with the players still on the roster, telling them what it is going to take to make the opening-night roster. "I talked to all the rookies, but I talked to the veterans as well," he said. "Some of the guys that have been here aren't guaranteed a spot just because of that. I let them know that."
Among the players released were receivers Demario Barber, Shawn Bayes, and Sam Roberson. Defensive lineman Kevin Cyrille was also released. Shackleford said of the last five positions to be cut, he is still looking at making moves at receiver and offensive/defensive line.
The Fever signed back receiver Ed Berry on Monday. Berry played in 14 games last season, recording 51 catches for 623 yards and 11 touchdowns. Berry has been recovering from surgery on his foot, and was recently cleared to start practicing.
Shackleford says no decision has been made on a starting quarterback. He said that Kasey Peters and Dante Warren continue to develop and impress. "We are going to go with the best guy," Shackleford said. "We just don't know who that is yet."
