C.R. Titans trim roster in advance of season opener

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Titans submitted eight post-training camp roster cuts to the Indoor Football League on Monday as the squad readies itself for Saturday's season opener with the Iowa Barnstormers at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Among the eight players given their release was former Iowa Hawkeyes receiver Jordan Cotton, who was vying for a spot amongst a crowded collection of experienced IFL receivers - Bryan Pray, J.J. Hayes, Carl Sims and Willie Carter - who all return from last season.

Cotton helped his case with a 54-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Titans' 30-26 exhibition victory over Nebraska on Feb. 13, but was unable to produce enough of an impact in the receiver rotation to make the team.

Another former Hawkeye, defensive back B.J. Lowery, was impressive in camp and earned a roster spot. Cedar Rapids Coach Mark Stoute feels it may only be a matter of time before another league comes calling for Lowery.

'B.J.'s doing great,” Stoute said. 'B.J. right now has had a very, very good camp. He's another kid that I expect to do very, very well in this league. I don't expect him to be in this league for too long, either.”

The other seven players released on Monday are receivers Rob Brown, Regginald Lewis, Jr. and Brian Richards, running back Trent McGuire, and defensive back Lewis Toler, defensive lineman Mackenzie Jacobs and linebacker Jerryan Harris.

The roster limit is 40 players during camp and 25 during the regular season.

'Since the end of last year, we've probably looked at 350 players,” Stoute said. 'We spent a little more time this year when we were recruiting players, looking at players and what programs they came out of. What is the driving force behind that program? Looking for kids that were hungry for an opportunity versus kids that would kind of take it for granted.”

The surprise of camp was the emergence of defensive back Arius Wright. Listed at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds out of Western Kentucky, Wright has impressed the staff with his quick, physical style and is high on smarts and instinct.

'He's probably one of the best indoor safeties that I've ever seen, and I've been at it for 20 years,” Stoute said. 'For a young kid, he has all the tools.”

Some of the other newcomers that stood out during camp include former Auburn defensive back Demetruce McNeal, Wright's college teammate Tyree Robinson (defensive back), former Wisconsin/Pittsburgh running back Zach Brown and linebacker Keith Holliday.

'We're a young team, but we're very disciplined and very focused and have our eye on the prize,” Stoute said. 'I think maybe this is the year that we get over that hump and get to that United Bowl, and hopefully we get it to be here in Cedar Rapids.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com