3/6/2008 12:01:00 AM


Force put Crocker on IR, waive Holmes

By Ben Beitzel
Staff Writer

FLOWERY BRANCH - Georgia Force leading tackler David Crocker will miss at least the next four weeks on injured reserve after a Week 1 back injury.

Crocker, who had game-high 11 tackles and an interception in the opener against Dallas, was carried off the field in the fourth quarter Saturday with what was described as a lower back bruise. Arena Football League rules require Crocker to miss at least four games on IR and the team expects him to be out 4-6 weeks.

Crocker is replaced on the roster by practice squad member Jacoby Shepherd.

The Force also waived starting wide receiver Brent Holmes and signed Willis Marshall. Holmes led the Force with eight catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns against Dallas. The 5-foot-9, 194-pound Marshall, who was with the Force through much of training camp, gives Georgia a more versatile player at receiver and on special teams, head coach Doug Plank said.

"It is not the Brent didn't have a good game. He had a lot of receptions and had a lot of yards," Plank said. "But we have such a small squad that every player on the team is asked to do other things, specifically play special teams. We feel the Willis can play offense and also give us much more of a boost on special teams. I felt like that change was necessary."

Holmes did fumble a missed field goal, but the Force recovered it in the end zone.

Last season, Marshall had 66 receptions for 747 years and 12 touchdowns in 16 games with Dallas.

No disrespect to Plank but too me this sounds like politics in the finest covering Jim's ass

What a line of bullshit the man was good enough for opening day now he isn't good enough doesn't bring enough to the table they knew this weeks ago.You had both of them in camp.

IF it's true that this is due to an attitude problem on Holmes part then I'm guessing that they hoped it would change if he was given the chance by making the cuts and having a good game. I'm guessing the coaches did not see this change take place. This is the only thing that I can think of that would make the coaching staff make such a drastic move.

I think you're probably pretty cluse, gr8, but I wouldn't presume the issue was attitude, as it may well have been performance. Yes, he did have some flashy plays, but as pointed out, he was also limited in effectiveness.