Post by MGB01 on Nov 24, 2005 2:23:33 GMT -5
LOS ANGELES -- The most famous Kareem in Los Angeles area sports since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (not the former UCLA running back who played for the Xtreme in 2003), Xtreme wideout Kareem Kelly, will be playing for the hometown Xtreme for two more years after signing an extension Wednesday. Kelly would have been a free agent after the 2006 season.
Kelly set an Xtreme franchise high in 2005 with 75 receptions for 1038 yards and four touchdowns, besting Jeremaine Copeland's 71 catches in 2001.
“We have a great opportunity to get back to the playoffs and hopefully go to the X-Bowl this year and I want to do everything in my power to help us get back to there" Kelly said. “We were so close against Vegas, I think we can do it again. I'm pleased with what we've done in the offseason. We showed we were a force last year, we can do more this year"
The Xtreme were 7-5 in the regular season in 2005, but made it back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the league's inaugural title in 2001. In the playoff game against eventual X-Bowl champion Las Vegas, the Xtreme for the majority of the game until a last-second touchdown pass from Jason Gesser to Na Brown stole away a 31-30 victory.
Kelly, the Xtreme's second-round pick in 2003 out of USC, caught 52 passes for 778 yards and three touchdowns. In 2004, he caught 49 passes for 828 yards and five touchdowns.
“Kareem has become an excellent player in our league. In fact I would say he's right there with (Jeremaine) Copeland, (Latef) Grim, and (onetime former USC teammate Mike) Williams among the best here in the league” said Xtreme head coach Bob Toledo, who ironically lost his job at UCLA in part because of Kelly. “With him, Sultan (McCullough), Woody (Dantzler), and now Antoine Harris, we should be one of the most prolific offenses in the league.”
The Xtreme have added Harris, whom Kelly played with at USC in 1999 and 2000, as well as defensive end Tim Cheatwood and offensive tackle Steve Edwards. The Xtreme also replaced the retired Sean Dawkins with reliable veteran Darnay Scott, who led the XFL South champion Bolts in 2005 with 47 catches and is three years removed from 93 catches with the Vipers in 2003 as they shocked the league by winning the XFL West and going to the X-Bowl.
"I like the move," said Kelly. "Darnay's been in the pros, the NFL then here, for a long time. He'll be good for our offense. I can't wait for the season to get here."
The Xtreme's 2006 season will begin right where 2005 ended, in Las Vegas as they open with their Western division rivals for the third straight season on May 27.
Kelly set an Xtreme franchise high in 2005 with 75 receptions for 1038 yards and four touchdowns, besting Jeremaine Copeland's 71 catches in 2001.
“We have a great opportunity to get back to the playoffs and hopefully go to the X-Bowl this year and I want to do everything in my power to help us get back to there" Kelly said. “We were so close against Vegas, I think we can do it again. I'm pleased with what we've done in the offseason. We showed we were a force last year, we can do more this year"
The Xtreme were 7-5 in the regular season in 2005, but made it back to the playoffs for the first time since winning the league's inaugural title in 2001. In the playoff game against eventual X-Bowl champion Las Vegas, the Xtreme for the majority of the game until a last-second touchdown pass from Jason Gesser to Na Brown stole away a 31-30 victory.
Kelly, the Xtreme's second-round pick in 2003 out of USC, caught 52 passes for 778 yards and three touchdowns. In 2004, he caught 49 passes for 828 yards and five touchdowns.
“Kareem has become an excellent player in our league. In fact I would say he's right there with (Jeremaine) Copeland, (Latef) Grim, and (onetime former USC teammate Mike) Williams among the best here in the league” said Xtreme head coach Bob Toledo, who ironically lost his job at UCLA in part because of Kelly. “With him, Sultan (McCullough), Woody (Dantzler), and now Antoine Harris, we should be one of the most prolific offenses in the league.”
The Xtreme have added Harris, whom Kelly played with at USC in 1999 and 2000, as well as defensive end Tim Cheatwood and offensive tackle Steve Edwards. The Xtreme also replaced the retired Sean Dawkins with reliable veteran Darnay Scott, who led the XFL South champion Bolts in 2005 with 47 catches and is three years removed from 93 catches with the Vipers in 2003 as they shocked the league by winning the XFL West and going to the X-Bowl.
"I like the move," said Kelly. "Darnay's been in the pros, the NFL then here, for a long time. He'll be good for our offense. I can't wait for the season to get here."
The Xtreme's 2006 season will begin right where 2005 ended, in Las Vegas as they open with their Western division rivals for the third straight season on May 27.