Empire Adds Six Players on the Third Day of Free Agency
Thursday March 7, 2019
Two More Players Return to the Empire Roster from 2018
ALBANY- The Albany Empire announce that six players have been assigned to the team roster on the third day of free agency. Per League and team rules, terms are not disclosed. Of the six players assigned, two of which were on the roster during the team’s inaugural season. The free agency signing period for the Arena Football League began on Monday, March 4.
“Our focus the entire offseason has been with one goal in mind; to win a championship,” said Les Moss, Assistant Head Coach and General Manager of the Albany Empire. “In order to achieve that goal, our task as a staff is to make sure we have great competition for every final roster spot. We believe in our process of identifying both AFL veteran and rookie players. We are just getting started.”
Mykel Benson, Fullback
Making his way to the Empire late in 2018, Mykel “Boom Boom” Benson made an immediate impact in the Empire offense. In just three regular season games, Benson racked up 85 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. In the two playoff games for Albany, Benson carried the ball an additional 16 times for 43 yards and one touchdown. The veteran has amassed double digit rushing touchdowns in six seasons with his career high of 23 coming in 2017 with the Philadelphia Soul. Benson can’t wait to get back to the Capital Region and playing a full season with the Empire.
Ryan Cave, Offensive Line
Entering his second season with the Empire, Ryan Cave was simply a wall at the center position last season. Earning First Team All-Arena for the first time in his career, Cave was the centerpiece of an offensive line that surrendered a mere four sacks all of last season. “Big Cave” was a crucial asset to the offensive line of an Empire team that boasted the League’s best offense. The Hampton University graduate reached the ArenaBowl in 2017 with the Tampa Bay Storm and is looking forward to being part of the Empire and helping the team reach a championship in 2019. Throughout the Empire’s inaugural season, Cave made multiple community appearances and is looking forward to continuing his community efforts through the duration of his second year with the team.
Christian Love, Defensive Back
Another rookie defensive back added to the Empire, Christian Love played his final two collegiate years at Henderson State University. During his career with the Reddies, Love racked up 72 total tackles and two interceptions and was named to both the All-Conference and All-American teams. Love recently spent time with the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football League.
Quinn McQueary, Quarterback
Hailing from a different Manhattan than New Yorkers are used to, Quinn McQueary is from and played his college football in Montana at Montana Tech University. Breaking out in 2016, McQueary passed for 3,021 yards and 26 touchdowns, while leading the Conference in pass efficiency on his way to being named Second Team All-Conference. Recently, McQueary was drafted by the Arizona Hotshots in the third round of the AAF draft. He is looking forward to his first taste of indoor football and can’t wait to be playing in Albany.
Brad Muhammad, Defensive Back
Brad Muhammad joins the Empire as another rookie to bolster the defensive backfield. Muhammad played his college ball at Florida International University, where as a senior, played in 13 games and racked up 53 total tackles, four interceptions, and one defensive touchdown. Muhammad is looking forward to coming to Albany and showcasing his talent on Transfinder Field in from of the team’s strong fanbase.
Monte Taylor, Defensive Line/MAC Linebacker
Hailing from California, Monte Taylor transferred to the University of Cincinnati after showcasing his talents at El Camino Community College. Playing defensive line, Taylor was a member of a Bearcats team that won the Liberty Bowl in 2011, defeating Vanderbilt by a score of 31-24. Following college, Taylor had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Seattle Seahawks. After his time with the Seahawks, Taylor was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. In 2017, Taylor spent time in the Spring League with Fort Valley.
Fans can secure season tickets for the Albany Empire by calling 518-533-2200, by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com, or by stopping by the Empire office located in the Times Union Center. A limited number of great seats are still available! Want to bring your organization to a game, fundraise, or perform on the field? Group experiences are now on sale. Call 518-533-2200 for additional information.
Albany Empire 2019 Season Presented By CDPHP.
About Albany Empire
Season memberships for the 2019 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Albany Empire sales department at (518) 533-2200 or by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/TheAlbanyEmpire and Twitter at twitter.com/Albany_Empire.
About the Arena Football League
The Arena Football League enters its 32nd season in 2019. Since its inception in 1987, the AFL showcases a fast-paced, exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets. With the addition of two new teams in Atlantic City, N.J., and Columbus, O.H., the League totals six teams for 2019: Albany, Atlantic City, Columbus, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Each team will play 12 regular-season games in 2019. One can find the League can on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook using the handle @OfficialAFL.
About Times Union Center
Albany’s Times Union Center, formerly Pepsi Arena, continues to have great success. Renamed in January 2007, the Times Union Center is “Upstate New York’s Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility. Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world’s largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 26 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.
About Transfinder
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, municipalities and adult care facilities. Transfinder, an Inc. magazine “fastest-growing company” for the past eleven straight years, has offices in Austin, Texas, and Shanghai, China. The software company develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. http://transfinder.com