Empire sign WR Wheat; DL Quinn, Release K Klecker, DL Duster

[David]

3.2.16 -

The Spokane Empire are on a Bye Week, but the team made several roster moves in preparation for the team's March 12 game against the Billings Wolves. 

Wide receiver Alex Wheat Jr. (6'5'', 220 lbs) has been activated from the team's Refuse to Report List. The rookie receiver out of Coastal Carolina University (South Carolina) re-joins the Empire after participating in workouts for teams in the Canadian Football League. He joins a stacked wide receiving corps which includes veterans Samuel Charles, Carl Sims, Justin Helwege, JJ Hayes and rookie Darryl Thompson.


WR Alex Wheat Jr. (image credit: GO CCU Sports)

Prior to signing with the Empire, Wheat Jr. recently finished his college career at Coastal Carolina, recording 17 catches for 170 yards. He transferred to Coastal Carolina after graduating from Utah State University in 2014. Wheat Jr. played his sophomore and junior seasons as a member of the Aggies. He spent his freshman season at Palomar Junior College (California) prior to transferring to Utah State. In his lone season with Palomar, he hauled in 47 receptions for 854 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Southern Conference Honors.

Head Coach Adam Shackleford praised Wheat Jr's physical skills when the team signed him back in November. In the press release, Shackleford said, "Alex Wheat Jr. is a very gifted big body wide receiver, His ability to get off press coverage and go up and get the ball at the highest point makes him an instant goal line threat.”

The Empire also signed defensive lineman Dillon Quinn to the roster.


DL Dillon Quinn (Image credit: USA Today Sports)

Quinn (6'7'', 295 lbs) is a rookie out of Boston College. He played a total of 24 games for the Eagles in four seasons. A redshirt during his freshman season, Quinn's first season saw him in action for 10 games, totaling 11 tackles (4 solo). During his sophomore season, Quinn started 8 of 10 games, recording 21 total tackles (10 solo) and 2.0 sacks. He missed his junior due to a foot injury and departed from Boston College during his senior season for personal reasons.

“Dillon is a big, athletic defensive lineman that’s going to add even more depth to our front,” said Shackleford in the team's press release. “We’re excited to add him to our roster and get him in the mix over the next few weeks.”

To make space on the roster, the Empire released defensive lineman Dominique Duster and kicker Dan Kleckner. 

Duster (6'0'', 300 lbs) signed with the Empire during the offseason, staying with Spokane after starting 3 games for the Shock last season. Duster saw action with the Empire in the season opener against Tri-Cities, recording 1 tackle and 1 fumble recovery. He was not on the team's active roster last weekend against Wichita Falls.

Kleckner (5'9'', 180 lbs), a veteran kicker who played from 2010-2011 with the Kent/Seattle Predators and 2012 with the Everett Raptors, signed with the Empire before training camp. He struggled mightily last weekend against Wichita Falls, only converting on 2 out of 5 extra point attempts. Through two games, Kleckner was 7 out of 14 on extra points (50%).

- DKH 

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[DiamondThief]

So do you think they will sign another kicker or have someone step in for kickoffs while going for two each time?

[David]

Mar 2, 2016 19:47:17 GMT -8 DiamondThief said:

So do you think they will sign another kicker or have someone step in for kickoffs while going for two each time?

Since they've got a Bye week before they play Billings, I would think they'd spend the next week trying out kickers and bringing one onto the roster. 

Funny thing is, my father was curious about why they'd release Kleckner and not have a spare kicker on the roster right away. He figured that they must have had someone in mind if they were so willing to depart with him. 

In my opinion, I don't believe the Empire would let a position player do the kickoffs and go for 2 point conversions. Unless the kicker is injured, I've never known an outdoor or arena league team choose not to have a kicker on the roster.