Talons sign SEC lineman

TULSA, OK-- In order to strengthen the line, Tulsa Talons head coach Mitch Allner reached into the SEC in the signing of former Kentucky University lineman Justin Jefferies to the 2011 squad.

Jeffries, the son of Curtis Jeffries who played for the Cincinnati Bengals was a 4-year starter at Kentucky. As a Freshman, Jeffries was named to the SEC All-Freshman team by league coaches. Over the next 3 seasons he was part of an offensive line that set a school record for points in a season and a line that ranked nationally in sacks given up in a season (13 total sacks-4th in the nation in 2008).

 In 2010, Jeffries attended the San Diego Chargers camp as an undrafted free agent and made it to the last cut.

“Justin is the type of player we have been working to get this off-season. He is a young guy with a ton of upside, who was just in a NFL camp and is without a doubt an NFL talent. Playing against the competition he faced in the SEC, I’m sure his talents are going to transfer over to the arena game really well,” said Head Coach Mitch Allner.

Arena Football Friday returns to the NFL Network

After expanding to an 18-game schedule and adding four teams, the Arena Football League is on NFL Network for the second consecutive season. NFL Network will broadcast more than 20 Arena Football League games on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. CT starting March 11, 2011.

“The announcers and crew did a great job last season bringing the exciting arena atmosphere and game to fans all over the country,” Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said, “and we look forward to another successful season on NFL Network.” The AFL’s “Arena Football Friday” schedule on NFL Network features 23 games including 20 regular season contests.

NFL Network will also showcase two playoff games and ArenaBowl XXIV on August 12, 2011. “Arena Football Friday games provide fans with high-scoring, fast-paced action on NFL Network,” said Lawrence Randall, director of programming, NFL Network. “We look forward to our second season of live games beginning with two new teams owned by former NFL stars and concluding with the playoffs and Arena Bowl.”

The 24th season of the AFL will kick off with in-state rivals and expansion teams, Ron Jaworski’s Philadelphia Soul at Lynn Swann’s Pittsburgh Power, on NFL Network on Friday, March 11, 2011. Due to the primetime 2011 NFL Draft, the Orlando Predators at Jacksonville Sharks game will be played on Saturday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. CT on NFL Network.

Log onto arenafootball.com for the full slate of Arena Football Friday games on the NFL Network; Cox Cable channel 252 in Tulsa. The Talons are scheduled to appears on the NFL Network on May 13th when they face the New Orleans VooDoo.

Of course, the Talons would like you to join them to experience an arena game in person at the amazing BOK Center. The first home game is on March 28th, 2011 against the Arizona Rattlers. Talons season tickets are on sale for as low as $90. Contact the Talons office at 294-1000 to see how you can get 9 games for the price of 8.

2011 Tulsa Talons Home Schedule

3/28 Arizona 7pm

4/16 San Jose 7pm

4/23 Iowa 7pm

5/7 Chicago 7pm

5/21 Kansas City 7pm

6/11 Utah 7pm

6/25 Dallas 7pm

7/9 Tampa Bay 7pm

7/16 Orlando 7pm