Rudi and Vick Are Coming To The Farm!

(Olympia, WA) - Rudi and Vick are coming to the farm. The Inland Empire Fightin' Combines selected 16 players on Sunday afternoon in the 2004 Capital Fantasy Football League draft including first round selection RB Rudi Johnson and fourth rounder QB Michael Vick.

The Combines spent their first three picks on runningbacks loading up on a normally weak position for the team. RB's Kevan Barlow and T.J. Duckett return to the organization following promising 2003 campaigns with the Mall Rats.

GM Brandon Sparks was very pleased with the draft. "I was very happy to load up on some quality runningbacks early and then to get one of the top quarterbacks a little later."

"Seeing Vick drop to the fourth round was great," Sparks continued. "He is really the key to this season. If he is healthy we are the best team in the league. If not, then we have some serious problems."

With a glut of talent at wide receiver the Combines were able to wait until the fifth round before selecting Andre Johnson, Jerry Porter and Donte Stallworth in consecutive rounds.

"Those are three quality, impressive receivers who should really turn it on this season," commented Sparks. "We didn't see a reason to panic and select a receiver early. There were plenty of guys to go around."

The reaction back in Lind was of extreme jubilation. Owner Emil Sackmann gave a large crowd of townspeople gathered at the Lion's Club Arena updates as the draft proceeded. The selection of Vick sent whoops and hollers throughout the crowd.

"This is a great day for Lind and for Eastern Washington," Sackmann said after the draft. "The Inland Empire will give those city folks one hell of a run this season, you mark my words!"