Combines Sign Alexander and Burleson

(Lind, WA) - The Inland Empire Fightin' Combines signed two players on Wednesday morning, WR Nate Burleson and TE Courtney Anderson. Both players will immediately step into the starting lineup for week seven but are expected to be on the bench in week eight. The Combines are without five starters in week seven due to bye weeks.

Burleson is coming off his best game of the season. He caught six passes for 134 yards and could match those totals with WR Randy Moss ailing. The second year Minnesota Viking is replacing struggling Jerry Porter in the Combine's starting lineup for week seven and has a chance to compete with Dante' Stallworth for a starting position in week eight. The Combine's number one receiver is solid with Andre Johnson excelling in his second year, but the number two WR and flex position have been a constant struggle.

"Nobody has done a good job there yet," said coach Brandon Sparks during his weekly radio program. "Porter and Stallworth have both been huge disappointments and I can't trust either one to do the job. It's time to let somebody else try to earn my trust."

Courtney Anderson is quickly becoming one of the preferred targets for Raiders QB Kerry Collins. However, all that really means is that he'll probably catch three passes for thirty yards. Anderson gets the start only because Eric Johnson is off with a bye. In week eight he will definitely be riding the pine.

To make room on the roster for Burleson and Alexander, the Combines released WR Marty Booker and TE Dallas Clark. Booker had 123 yards in week five but followed that game up with only one reception for 10 yards in week six. Clark had only two receptions and 68 yards on the season.