Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

SportsLink

Hansen, Sheffield added to roster

Spokane’s muddled quarterback situation is clearing up.

The Shock, who lost quarterbacks Bill Stull and Kyle Rowley to injuries in Saturday’s win over Dallas, brought in three quarterbacks for tryouts and Casey Hansen and Steven Sheffield have been added to the roster. Hansen was Spokane’s No. 2 quarterback in 2009. Sheffield, an arena football rookie, played at Texas Tech.

Head coach Rob Keefe hasn’t announced a starter for Friday’s game against Tampa Bay.

It was initially thought Stull, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee, might return in a week or two, but he was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. After Friday’s game, Spokane visits Kansas City (2-7) and then has a bye week before entertaining Philadelphia (3-6). Stull could return for Spokane’s home game against Chicago on June 18.

Rowley, who is on injured reserve with a sprained AC joint, hopes to return later in the regular season.

“Casey proved himself during the 2009 season and again this week in practice,” Keefe said. “On short notice, it is great to get a QB who already has arena experience. He has cannon for an arm and he is extremely accurate.”

Sheffieldcompleted 69 percent of his passes for 1,578 yards during his Texas Tech career.

“If it weren’t for the NFL lockout, a player like Steve Sheffield would not be available to us,” Keefe said. “He has a huge upside and I’m excited to teach him the arena game.”

Receiver Chas Gessner, who filled in as an emergency quarterback last Saturday, was released.



Jim Meehan
Jim Meehan joined The Spokesman-Review in 1990. Jim is currently a reporter for the Sports Desk and covers Gonzaga University basketball, Spokane Empire football, college volleyball and golf.

Follow Jim online:






Looking for a Grip on Sports?

Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online. You can find a collection of these columns here.