ORLANDO – (22 January 2001) – The Birmingham Thunderbolts made eight player moves Monday to trim the roster to the XFL-mandated total of 56 to start the final week of training camp. The Bolts waived five players, placed two on injured reserve and one on the reserve-left squad list.
Waived were defensive backs Anthony Derricks and Billy Gustin, offensive guard Alonzo Gilbert, defensive tackle Alton Weaver and quarterback Mark Washington. Derricks and Gustin were Birmingham’s 14th and 15th round draft picks, respectively. Gilbert and Weaver were taken in the supplemental draft, while Washington was a 35th round pick.
“Nobody likes this part of the business, but it is a business and tough decisions have to be made,” head coach Gerry DiNardo said. “None of these players are bad. You just can’t keep them all. There are some who are just a little better.”
The Bolts placed linebacker Jamie Heiner (calf) and center Justin Burroughs (back) on the injured reserve list. Neither player will be eligible to return the active roster for four weeks. Heiner was taken from the XFL player pool prior to the second mini-camp in December, while Burroughs was Birmingham’s fifth-round selection.
Linebacker Jimmy Sprotte, an 11th round pick, was placed on the reserve-left squad list.
Long Day
It was probably a good thing the Bolts had Sunday off because Monday was one of the longest days for the players since reporting to camp Jan.1. After two practices, the players spent Monday evening shooting video portraits and player personality pieces to be used on NBC, UPN and TNN broadcasts this season.
The morning practice consisted on all phases of the kicking game, while the afternoon workout returned to a more conventional schedule with individual periods, pass protection/rush, seven-on-seven and a team period. Immediately following the afternoon practice, the television networks had an eight-hour block reserved to video the players.
Enforcers Wednesday
Birmingham closes its preseason scrimmage schedule Wednesday by joining the Chicago Enforcers for a session at Showalter Field in Winter Park. The Bolts and the Enforcers hook up at 2 p.m. Orlando and New York/New Jersey are scheduled to meet later that day. The workouts are open to the media and public.
