DEMONS ACQUIRE WRIGHT FROM LAS VEGAS IN THREE-TEAM DEAL SAN FRANCISCO PARTS WITH OFFENSIVE LINEMEN HUNT AND GOINS TO NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY, WAIVES TAILBACK DUNBAR IN OTHER ROSTER MOVE
News Courtesy of the San Francisco Demons
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (March 5, 2001) – Toby Wright, a six-year NFL defensive back, will join the XFL’s San Francisco Demons this week after the team consummated a three-team, four-player trade Monday.
Wright started three seasons with St. Louis during 1995-97 and led the Rams and was fifth in the NFL in interceptions with six in 1995. He played with the NFC club through the 1998 season and was property of the Washington Redskins during the 1999 campaign.
The Demons sent offensive linemen Robert Hunt and Harvey Goins to New York/New Jersey for offensive tackle Tony Berti, who then was moved on to Las Vegas in exchange for Wright.
San Francisco sought Wright’s services because the Demons are carrying just six defensive backs and safety Pete Destefano has been sidelined the last two weeks with a concussion suffered at Memphis late last month.
In another roster move, the Demons waived tailback Vaughn Dunbar, their No. 1 draft pick in last October’s initial XFL draft. Dunbar started the first four weeks for San Francisco, but had gained just 29 yards in 25 carries this season.
Wright (5-11, 212) will start practicing with the Demons Wednesday morning when they begin preparation for Sunday’s home contest with New York/New Jersey at 1:00 p.m. PST at Pacific Bell Park in a game, ironically, where Hunt and Goins could return to play one more time.
Hunt suffered a dislocated finger on his right hand during training camp and didn’t start in the season opener, but took over at left guard in Week Two and had opened the Demons’ last four contests. Goins has been active just twice this season and has seen limited action in a back-up role.
Wright, 30, suffered a season-ending knee injury with three games remaining in the 1997 season and played in other four games after that, three early in 1998 with St. Louis before re-injuring his knee and one with the Redskins in 1999. He was a territorial selection by Las Vegas last October, but has not played for the Outlaws yet this season.
Wright is a 1993 graduate of Nebraska and was a second-round selection, the 49th overall pick, by St. Louis in the 1994 NFL draft. He scored three touchdowns in his NFL career, two on fumble recoveries and another on a 19-yard interception return during the 1996 season. He recorded 304 tackles and two quarterback sacks while with the Rams.
