Archie brings his experience from Legends

The big-play receiver left Canton for more opportunity with Thunder.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Chris Archie was ready to kick the football habit when he got a call for an offer.
It wasn't from the Thunder, but the Legends -- the Canton Legends.
That's a dirty name around these parts, but Chris Archie's recent seasons with the American Indoor Football Association team made his services all the more valuable when Mahoning Valley's arenafootball2 team was in the market for a proven wide receiver.
"Before I went to Canton, I was going to be done with football," the 6-4, 215-pound Detroit native said. "Then I got a phone call from Legends coach Bobby Olive. He needed some guys."
Archie said he made the AIFL all-star team and Canton won the 2006 championship, but he never got the advancement opportunity he was expecting."
This year, after five games with the Legends, Archie, 27, said he was ready to move on.
"I thought about returning to the af2 where I can get an opportunity to get back to either an NFL camp or the AFL. [Thunder] coach] Mike Hold heard that I was ready to leave Canton and he called and said he needed a big-play receiver.
"I like what he had to say. I liked his offense and the fact that he brought in an experienced quarterback in Glen [Gauntt] That pretty much made up my mind to come up here."
Late arrival, but ready
Although Chris is the Thunder's newest player -- he arrived three days before Mahoning Valley broke camp March 24 -- Archie is in mid-season condition.
"I'm banged up and still feeling bruises," Archie said of his weeks with the Legends, who had a 4-1 record, "but I'm well-conditioned and in game-shape. That's definitely a plus."
Archie said that the AIFL, a step beneath the af2, had four players in the Arena Football League and three others who actually signed NFL contracts.
"We were fortunate to get some really good players."
Archie, who played three years at the University of Cincinnati, said his relationship with Gauntt is developing.
"I like the offense and it's pretty easy to pick up. So I think it'll be a pretty smooth transition for me."
Archie was in camp with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002, but got hurt.
"I've been playing arena ball ever since."
He spent an af2 season with the Cincinnati Swarm, then two years with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs.
One of Mahoning Valley's opponents is the old Swarm organization -- the Cincinnati Jungle Kats. The Thunder and Jungle Kats play twice, including a April 21 game at the Chevy Centre.
"I might get into a little trash talking with a couple old Swarm guys," Archie said.
Ready when needed
Although he won't be a regular on defense, Chris could play in emergency situations.
His biggest game moment in af2 was an interception while playing with the Yard Dawgs.
"They put me in as a defensive back in a really close game. With a couple minutes left and other team threatening to score, I picked off a pass and finished the game."
Chris foresees himself being with the Thunder the rest of the season.
"If I am fortunate enough to possibly get an NFL workout or invitation while here, that would be great. But my expectation is to be here with this team for the rest of the season."
Archie has a sister in college and a brother in the Marine Corps, but Chris is obviously the recipient of his father's genes.
"He had an opportunity to play minor league baseball, but turned it down to raise a family," Chris said. "I get most of my athleticism from him."
With a 40-inch vertical leap, Archie is a serious threat as a receiver and he won't deny it.
Believes he can help
"I should pose a lot of matchup problems for smaller DBs throughout the league. I think I can bring a lot of things to help us win in the Mahoning Valley."
However, at his age, the clock is definitely ticking against Chris.
"That's why I'm in a sense of urgency right now. That's why I made the decision to leave Canton and come up here to get things moving forward, like right away. I'm in a hurry to make some pretty big moves.
"This is, without a doubt, a much better place, much better exposure. This league is highly scouted by Arena 1 as well as the NFL. That's why I made the decision to come up here and play."
Archie believes the Thunder could achieve some success in its first year.
"I think we've got a pretty good core unit of experienced players. With that core, we've got an opportunity to at least make the playoffs and, potentially, make it to the championship game."