FIREBIRDS TRADE QB LOOTS.(SPORTS)

Byline: MARK SINGELAIS Staff writer

The Albany Firebirds know that in Mike Pawlawski, they have the best quarterback in the Arena Football League. And the job rookie Raymond Philyaw has done in the preseason gives the Firebirds confidence he can fill the backup role.

That left Jeff Loots, Albany's second-string quarterback the past two years, as the odd-man out. So, the Firebirds traded Loots to the expansion Carolina Cobras on Monday, just before the deadline for Arena teams to cut down to their 24-man regular-season rosters.

In return, the Firebirds reacquired wide receiver/defensive back Montrell Williams, who the team let go to Carolina in last …