Post by djh0722 on Aug 26, 2008 8:53:55 GMT -5
BALTIMORE MARINERS SIGN AIFA’S TOP KICKER
Baltimore, MD…The Baltimore Mariners have begun laying the foundation for next season with the signing of four impact players who will be instrumental in the team’s success as they “Set Sail for the Ring in 2009”.
The Mariners have signed kicker J.R. Cipra for the 2009 season. Cipra is entering his sixth professional football season, and has established his self as one of the premier kickers in indoor football, leading the AIFL and the AIFA in scoring in both 2005 and 2008. In 2006, Cipra helped lead the Canton Legends to the organization’s first AIFL Championship. Coming off a spectacular 2008 campaign, where he scored an average of 18 points a game with the Erie RiverRats, Cipra will have an immediate impact on the Mariners in 2009. “J.R. is one of the best kickers in the arena/indoor game, stated Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson. He has a tremendous leg and will be a difference maker in our special teams next season. This is a big signing for us and I know that J.R. is excited about playing closer to home and in a Mariners uniform.” Cipra (5’ 8”, 160) played college football at Ohio Northern University where he was named a Division III All-American and set twelve school kicking records including most field goals in a game, season, and career.
In another big signing, Baltimore’s Richard Johnson will be returning to the Mariners in 2009. This will be Johnson’s fifth year of professional football at many various levels. Johnson (5’ 11”, 205) was an impact player on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for Baltimore. “Richard was possibly our best all-around athlete last season, added Coach Simpson. He has the ability to play both receiver and defensive back at a very high level and his leadership skills will be a big asset to the team going into 2009.” Richard is Milford Mill Academy of Baltimore graduate and also earned High School All-American honors. Following Milford Mill, Johnson went on to play college football at Virginia Tech and was a member of the Hokies 2004 championship team.
The Mariners will also return two of their top receivers from the 2008 season, Scorpio Brown (6’ 4”, 230) and Jamaal Stokes (6’ 2”, 180). Scorpio, a product out of Morehouse State, played in the Mariners final five games last season and caught 21 passes for 227 yards and eight touchdowns. Jamaal, who played his collegiate ball at Alabama State, added 28 catches for 388 yards and 7 touchdowns in seven games for the Mariners last year. “Brown and Stokes are both very physical, fast receivers and can impact the outcome of a game by their desire to go after the ball wherever it’s thrown. Both bring an excitement and work ethic that will be prevalent on the Mariners roster next season,” added Coach Simpson.
“As an organization, we’ve set out to change the culture of Indoor football in Baltimore”, stated Mariners GM Greg Justice. “We are on a mission, and these four players are great examples of what we expect in a Baltimore Mariners uniform in 2009.”
The Mariners will conduct their first open tryout on October 12 at Freestate Arena. For more information on the tryout, and other exciting news about the Baltimore Mariners, visit our website at www.baltimoremariners.com.
Baltimore, MD…The Baltimore Mariners have begun laying the foundation for next season with the signing of four impact players who will be instrumental in the team’s success as they “Set Sail for the Ring in 2009”.
The Mariners have signed kicker J.R. Cipra for the 2009 season. Cipra is entering his sixth professional football season, and has established his self as one of the premier kickers in indoor football, leading the AIFL and the AIFA in scoring in both 2005 and 2008. In 2006, Cipra helped lead the Canton Legends to the organization’s first AIFL Championship. Coming off a spectacular 2008 campaign, where he scored an average of 18 points a game with the Erie RiverRats, Cipra will have an immediate impact on the Mariners in 2009. “J.R. is one of the best kickers in the arena/indoor game, stated Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson. He has a tremendous leg and will be a difference maker in our special teams next season. This is a big signing for us and I know that J.R. is excited about playing closer to home and in a Mariners uniform.” Cipra (5’ 8”, 160) played college football at Ohio Northern University where he was named a Division III All-American and set twelve school kicking records including most field goals in a game, season, and career.
In another big signing, Baltimore’s Richard Johnson will be returning to the Mariners in 2009. This will be Johnson’s fifth year of professional football at many various levels. Johnson (5’ 11”, 205) was an impact player on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for Baltimore. “Richard was possibly our best all-around athlete last season, added Coach Simpson. He has the ability to play both receiver and defensive back at a very high level and his leadership skills will be a big asset to the team going into 2009.” Richard is Milford Mill Academy of Baltimore graduate and also earned High School All-American honors. Following Milford Mill, Johnson went on to play college football at Virginia Tech and was a member of the Hokies 2004 championship team.
The Mariners will also return two of their top receivers from the 2008 season, Scorpio Brown (6’ 4”, 230) and Jamaal Stokes (6’ 2”, 180). Scorpio, a product out of Morehouse State, played in the Mariners final five games last season and caught 21 passes for 227 yards and eight touchdowns. Jamaal, who played his collegiate ball at Alabama State, added 28 catches for 388 yards and 7 touchdowns in seven games for the Mariners last year. “Brown and Stokes are both very physical, fast receivers and can impact the outcome of a game by their desire to go after the ball wherever it’s thrown. Both bring an excitement and work ethic that will be prevalent on the Mariners roster next season,” added Coach Simpson.
“As an organization, we’ve set out to change the culture of Indoor football in Baltimore”, stated Mariners GM Greg Justice. “We are on a mission, and these four players are great examples of what we expect in a Baltimore Mariners uniform in 2009.”
The Mariners will conduct their first open tryout on October 12 at Freestate Arena. For more information on the tryout, and other exciting news about the Baltimore Mariners, visit our website at www.baltimoremariners.com.
