Post by marinersmedia on Aug 12, 2009 10:21:47 GMT -5
FIVE MARINERS NAMED TO AIFA ALL-PRO TEAM
Grier, Watson Named 1st Team All-Pro, Three Honorable Mention Selections
BALTIMORE, MD (August 11, 2009) – The Baltimore Mariners added to their successful 2009 season, which saw the team compile a 9-5 regular season and the franchise’s first playoff berth, by producing five players who were named to the Vidswap.com/AIFA All-Pro Team. Running Back Isaiah Grier and Defensive Back Armar Watson were named First Team All-Pro and Kicker J.R. Cipra, Defensive Back Richard Johnson, and Wide Receiver Jamaal Stokes were named Honorable Mention AIFA All-Pros.
The Mariners two First Team All-Pros, Grier and Watson, led their respective units to successful seasons. Grier was the featured back in the Mariners’ American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) league leading rushing attack. The Mariners Back also topped the AIFA, individually, in rushing yardage with 514 net yards and was second in the league with 20 rushing touchdowns. Watson sparked a Baltimore defense which led the league with 42 interceptions and returned an incredible 11 pick-offs for touchdowns. Watson tied for the AIFA lead with 17 interceptions; including three which were returned for touchdowns and also led the league in passes defended averaging 2.79 a game with 22 passes broken up to go with his 17 INTs.
Three Mariners also garnered Honorable Mention All-Pro honors. Kicker J.R. Cipra topped all kickers with 172 points (29 points ahead of his closest competition), was at the head of the AIFA kicking ranks with 34 field goals, and finished third in PATs with 70. Watson’s defensive backfield mate, Richard Johnson, was also among the league leaders in interceptions, finishing tied for fourth with 10 takeaways. Johnson also ranked fourth in interception return yards with 165. Wide Receiver Jamaal Stokes was the Mariners leading pass catcher with 71 receptions (9th in the league), 763 yards (ranked 8th in the AIFA), and ten touchdown receptions.
Mariners General Manager Greg Justice commented on the team’s and player success, “the 2009 season was truly a remarkable journey that required a lot of compromise and left little room for anything other than the ‘Mariner Way’. This dedication to team first, individual second leaves little room for personal rewards. To see our Mariner players rewarded on the All-Pro team is a true measure of the quality of both our players and the Mariner organization. I am very proud and look forward to an even brighter 2010.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
Grier, Watson Named 1st Team All-Pro, Three Honorable Mention Selections
BALTIMORE, MD (August 11, 2009) – The Baltimore Mariners added to their successful 2009 season, which saw the team compile a 9-5 regular season and the franchise’s first playoff berth, by producing five players who were named to the Vidswap.com/AIFA All-Pro Team. Running Back Isaiah Grier and Defensive Back Armar Watson were named First Team All-Pro and Kicker J.R. Cipra, Defensive Back Richard Johnson, and Wide Receiver Jamaal Stokes were named Honorable Mention AIFA All-Pros.
The Mariners two First Team All-Pros, Grier and Watson, led their respective units to successful seasons. Grier was the featured back in the Mariners’ American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) league leading rushing attack. The Mariners Back also topped the AIFA, individually, in rushing yardage with 514 net yards and was second in the league with 20 rushing touchdowns. Watson sparked a Baltimore defense which led the league with 42 interceptions and returned an incredible 11 pick-offs for touchdowns. Watson tied for the AIFA lead with 17 interceptions; including three which were returned for touchdowns and also led the league in passes defended averaging 2.79 a game with 22 passes broken up to go with his 17 INTs.
Three Mariners also garnered Honorable Mention All-Pro honors. Kicker J.R. Cipra topped all kickers with 172 points (29 points ahead of his closest competition), was at the head of the AIFA kicking ranks with 34 field goals, and finished third in PATs with 70. Watson’s defensive backfield mate, Richard Johnson, was also among the league leaders in interceptions, finishing tied for fourth with 10 takeaways. Johnson also ranked fourth in interception return yards with 165. Wide Receiver Jamaal Stokes was the Mariners leading pass catcher with 71 receptions (9th in the league), 763 yards (ranked 8th in the AIFA), and ten touchdown receptions.
Mariners General Manager Greg Justice commented on the team’s and player success, “the 2009 season was truly a remarkable journey that required a lot of compromise and left little room for anything other than the ‘Mariner Way’. This dedication to team first, individual second leaves little room for personal rewards. To see our Mariner players rewarded on the All-Pro team is a true measure of the quality of both our players and the Mariner organization. I am very proud and look forward to an even brighter 2010.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.