Post by marinersmedia on Oct 26, 2009 9:24:48 GMT -5
AIFA Interception Leader, Four-Time All-League Selection Re-signs with Baltimore
BALTIMORE, MD (October 26, 2009) – Defensive Back Armar Watson who led the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) in interceptions last season, has amassed over 50 takeaways in his career, and has been on four consecutive All-League teams, has been re-signed by the Baltimore Mariners for the 2010 season.
“Armar made a huge impact on the 2009 defensive squad. We look for him to work hard in the off-season and come to camp focused and ready to continue his ball hawking ways in 2010. Since playing together in 2006, I have watched Armar continue to create havoc for opposing offenses. Plus, Armar was a great offensive weapon while in the AF2 and played some double duty for the Mariners in 2009. He is a threat on both sides of the ball and we are happy to have him back as a Mariner,” commented Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
Watson started his professional career in 2006 with the Reading Express and quickly made an impact on indoor football. He helped lead the Express to a 12-2 regular season record and the conference championship game. He led the then American Indoor Football League (AIFL) in interceptions with 18, was named to the All-AIFL First Team as a defensive back, and was named the Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 2007 Watson continued with the Express and again put up impressive numbers. He totaled 45 tackles, 11 interceptions, including three for scores, and also returned 31 kicks for 685 yards, as the Express went 14-2 and made it to the league title game. He was named 1st Team All-AIFA following the season.
For the 2008 season Watson made the transition to the Arena Football League 2’s (af2) Texas Copperheads. For the Copperheads he gained Ironman status in his triple-threat role as receiver, defensive back, and kick returner. As a first-time receiver he pulled in 42 receptions for 533 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added six touchdowns on just 11 carries. Watson totaled 51 tackles, four interceptions, one for a touchdown, and three fumble recoveries, including one for a score, on the defensive side. As a kick returner he registered 1,467 yards on 75 returns and added a score. Watson became the first player to garner all four of the af2 weekly honors winning Offensive Player of the Game, Defensive Player of the Game, Ironman of the Game, and Catch of the Game, during the season. He was also named to the af2 All-Ironman First Team.
In 2009, Watson made his debut with the Baltimore Mariners, and continued to be a multi-threat. He led the Mariners with 43.5 tackles and the AIFA with 17 interceptions, returning three for scores. He also tallied 26 receptions for 624 yards and returned 10 kicks for 124 yards and three touchdowns. For the fourth consecutive year he gained All-League honors being named All-AIFA First Team.
In his four professional seasons, Watson had totaled 179 tackles (162 solo/34 assisted), 50 interceptions (10 for scores), 69 break-ups, and six fumble recoveries, including two touchdowns. On special teams he has returned 132 kicks for 2,776 yards, and as a receiver has 52 receptions for 657 yards and 11 touchdowns. Combined as a defender, receiver, returner, and rusher he has totaled a remarkable 30 touchdowns and 4,287 combined yards.
A 2001 graduate of Suitland High School of District Heights, Maryland, Watson lettered for three seasons with the Rams and earned All-County and All-Metro honorable mention honors as a senior. The Forestville, Maryland native continued to excel at the college level. Playing for Duquesne University he was named First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) as a Junior and Senior and earned a Second Team All-MAAC nod as a sophomore. He totaled 120 tackles, 12 interceptions, including two touchdowns and 23 break-ups for the Dukes. Following his collegiate career, Watson was invited to camp with the Cleveland Browns in 2005 as an undrafted free-agent.
Baltimore Head Coach Chris Simpson looks for continued success from Watson, “I am looking forward to seeing Armar back in our secondary again. He has a tremendous nose for the football. Despite his success, I still believe that there is another level of play he hasn't quite gotten to yet. Once he reaches that, he will be very tough to beat over the middle.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (October 26, 2009) – Defensive Back Armar Watson who led the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) in interceptions last season, has amassed over 50 takeaways in his career, and has been on four consecutive All-League teams, has been re-signed by the Baltimore Mariners for the 2010 season.
“Armar made a huge impact on the 2009 defensive squad. We look for him to work hard in the off-season and come to camp focused and ready to continue his ball hawking ways in 2010. Since playing together in 2006, I have watched Armar continue to create havoc for opposing offenses. Plus, Armar was a great offensive weapon while in the AF2 and played some double duty for the Mariners in 2009. He is a threat on both sides of the ball and we are happy to have him back as a Mariner,” commented Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
Watson started his professional career in 2006 with the Reading Express and quickly made an impact on indoor football. He helped lead the Express to a 12-2 regular season record and the conference championship game. He led the then American Indoor Football League (AIFL) in interceptions with 18, was named to the All-AIFL First Team as a defensive back, and was named the Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 2007 Watson continued with the Express and again put up impressive numbers. He totaled 45 tackles, 11 interceptions, including three for scores, and also returned 31 kicks for 685 yards, as the Express went 14-2 and made it to the league title game. He was named 1st Team All-AIFA following the season.
For the 2008 season Watson made the transition to the Arena Football League 2’s (af2) Texas Copperheads. For the Copperheads he gained Ironman status in his triple-threat role as receiver, defensive back, and kick returner. As a first-time receiver he pulled in 42 receptions for 533 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added six touchdowns on just 11 carries. Watson totaled 51 tackles, four interceptions, one for a touchdown, and three fumble recoveries, including one for a score, on the defensive side. As a kick returner he registered 1,467 yards on 75 returns and added a score. Watson became the first player to garner all four of the af2 weekly honors winning Offensive Player of the Game, Defensive Player of the Game, Ironman of the Game, and Catch of the Game, during the season. He was also named to the af2 All-Ironman First Team.
In 2009, Watson made his debut with the Baltimore Mariners, and continued to be a multi-threat. He led the Mariners with 43.5 tackles and the AIFA with 17 interceptions, returning three for scores. He also tallied 26 receptions for 624 yards and returned 10 kicks for 124 yards and three touchdowns. For the fourth consecutive year he gained All-League honors being named All-AIFA First Team.
In his four professional seasons, Watson had totaled 179 tackles (162 solo/34 assisted), 50 interceptions (10 for scores), 69 break-ups, and six fumble recoveries, including two touchdowns. On special teams he has returned 132 kicks for 2,776 yards, and as a receiver has 52 receptions for 657 yards and 11 touchdowns. Combined as a defender, receiver, returner, and rusher he has totaled a remarkable 30 touchdowns and 4,287 combined yards.
A 2001 graduate of Suitland High School of District Heights, Maryland, Watson lettered for three seasons with the Rams and earned All-County and All-Metro honorable mention honors as a senior. The Forestville, Maryland native continued to excel at the college level. Playing for Duquesne University he was named First Team All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) as a Junior and Senior and earned a Second Team All-MAAC nod as a sophomore. He totaled 120 tackles, 12 interceptions, including two touchdowns and 23 break-ups for the Dukes. Following his collegiate career, Watson was invited to camp with the Cleveland Browns in 2005 as an undrafted free-agent.
Baltimore Head Coach Chris Simpson looks for continued success from Watson, “I am looking forward to seeing Armar back in our secondary again. He has a tremendous nose for the football. Despite his success, I still believe that there is another level of play he hasn't quite gotten to yet. Once he reaches that, he will be very tough to beat over the middle.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.