TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm added defensive lineman David Akinniyi (ah-KIN-ee-yee) to the roster, announced vice president of player personnel Jeff Gooch.
“David is a guy we have kept an eye on since the conclusion of the 2011 season,” said Gooch. “He has real good speed for a player his size and the ability to play with his hand in the dirt or from an upright position. He will add flexibility to our front four.”
Players get in some cardio during training camp in 2011. (Tampa Bay Storm)
Wide receiver Amarri Jackson returns for his second season with the Storm. (Tampa Bay Storm)
Storm to Scrimmage Predators at Pre-Season Fan Event
(Courtesy: BC Lions)
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm has acquired defensive lineman Richard Jones, announced vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.
One group of quarterbacks and wide receivers working hard to show off thier talents. (Tampa Bay Storm)
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm had its final open tryout prior to the 2012 Arena Football League Season today at Skyway Park (Tampa). Nearly 100 athletes participated in the tryout with the goal of catching the eye of the Storm front office.
Storm Make Additions to Coaching Staff
Donnie Abraham returns and is Joined by John Gregory and Lawrence Samuels
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm are pleased to announce the addition of three coaches to the coaching staff, Donnie Abraham, John Gregory and Lawrence Samuels, announced vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.
“We are extremely excited to have all three coaches join the staff,” said Gooch. “All three bring a wealth of football knowledge, from the x’s and o’s, to the fundamentals of the game. Donnie, John and Lawrence will be big assets in helping head coach Dave Ewart get the most out of our roster.”
By BJ PICKARD
It did not come as a surprise to George LaFrance to find that 11 of the 18 All-Arena selections from the 2011 season played their college ball at non-FBS schools.
“Small college kids are hungry,” LaFrance said.
He would know.
LaFrance played at Eastern Arizona Junior College, Baker University and even coached at Fort Hays State University as a graduate student before he finally got a shot to play professionally with the AFL’s Detroit Drive in 1988.
STORM ACQUIRE QB STEPHEN WASIL FROM KANSAS CITY COMMAND
In Exchange for DL/LB Cliff Dukes
TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Storm has acquired quarterback Stephen Wasil from the Kansas City Command in exchange for defensive lineman/linebacker Cliff Dukes, announced vice president of football operations Jeff Gooch.
“The quarterback position is a premium position in the Arena Football League,” said Gooch. “We had an opportunity present itself where we were able to address a need of the team. We think highly of Cliff, he has been a great player for us. But we also felt strong about Wasil and the skills he can bring to our team. His addition will raise the level of competition at the quarterback position as we head into training camp.”
The 2011 NFL season is in the books and the New York Football Giants are Super Bowl XLVI Champions. As the NFL celebrated the 2011 season during Super Bowl week, mentions of the Arena Football League buzzed throughout the Media Center in Indianapolis. And as the end of the NFL season serves as a prelude to the AFL’s 25th season, AFL Communications was on-hand to cover the event.
The amount of Arena Football connections in Indianapolis was overwhelming. The AFL has paved the way to successful career’s of players, coaches, front office executives and the media.