On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Storm announced the acquisition of 2015 Arena Football League Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Arena defensive back Greg Reid.
As vice president of football operations, Jeff Gooch, said:
“Greg is one of the premier defensive players in the League and will provide an immediate impact on the field. He has a nose for the ball and brings added stability to our backfield. We cannot wait to see him out on the field, performing at the high level we know he is capable of.”
Reid (5’9″, 190 lbs., Florida State), a native of Valdosta, Georgia, now enters his rookie year with the Storm, and his third year in the league. In 2015, he began his career with the Jacksonville Sharks, making an impact when he joined the team mid-season.
Starting in all 12 of his appearances, Reid ended the year with 70.5 total tackles (one for loss), 21 pass breakups, nine interceptions, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown, all of which enough to garner First Team All-Arena and Rookie of the Year honors. Building on his regular season success, he anchored a secondary that propelled Jacksonville to a berth in ArenaBowl XXVIII.
Reid’s second season saw no dropoff, as he again started every game (this time 15), leading the team in several defensive categories. He finished with 101.5 total tackles (1.5 for loss), eight interceptions (leading the team in both tackles and picks), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two more touchdowns, earning a second All-Arena selection.
In his brief career, Reid has already tallied 172.0 tackles (2.5 for loss), 48 pass breakups, 17 interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three touchdowns on defense.
A former Florida State standout, Reid made 38 appearances as a Seminole (25 starts). He finished his collegiate career with 120.0 total tackles (4.0 for loss), 25 pass breakups, seven interceptions and three forced fumbles. Also starring on special teams, Reid returned 63 kicks for 1,553 yards and 89 punts for 1,117 yards and three touchdowns. Reid earned Defensive MVP honors for his performance in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl.
To fulfill the roster requirement, Tampa Bay placed defensive lineman Max Nacewicz on inactive reserve.
While the Storm defense leagues the league in forced fumbles, this will help bolster a defense that sits third in total tackles (174.0) and fourth in tackles for loss (9.0) Also, Tamp Bay has only recorded four interceptions on the season, tied for third in the league with the Washington Valor, and sits in a distant last place with interception return yards (4).
The 2001 Baltimore Ravens of the NFL had an unusual quirk: three players with the last name of Lewis (LB Ray, RB Jamal, and WR Jermaine). In 2016, the Jacksonville Sharks went one step beyond, using four players with the last name of Jackson (Jack linebacker Alvin Ray, defensive back LaRoche “Action”, wide receiver Roger “Spiderman”, and defensive lineman Dexter).
While the end result wasn’t near the same (Ravens won the Super Bowl, while the Sharks fell in the conference title game), all of them had their own major contributions throughout the season.
On offense, with the shear depth at wide receiver, Roger had issues seeing the field. He featured in the first five games of the season, but only registered ten catches one, and never hit the 100-yard mark in a game.
Even with 28 catches for 268 yards and three scores, the return of London Crawford and the exploits of Tiger Jones and Joe Hills throughout the season, Roger found himself out of the starting lineup more often than not.
While he did return for the Week 18 matchup against the Tampa Bay Storm, his six catches for 71 yards and two scores didn’t translate to a playoff appearance.
On defense, Alvin Ray, Dexter, and LaRoche shined in moments where the unit as a whole had a rough season. LaRoche, in his second stint with the team, finished second with six interceptions (one behind Greg Reid, and one-third of the team’s total), and finished third on the team with 77 total tackles while also finishing tied for second with ten pass deflections.
Alvin Ray, who had his biggest moment in the playoffs against the Orlando Predators thanks to his six-yard pick-six to keep the Sharks in the game, did finish fourth in total tackles (55.5), batted down three passes, caught two more as interceptions, and recovered two fumbles, anchoring the second level of defense that should see some improvement with a new coach in 2017.
Dexter was good enough to register at least a half tackle in every game this season, only missing one and totaling 23 (good enough for fifth on the Sharks), but was only one of eight players to register at least a half sack, and led the team with 4.5 (out of a total of 17, showing the team missed Joe Sykes, who set the league record in 2015 with 18.5 by himself).
All four of them will want to forget the 2016 season they had, but will all be looking forward to 2017, where they hope to have one more thing in common: a championship ring.
The favorite to win the AFL MVP this year, Davila has had a season to remember. The “Latin Laser” has thrown for a league leading 110 touchdowns this year, while throwing for 4,198 yards. Davila is one of three quarterbacks to throw for 4,000 yards this year, (the other two are Tommy Grady and Dan Raudabaugh). Perhaps the stat that tells you most about the kind of season Davila is having is touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Compared to the 110 touchdowns he’s thrown for this year, Davila has only been picked off 11 times, which is a testament to the special season that Davila is having. With the season he’s having, he has assured everyone that he is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time. Davila will be leading the Rattlers to their fifth Arena Bowl in six seasons, and he’ll look to add to his trophy case by winning another Arena Bowl.
Mykel Benson (FB, Arizona Rattlers)
While Derrick Ross or Jeramie Richardson would seem like the better choice to be selected here, Benson has a case to be considered the best fullback in the league. While fullbacks aren’t primarily used in the AFL, the Rattlers are typically a team that usually run the ball sparingly. Benson scored 20 touchdowns this year, which is tied with Ross and Richardson for the most touchdowns scored by a running back.
Ross and Richardson had nearly 30 more carries than Benson, which might be why Benson got selected to be the fullback that earned First Team All-Arena honors. Benson was only able to rush for 199 yards, but he only got 75 carries this season. Look for Benson to be a key component of the Rattlers offense in the Arena Bowl on August 26.
Joe Hills (WR, Jacksonville Sharks)
Hills has caught a touchdown in 69 straight regular season games, which should be enough to tell you why Hills is an All-Arena receiver. However, that streak is just one of many things that Hills can boast about. “Superman” ranked first in both receiving yards and touchdowns, and the next best receiver on the list isn’t even close statistically to Hills.
Hills has caught 161 passes for 2,020 yards and 58 touchdowns, and he’s the only receiver to reach 2,000 receiving yards. Hills averages 12.5 yards per play, and he caught eight touchdowns in one game this year. He’s having a career year with the Sharks, and he’s the main reason why they could be heading back to the Arena Bowl for the second straight year.
Rod Windsor (WR, Arizona Rattlers)
Windsor is the third player for the Rattlers on offense to earn All-Arena honors, and that’s the reason why the Rattlers arguably have the best offense in the league. Other than Hills, Windsor has the most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns of any receiver in the entire AFL. Windsor has hauled in 145 passes for 1,667 yards and 48 touchdowns.
Windsor was one of three receivers to reach 1,600 yards, and he’s the only receiver other than Hills to have at least 40 touchdowns. He has formed a dynamic duo with Davila, which is why the Rattlers are in position to add another Foster Trophy to their large case.
Brandon Thompkins (WR, Orlando Predators)
Thompkins was the top receiver for quarterbacks Randy Hippeard and Bernard Morris in Orlando, and that doesn’t surprise many since he’s the third best receiver in the league based on statistics. Thompkins had 38 touchdowns, and he caught 135 passes for 1,631 yards, which is why he earned First Team All-Arena honors.
If it weren’t for Joe Hills, Thompkins would by far be the best receiver in the American Conference. He is a threat to do anything deemed possible on the offensive side of the ball, as his speed allows him to do a lot of things on offense. Thompkins and fellow wide receiver Greg Carr are one of the best 1-2 punches in all of Arena Football.
Adam Smith (OL, Philadelphia Soul)
Smith is not your typically offensive lineman, as he caught eight passes and scored three touchdowns for the Soul this year. Over his three-year career, which has been spent with the Soul, Smith has caught 15 touchdowns.
Smith is the centerpiece of a Soul offensive line that did a fine job of protecting Dan Raudabaugh this year. The Soul offensive line only allowed five sacks during the regular season. Philadelphia has usually always had a very quality offensive line, but now that Smith is anchoring the offensive line, the Soul have been able to protect the reigning AFL MVP better than ever before.
Cornelius Lewis (OL, Jacksonville Sharks)
Lewis is one of the most consistent offensive lineman in all of the AFL, as he started all 16 games for the Sharks this year. Lewis has spent four of his six seasons with the Sharks, and he’s one of the main reasons why Derrick Ross was able to lead the league in rushing this year.
The Sharks only allowed 10 sacks this year, which is very similar to last year, when the Sharks allowed only eight sacks. While Tommy Grady has been under pressure sometimes, for the most part, the Sharks are able to protect their quarterback. Because of Lewis’ consistency, the Sharks have one of the most dynamic offenses in the AFL.
Jordan Mudge (C, Arizona Rattlers)
Mudge is on his third team in four seasons, but he’s seemed to have found a home in the desert. The Rattlers have one of the most consistent offensive lines in the AFL, and Mudge is a key component of that offensive line. Arizona has done a fantastic job of protecting Davila, as they’ve only allowed eight sacks this season.
Without Mudge anchoring the offensive line, the number of sacks allowed might’ve ballooned, which is why he earned First Team All-Arena honors. Look for Mudge to stick with the Rattlers for some time, because it would be different team without a dominant force on the offensive line.
Joe Madsen (C, Cleveland Gladiators)
For the first time in his three-year career, Madsen has earned First Team All-Arena honors. Madsen spent his first two seasons with the LA KISS, but he seems to have found a home in Cleveland. Even though the offensive line allowed 24 sacks last year, Madsen and the rest of the offensive line was able to pave the way for Arvell Nelson to be able to scramble. Nelson was the third best rusher in the AFL this year, as he rushed for 212 yards and 11 touchdowns. Even though the number of sacks allowed was a little high, Madsen still had the best season of his career.
Defense
Jake Metz (DL, Philadelphia Soul)
Metz was one of the many dominant players on a Soul defense that terrorized every team they faced. Metz is one of three players that was named to the First Team All-Arena defense, and at the rate he sacked quarterbacks, that seems like a well-deserved honor for Metz. Metz was the league leader in sacks (8), and he forced opposing teams to lose 44 yards on those eight sacks.
Metz also had 29.5 tackles and 10 tackles for loss this year, while also forcing two fumbles. Metz played in every game this season, and what’s scary is he’s one of many very dominant players on the Soul defense.
Damien Borel (DL, Arizona Rattlers)
While Metz was first in the league in sacks, Borel wasn’t far behind, as he was the centerpiece of the Rattlers defense this year. Borel recorded 6.5 sacks this year, which was by far the most on the Rattlers. Borel was Mr. Consistent last year, as he missed only one game. Borel racked up 21.5 tackles, and he had 7.5 tackles for loss, which was the second highest total on the team.
Borel also forced one fumble, which was tied for third on the team. While Arkeith Brown gets most of the attention, Borel is the unsung hero of the Rattlers defense, which is why he earned First Team All-Arena honors.
Randy Colling (NG, Cleveland Gladiators)
Colling is the only player from the Gladiators to earn First Team All-Arena Defense honors, and that makes sense for someone who couldn’t be stopped by offensive lineman. This is the first time in his career that Colling has earned First Team All-Arena honors.
Colling racked up 19.5 tackles and 4.5 sacks, which was the seventh best total in the AFL. Colling led the team tackles for loss (6.0), and he forced teams to lose 29 yards. Colling played in every single game this year, and he’ll look to build on the success he had this year.
Tyre Glasper (MLB, Arizona Rattlers)
Glasper is one of the best middle linebackers in the AFL, which is why he is the lone middle linebacker to earn First Team All-Arena honors. Glasper hasn’t put up jaw-dropping numbers like some of his other defensive counterparts, but his consistency was what helped him have a very successful season.
Glasper has played in every single game this year, and he’s provided quality production in every one of those games. Glasper has recorded 24.5 tackles, with 16 of those being solo tackles. Glasper also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, and he sacked the quarterback four times.
Joe Goosby (JLB, Philadelphia Soul)
Goosby is one of three Soul players to be on the First Team All-Arena Defense, and other than Tracy Belton, Goosby has probably been the Soul’s best defensive player. Goosby has racked up 70 tackles which is the second best total on the entire team. He also recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, and he picked off two passes. Goosby has started in every game this season. Without Goosby, the Soul defense would still be dominant, but it certainly wouldn’t be the same without him.
Tracy Belton (DB, Philadelphia Soul)
Belton is the best player on the Soul defense, and you could make a case that he’s the best defensive player in the AFL. Belton leads the team in tackles (90), which ranks fourth in the entire league. Belton recorded nine interceptions, which ranks first in the AFL.
Belton also forced one fumble. He’s started in every single game, and there are no words to describe the impact that Belton has had on the Soul defense. Without him, the defense wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is today.
Greg Reid (DB, Jacksonville Sharks)
Reid has the ability to shut down any wide receiver in the league, and he is an absolute tackling machine. Reid leads the league in tackles (101.5), and he ranks second in interceptions (8). Reid also added 1.5 tackles for loss, and he forced one fumble. Reid started in 15 games this year, and he’s probably the best defensive player in the AFL.
His ability to shut down any wide receiver, while being able to rack up a crazy amount of tackles, makes him the best defensive back in the league, and arguably the best defensive player in the league.
Varmah Sonie (DB, Orlando Predators)
If Greg Reid didn’t play in the AFL, then Sonie would be the league leader in tackles, and he probably would be considered the best defensive player in the AFL. Sonie started in all 16 games, and there was never a game where he wasn’t contributing.
Sonie racked up 97 tackles this year, which is by far the most on the team, and it’s the second most in the entire league. Sonie was tied for the lead in interceptions on the team with six, and he forced one fumble. Sonie is definitely one of the best defensive backs in the game because of how many tackles he gets each and every game.
Special Teams
Tommy Frevert (K, Philadelphia Soul)
In a year where teams were usually always scrambling for kickers, the Soul didn’t have that problem because they had a consistent kicker in Tommy Frevert. Frevert went 2/2 on field goals this year, and he converted 118 extra points this year.
Frevert accounted for 124 points, which is the most by any kicker in the entire league. Frevert totaled 35 touchbacks this year when he served as the kicker on kickoffs. Frevert was one of the only kickers to remain with a team for the entire year.
Brandon Thompkins (KR, Orlando Predators)
Thompkins has made the team twice, as he already made the team as a wide receiver. Thompkins was the far and away the best kick returner this year, as he racked up 1,823 kick return yards, which is by far the most of any kick returner.
Thompkins returned 93 kicks, and his longest return went for 57 yards. Thompkins averaged 19.8 yards per return, and he scored five touchdowns on returns this year. When you factor in his receiving yards, Thompkins recorded 3,530 total yards this year.
While the Jacksonville Sharks (7-9) didn’t have much to play for against the Tampa Bay Storm (2-14), there was still pride, stats, and a season sweep on the line. Jacksonville stepped up to the task, finishing the regular season with a 54-35 win on Saturday.
In what amounted to be the most inauspicious start to a game this season for Jacksonville, The Storm and Sharks started going toe-to-toe, with each team scoring on their first two drives. The only difference was Tommy Grady was comfortable in the pocket, while Jason Boltus, starting in lieu of Adam Kennedy, faced significant pressure from the Sharks defensive line. The first sign of Jacksonville’s weakness came on a kickoff.
Down 14-13 due to another Lindsey Wolfe missed extra point, linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson found himself returning the Tampa Bay kick. He did well getting the ball to near his own 20, but Tampa Bay defensive back Nick Addison stripped the ball, picked it up and ran in for a touchdown and a shock 21-13 lead to end the first quarter.
Being on their heels, the Sharks responded quickly, first with Grady finding Joe Hills (who was on a quest for both the single-season touchdown record and a 2,000-yard season) to pull within a point to start the second quarter, then with David Hyland breaking up a 4th-and-16 pass to give Jacksonville the ball on downs. While the ensuing drive started with a six-yard loss by Derrick Ross, the Storm gave a helping hand thanks to a current Shark and a former one. Roger “Spiderman” Jackson, seeing his first action in several weeks, caught a 17-yard pass on 3rd-and-16, then DE Jerry Turner committed a personal foul to cut the field in half. Hills scored from a yard out, and the lead was restored at 27-20.
The defense didn’t let up after the score, as Greg Reid and Keon Lyn prevented another 4th-and-long conversion, stopping Phillip Barnett at the one-yard line to give Jacksonville the ball yet again. The Sharks couldn’t take full advantage with 36 seconds left, and the lead at the half was a mere seven points.
Jacksonville finally pulled away in the second half, using a Keith Bowers/Jordan Miller combined sack and forcing two more incompletions for another fourth-down stop, then converting two fourth downs of their own before Tommy Grady found Tiger Jones on a 10-yard scoring pass to create a two-score lead.
It was the closest the Storm would get for the rest of the night, and the Sharks finally started to pull away after forcing another turnover on downs to start the fourth quarter. That stop led to a historic moment, as on that drive Hills caught a 19-yard pass to break the 2,000 receiving yard mark for the first time in his career, then caught the touchdown pass on the very next play.
While there was some fight left in Tampa Bay, Jacksonville earned one final turnover on downs to eliminate any hope of a late comeback in the last minute.
On offense, Grady had another good night, completing 21 of 34 attempts for 254 yards, eight touchdowns, and no interceptions. Boltus also played an interception-free game, but only completing 17 of his 36 attempts for 231 yards and four scores.
Hills led all the way in his milestone night, recording game highs in catches (seven), yards (92), and scores (four, bringing him to 58 for the regular season, three shy of Damian Harrell‘s record). Jones wasn’t far behind with four catches for 88 yards and two scores, while Spiderman lured six balls into his web for 71 yards and two scores.
T.T. Toliver had a relatively quiet night by his standards, but still led his team with 84 yards and two scores on four catches. Former Shark Prechae Rodriguez had a team-high six catches (43 yards, TD), and Kendrick Ings finished with five catches for 67 yards and a score.
On defense, Bowers, Miller, Cornelius Lewis, and Neefy Moffett all paid for Boltus’ trips to Sacksonville, while Lyn was the only player to record double-digit tackles.
For Jacksonville, the second season now begins. Thanks to tonight’s results, next week the Sharks will look to repeat their path to the ArenaBowl, as they go on the road to face the Orlando Predators in the conference semifinals. Kickoff is set for Saturday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m., and the game will be televised live on CBS Sports Network.
Inside the Arena 