Blackbirds Sign Former Baltimore Raven Joe Maese
January 31, 2007 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Baltimore Blackbirds News Release
The Baltimore Blackbirds of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) announced the signing today of former Baltimore Raven and Detroit Lion, Joe Maese.
"Joe has been an incredibly accurate long-snapper in the NFL, but he also is an exceptional linebacker and defensive end. Signing an NFL player of Joe's caliber is an immediate boost to our organization and we are proud to call him a Blackbird," said Blackbirds General Manager, John Wolfe.
Maese, a 1997 Graduate of Cortez (AZ) High School, was an All-State defensive tackle as a senior. He had 18 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, seven caused fumbles and four fumble recoveries. While playing for Phoenix College, Joe snapped and played defensive end. He won the school's work ethic award and the Iron Bear Award for weightlifting. In 1999 and 2000 Maese was the deep snapper for the University of New Mexico Lobos. He was rated as college football's top deep snapper entering the 2001 draft. Maese became the only college player whose sole duty was to snap to be invited to an all-star bowl game to showcase his talent. Following selection to the Hula Bowl, in which he also played defensive end, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round (192nd overall) of the 2001 draft.
In his four seasons with the Ravens (2001-2005), the 6'1", 255 pound Maese played in 63 games. He had zero errant snaps during his time with the Baltimore Ravens and proved to be the most accurate and dependable long snapper in Ravens history. Maese performance in the Ravens 2004 game against the Seattle Seahawks resulted in him receiving the game ball. He is the first and only long snapper in Ravens history to receive a game ball. In 2005 Maese continued his NFL career with the Detroit Lions, playing a key role in three straight wins that were won by an extra point or field goal.
Despite his notoriety as a long-snapper, Maese is slated to lead the Baltimore Blackbirds defense as a linebacker or defensive end due to his exceptional strength and ability.
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American Indoor Football Association Stories from January 31, 2007
- Blackbirds Sign Former Baltimore Raven Joe Maese - Baltimore Blackbirds
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