Fairbanks announce signing of Linnis Smith
Published on January 27, 2009 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Fairbanks Grizzlies News Release
Fairbanks, Alaska 1-27-09 Ricky Bertz, General Manager and owner for the Fairbanks grizzlies announced the signing of Linnis Smith for the 2009 season. Linnis played college football for 4 years at Texas A&M University as a defensive lineman where he earned 1st team All Texas and big 12 honorable mention honors. After completing his college playing career, Linnis went on the NFL where he played for the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 04-05 season as a defensive end.
Shortly after getting injured in a car accident that ended his NFL playing season with the Jaguars, Linnis started the process of rebuilding his football playing career joining the IFL's Frisco Thunder last season. At 6'4" and 285 pounds, Linnis posses the size and speed that head coach Sean Ponder and defensive Coordinator David Deaton are looking for to apply pressure on the quarterback. "Linnis has the ability to fire off the edge and get from point A to point B in the blink of an eye. If the tackle stars to jump to the outside too quickly and cheat, Linnis can quickly change direction and cut underneath the tackle who would have just overcommitted and get to the quarterback even quicker" Coach Ponder says.
Linnis is the first Fairbanks Grizzlies football player to have been signed with NFL experience. A native of Tyler, Texas Linnis is excited to begin his first season playing for the Grizzlies. In addition, he was excited about the opportunity to play for Coach Ponder, and visit Alaska for the first time in his life. Smith feels blessed to play the game of football that he loves so much, and is looking forward to giving his all to Fairbanks since the community supports the team and provides him the opportunity to play.
Indoor Football League Stories from January 27, 2009
- Matthew Pike signed for 2009 - Fairbanks Grizzlies
- Fairbanks announce signing of Linnis Smith - Fairbanks Grizzlies
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- Extreme Sign WR Peter Warrick - Bloomington Extreme
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