Hammers Add Arena Vets to Roster as Training Camp Nears
January 18, 2013 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Alabama Hammers News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Alabama Hammers have added another impressive slew of experienced players to their roster as they close in on the start of training camp in mid-February.
Offensive linemen Ray Norrell, Darius Turner and Germayle Franklin, kicker Brian Jackson and defensive back Darian Payne have agreed to play for veteran coach Dean Cokinos.
"All of these players have performed at a high level for years," Cokinos said.
"The Hammers are a better team with these guys on the roster."
Norrell (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) played for Cokinos on the Arena Football League's Georgia Force last season, and Franklin (6-4, 328) was an all-arenafootball2 performer on the Tennessee Valley Vipers 2008 championship team before moving on the AFL. Turner (6-5, 313) is a former Alabama A&M standout and earned All-Professional Indoor Football League honors while playing last season for the Hammers.
Payne (6-2, 247) - out of Alabama A&M - enters his third season with the Hammers after leading the team with 46.5 tackles and five interceptions in 2012 on his way to all-league honors. Jackson (5-8, 185) has a wealth of af2 and AFL experience and ranks among the all-time scoring kickers in arena football history.
The Hammers open the season March 8 at the Von Braun Center against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.
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