Shock Continue to Add NFL Talent
October 18, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
Spokane, WA: The Spokane Shock announced today that DL Pierre Walters, OL Thomas Claiborne and OL Ryan Cave have been added to the 2012 roster.
Walters, 6-5 269, spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, primarily as a member of the practice squad. Over his 13-game career with the Chiefs, including three regular-season games, Thomas collected 20 tackles.
Prior to signing with the Chiefs (as an undrafted free agent in 2009), Walters spent his collegiate career at Eastern Illinois where he racked up 154 tackles with 15.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries as a Panther.
"Walters' resume really speaks for itself," Head Coach Andy Olson said. "Anytime you have that much experience in the NFL, you have a special talent. We feel like with Walters' experience, his quickness off the ball and his strength he can be a dominant player at this level. I'm anxious to bring him into camp and introduce him to the Arena game."
Claiborne, 6-3 330, also joins Spokane's roster with NFL experience on his resume. Earlier this year, Claiborne signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was released during the final cuts. During his time with Tampa Bay, Claiborne appeared in all four of the Buccaneers' preseason games before his release.
Before signing with the Buccaneers, Claiborne enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Boston College. In 2010, Claiborne helped pave the way for All-ACC RB Montel Harris, who led the conference in rushing yards and ranked 16th nationally. That same season, Boston College's offensive line allowed Eagle RB's to gain 100 or more yards in nine different games.
Cave, 6-5 335, began his professional career with the Hartford Colonials in 2010. A late-season acquisition, Cave started all of his four with the team and helped Hartford's offense accumulate 2,593 yards of total offense (second in the league).
During his collegiate career at Hampton University, Cave appeared in 38 games. In his senior season, Cave helped the Pirates rush for 1,934 yards (including two yards he rushed for himself).
"It's no secret that any AFL offense is only as effective as the offensive line," General Manager Ryan Rigmaiden explained. "For a man of Claiborne's size he moves unbelievably well. Boston College is known for turning out great offensive linemen and the fact that he was a starter there is impressive. Like Claiborne, Cave can move and it's very hard to find someone who is 335 pounds who can do that. He was an all conference player and he has the size and the versatility that we look for."
Spokane's 2012 roster now includes 30 players. The Shock will open up the 2012 season on Monday, March 12th hosting the Iowa Barnstormers. For ticket information contact the Spokane Shock ticket office at 509 242 7462 ext.1.
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Arena Football League Stories from October 18, 2011
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