Storm Ink Three Linemen

Published on June 3, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA BAY – The five-time world champion Tampa Bay Storm re-signed veteran offensive and defensive linemen Ricky Hall and Ernest Certain to multi-year deals while inking fellow lineman Rod Williams to a one-year contract general manager and head coach Tim Marcum announced today.

"We're very pleased to have three big anchors up front back under contract for next season," Marcum said. "These players earned their new contracts with their performance on the field and with their behavior in the locker room last year. They were big contributors to what was one of the top passing attacks in the league. We look forward to seeing them back in a Storm uniform next season."

Tampa Bay finished the season fourth in passing offense with 279.9 yards per game and fifth in total offense, averaging 293.7 yards per game.

A 6-foot-2, 280-pound native of College Park, Georgia, Hall finished his seventh Arena Football League season in 2005, his first with the Storm. Hall appeared in all 16 games for Tampa Bay and recorded 10 solo tackles and five assisted take downs for a total of 12.5. He had two sacks totaling a loss of 15 yards and one other tackle for a loss while recovering one fumble and forcing another. On offense he caught two passes for a total of 17 yards, the first offensive output of his career.

Before joining the Storm the Marshall alumni played five seasons with the Indiana Firebirds, making 69.5 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He also had three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

A 6-foot-3, 285-pound Florida native, Certain has been a mainstay on the Tampa Bay Storm line for the last four seasons. Certain appeared in all 16 games in 2005 and recorded a total of 16 tackles, 13 of which were solo. He finished tied for the team lead with two sacks. He also recovered one fumble and registered five pass breakups. Offensively, he caught one pass for 14 yards.

A graduate of Florida A&M, the Gainesville native has played his entire four-year career with Tampa Bay, recording a total of 44 tackles and three sacks entering the 2005 season. He reached 10 tackles for a loss with his two this past season. He had six fumble recoveries entering this season with one forced. On offense, Certain has caught six passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

A 6-foot-3, 300-pound, seven-year AFL veteran, Williams shined at center for the Storm in 2005. After the Storm dealt Louis Williams to New Orleans Williams took over full-time duties as the anchor of the offensive line. On defense he recorded four tackles and one sack with another assisted tackle for a loss.

The Florida A&M standout has spent all of his seven Arena Football League seasons with the Storm, appearing in 76 games from 1999-05. He has recorded 53 tackles with 10.5 of those coming for a loss. He ranks fifth on the all-time Storm sack list with 13. He also has five career forced fumbles.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 3, 2005


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