Storm re-sign K Matt George, add another lineman

Published on November 11, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


TAMPA, FL -- The Tampa Bay Storm re-signed AFL veteran kicker Matt George and inked former Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Jimond Pugh, head coach Tim Marcum announced.

George (5-10, 185, Chapman University) returns to the Storm after an injury cut short his 2004 campaign. George originally signed with Tampa Bay on March 24, 2004, and played in three games before breaking his clavicle during his first extra point try against the Chicago Rush on April 11. Before being injured, George connected on 12-of-14 extra point attempts and four-of-six field goals.

Prior to joining Tampa Bay, George kicked for three AFL teams in four seasons. His best years came in 2001 and 2002 when he scored 124 points with the Toronto Phantoms. In 2002 he finished sixth in the league in scoring among kickers and third in the league with a career-high 18 field goals made. That season he also finished fifth in the AFL in PAT percentage (89.7%) and sixth in field goal percentage (43.9%).

Pugh (6-2, 300, University of Memphis) comes to the Storm after spending the 2003 NFL season on the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers then allocated Pugh to NFL Europe, where he played the 2004 season for the Scottish Claymores.

Pugh, a center, was a three-year starter at the University of Memphis after transferring from Florida A&M. A Pensacola native, Pugh was a 2002 All-Conference USA selection and received the team's top honor by being named Top Tiger by his teammates. Pugh started every game at center during his three-year career at Memphis and once played 1,062 consecutive plays.

The Storm currently have 34 players signed for training camp. The team will be looking to fill some of its remaining roster spots during two open tryout camps in December. The Storm will hold an open tryout on December 11 at the University of Tampa and one on December 18 in Ft. Lauderdale.

The five-time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm open the 2005 season on January 29 when they host the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats at the St. Pete Times Forum. Season tickets are on sale now at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office. Season tickets may also be purchased by calling (813) 301-6600 or online at www.tampabaystorm.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 11, 2004


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