Tomcats' Jim Tarle signs with NFL's Jags

by af2 Press Release
November 17, 2000 - arenafootball2 (af2)

af2 Press Release

Becomes 6th af2 Player To Move Up to the NFL

JACKSONVILLE (November 17, 2000) - Jacksonville Tomcats' Place Kicker Jim Tarle has been signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL and will see his first game action this Sunday as the Jaguars face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tarle becomes the sixth af2 player to be signed by or invited to an NFL training camp this season, but the first to see game action.

"We have watched Jim Tarle for a number of years. We had a couple of workouts with him and we were impressed. I have always liked his leg strength, and was very aware of the other leagues that were interested in him. I felt in an effort to kick the ball deep with some consistency this is someone we had to look at," said Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

Tarle was successful on 17 of 48 field goal attempts last season with the Tomcats and 77 of 84 extra points. On June 3, Tarle set an af2 record by successfully kicking a 58-yard field goal against the Richmond Speed. For the season, Tarle scored 128 total points, ranking fourth among the league's kickers. Tarle is a local graduate of Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville and played collegiately at South Carolina and Arkansas State and previously had NFL tryouts with the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. Tarle will wear jersey No. 5 and will handle the kickoff duties on Sunday.

"I am at a loss for words," said Tarle. "It's like a dream come true. I am excited and ecstatic to have a chance to play in the NFL."

Tarle joins a list of five other af2 players who have had tryouts or been signed by NFL teams. Previously, Carolina Rhinos O'Dell Collins (Washington Redskins), Tulsa Talons' David Camacho (Baltimore Ravens), Richmond Speed's Shayne Graham (New York Giants), Quad City's Shon King (Kansas City Chiefs), and Tallahassee Thunder's Clyde Sanders (San Francisco 49ers) have all made the leap from af2 to the NFL.

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from November 17, 2000

• Tomcats' Jim Tarle signs with NFL's Jags - OSC Original by af2 Press Release

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.