Former Canadian Football League Quarterback joins Atlantic Football League team.
The Erie Freeze of the Atlantic Indoor Football league are proud to announce the team has agreed to terms to acquire former NFL, CFL, and Indiana University quarterback Tommy Jones.
Jones will vie in the Freeze’s first training camp for the team’s starting quarterback position in the 2005 season.
The acquisition of Jones, along with the previous signing of former Buffalo Bills QB David Dinkins, brings the number of quarterbacks with NFL experience in camp to two. Competition for the starting job should be intense and the benefits should be enjoyed by Freeze fans.
Freeze Head Coach and General Manager Mike Esposito welcomed the opportunity to have two proven “gunslingers” in camp.
"I am more relieved than Wyatt Earp after the shootout at the O.K. Corral. When you can have two guys that have taken NFL snaps on one arena team, the combination equals a tag team that will be a force to reckon with and give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares," he said.
"But the greatest aspect is that both Tommy and David will have the opportunity to experience Erie, PA, before their next jump into higher leagues."
Jones started six of the eight games he played for the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 2004. He made an immediate impact north of the border when he passed for 284 yards with a 28-for-50 passing performance against the Ottawa Renegades.
In his second start for the Stamps, he shredded the Blue Bombers of Winnipeg for four touchdown passes.
Jones finished the 2004 season with a 52% completion rate while throwing for 1,237 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 6’3”, 235-pound Jones displayed his mobility and field awareness by rushing for 147 yards on only 18 carries with two touchdowns.
In 2003, Jones was one of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals final cuts after participating in the team’s passing camp, mini-camp, and training camp.
Bengals quarterback coach Ken Zampese added, “Tommy is a hard worker, diligent, and a team player, who has pro potential. He picked up our offense quickly, got along with his teammates, and developed a good chemistry with the other quarterback.”
At Indiana, Jones overcame injury to claim the Hoosiers’ starting pivot job in 2002 and 2003, completing 103 of 208 pass attempts for 1176 yards with 11 touchdown passes.
Jones recorded his most productive games by firing five touchdown passes against William & Mary and Michigan State in 2003.
Many draft pundits listed Jones as one of the nation’s top quarterbacking prospects in the 2003 draft.
Brian R. Redden, Jones' agent, is enthusiastic about Jones’s and Erie’s agreement for the 2005 season.
“I am very pleased for Tommy to be able to come to the Freeze. Erie is a great football town and Coach Esposito has worked very hard to put a winning team on the field and has succeeded in building a high-class organization."
"I am sure that having Tommy there will put the Freeze in a great position to succeed,” said Redden.
Jones and the rest of Erie Freeze hopefuls will descend on Erie, PA March 31 to report for training camp that opens April 1.
The Erie Freeze kickoff the 2005 season April 16 in Johnstown, PA. The Freeze open its home schedule April 23 at 7 p.m. in Tuillio Arena against Richmond.
For more information on the Freeze schedule, season tickets or employment opportunities, log on to the team website at www.eriefreeze.com or call (814) 454-0200.
The Atlantic Indoor Football League is the hottest new professional football league and will kickoff its inaugural season April 16, 2005. For more information about the AIFL, visit www.aiflonline.com, call (330) 453-2860 or contact Joey Josephs, Director of Media Relations, by phone at (321) 356-5379 or by e-mail at jjosephs@aiflonline.com.
Jones will vie in the Freeze’s first training camp for the team’s starting quarterback position in the 2005 season.
The acquisition of Jones, along with the previous signing of former Buffalo Bills QB David Dinkins, brings the number of quarterbacks with NFL experience in camp to two. Competition for the starting job should be intense and the benefits should be enjoyed by Freeze fans.
Freeze Head Coach and General Manager Mike Esposito welcomed the opportunity to have two proven “gunslingers” in camp.
"I am more relieved than Wyatt Earp after the shootout at the O.K. Corral. When you can have two guys that have taken NFL snaps on one arena team, the combination equals a tag team that will be a force to reckon with and give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares," he said.
"But the greatest aspect is that both Tommy and David will have the opportunity to experience Erie, PA, before their next jump into higher leagues."
Jones started six of the eight games he played for the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in 2004. He made an immediate impact north of the border when he passed for 284 yards with a 28-for-50 passing performance against the Ottawa Renegades.
In his second start for the Stamps, he shredded the Blue Bombers of Winnipeg for four touchdown passes.
Jones finished the 2004 season with a 52% completion rate while throwing for 1,237 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 6’3”, 235-pound Jones displayed his mobility and field awareness by rushing for 147 yards on only 18 carries with two touchdowns.
In 2003, Jones was one of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals final cuts after participating in the team’s passing camp, mini-camp, and training camp.
Bengals quarterback coach Ken Zampese added, “Tommy is a hard worker, diligent, and a team player, who has pro potential. He picked up our offense quickly, got along with his teammates, and developed a good chemistry with the other quarterback.”
At Indiana, Jones overcame injury to claim the Hoosiers’ starting pivot job in 2002 and 2003, completing 103 of 208 pass attempts for 1176 yards with 11 touchdown passes.
Jones recorded his most productive games by firing five touchdown passes against William & Mary and Michigan State in 2003.
Many draft pundits listed Jones as one of the nation’s top quarterbacking prospects in the 2003 draft.
Brian R. Redden, Jones' agent, is enthusiastic about Jones’s and Erie’s agreement for the 2005 season.
“I am very pleased for Tommy to be able to come to the Freeze. Erie is a great football town and Coach Esposito has worked very hard to put a winning team on the field and has succeeded in building a high-class organization."
"I am sure that having Tommy there will put the Freeze in a great position to succeed,” said Redden.
Jones and the rest of Erie Freeze hopefuls will descend on Erie, PA March 31 to report for training camp that opens April 1.
The Erie Freeze kickoff the 2005 season April 16 in Johnstown, PA. The Freeze open its home schedule April 23 at 7 p.m. in Tuillio Arena against Richmond.
For more information on the Freeze schedule, season tickets or employment opportunities, log on to the team website at www.eriefreeze.com or call (814) 454-0200.
The Atlantic Indoor Football League is the hottest new professional football league and will kickoff its inaugural season April 16, 2005. For more information about the AIFL, visit www.aiflonline.com, call (330) 453-2860 or contact Joey Josephs, Director of Media Relations, by phone at (321) 356-5379 or by e-mail at jjosephs@aiflonline.com.
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