Former Morgan State Bear Signs Deal with Baltimore Mariners
BALTIMORE, MD (August 25, 2009) – Former Morgan State Bear Joe Taylor, who was one of the Baltimore Mariners top tacklers in 2009 and helped lead the team to a staggering 42 interceptions, has re-signed with the Mariners for the upcoming 2010 season.
Taylor, who was a two-time letter-winner and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week with Morgan, totaled 21.5 tackles (13 solo and 17 assisted), three interceptions, one fumble recovery and scored two touchdowns in just nine games played for the Mariners in the 2009 season.
“It feels great to be back in Baltimore. We started something special last year and I feel we have some unfinished business. The fans in Baltimore are great and you have to show love to the Mariner Maniacs [the Mariners’ Fan Club]. They make the game experience something special and the make road games feel like home,” stated Taylor, who also played for the Mariners in 2008.
A current resident of Laurel, Taylor played his high school ball for Tallahassee Lincoln of Tallahassee, Florida. At 6’, 220 Taylor split time between defensive back and linebacker for the Mariners in 2009. The Mariners, who were 9-5 in 2009, earned the franchises first playoff berth before losing in the first round of playoffs to the eventual American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) champion, Reading Express. Despite the loss Taylor has high expectations for 2010, “My number one goal is to win the AIFA championship. If we as a team focus on that, everything else will take care of itself.”
Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson is looking forward to Taylor’s presence on the field as a player and a leader, “Having Joe on the field is like having another coach in the defensive huddle. He has great knowledge of the game and is able to assist in adjustments during a game. He is very physical with a great nose for the ball.”
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.