Richmond Raiders announce signings

The Richmond Raiders have taken the first step toward the 2013 professional indoor football season by signing three veteran players.  The first three members of the 2013 Raiders are wide receiver Herb Jones, center Derek Stoudt, and defensive lineman James Carter.

Jones returns for his fourth season in Richmond.  He led all Raider receivers in 2012 with 76 receptions, 886 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.  He made a career high four TD grabs in the championship game against Albany and provided a veteran presence to the Raider offense.  The Virginia Union product is the Raiders’ all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Coach James Fuller said, “I’m glad to have Herb back.  He was our most consistent receiver all season and a great red zone threat.”  Jones caught six touchdowns from within ten yards in 2012.

Stoudt will be back for his third year in the middle of the Raiders’ offensive line.  “It’s always good to have the anchor of your offense back,” said Fuller.  “Stoudt had a great season and was a big part of the offense’s success in 2012.”  The dependable center appeared in 12 of 14 games in 2012, and helped protect Raider quarterbacks who were sacked only 15 times.  A former University of Richmond Spider, Stoudt is currently an assistant coach at Hanover High School.

Carter will get back to work in the trenches for his second year as a Raider.  He appeared in nine regular season games and both playoff contests in 2012, and registered 2.5 sacks.  Coach Fuller said that Carter was “one of the most improved defensive linemen we had last year.  I only see him getting better after having a year under his belt.  Carter made some huge plays in crunch time,”  including his memorable momentum-changing interception against Albany (6/16) which he returned 23 yards for a touchdown that gave the Raiders the lead.  Carter played collegiately at North Carolina Wesleyan.

The 2013 season will begin in March, and the complete schedule will be released soon. The Raiders will play all their home games at the Richmond Coliseum.  Season tickets start as low as $30, and are available on the Raiders’ website, www.RichmondRaidersProFootball.com, or by calling 804-780-0430.  Again this year the Raiders will play in the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) and will look to take the next step after falling short in the championship game last year.