Soul add another receiver

PHILADELPHIA – The Soul have signed receiver Anthony “Tiger” Jones, continuing a free agent run at the Dallas Vigilantes.

Jones joins his former coach Clint Dolezel; quarterback Dan Raudabaugh; fullback Derrick Ross; and linebacker Joe Goosby in Philadelphia.

“We continue to make personnel moves that strengthen our chances to win the ArenaBowl,” said Soul general manager Tom Goodhines.  “With the addition of Tiger, we believe we have the best receiving corps in the Arena Football League.  Donovan Morgan, Tiger Jones, Jeff Hughley and Larry Brackins make for a pretty lethal group of receivers.”

Jones, who was awarded the AFL’s Cutter’s Wide Receiver of the Year in 2011, is coming off a career-best season with the Vigilantes.  He was on the receiving end of 171 passes, 2,232 yards, and 42 touchdowns on the season.  He was also awarded First Team All-Arena and received the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 18.  In his Week 18 match up versus the Jacksonville Sharks, Jones caught 17 passes for 208 yards and five touchdowns.

“Tiger is an extremely talented player,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank, who coached Jones with Georgia in 2008.  “He has tremendous passion for the game and earned my respect for the way he played, not just the statistics that he put up.  That type of attitude and drive is contagious and something the fans in Philadelphia will love.”

The All-Arena performer ranked No. 1 in receiving yards-per-game (124.0), receptions (171), reception yards (2,232), while finishing No. 3 in receptions-per-game (9.50), and No. 5 in the league in touchdown receptions (42).  On top of those statistics, Tiger had at least six catches every game, double-digit receptions in nine games, over 100 receiving yards in 10 games, and at least one touchdown in 18-of-19 games played.

Jones has spent time with the NFL’s Washington Redskins (2005), Georgia Force (2008) being named to the Arena Football League’s All-Rookie Team, and named Second Team All-Arena with the Milwaukee Iron (2010).

Tiger played collegiate football at the University of Louisville under former head coach Bobby Petrino.  He played in 51 games over three seasons, tallying 26 catches for 326 yards and four touchdowns and was part of the Cardinals team that played in the 2001 Liberty Bowl and the 2002 GMAC Bowl.