The Tampa Bay Storm have resigned wide receiver Hank Edwards and acquired defensive lineman Richard Clebert from the Spokane Shock, announced Head Coach and General Manager Tim Marcum. "The return of Hank is big for this team," said Marcum. "He is an explosive receiver that is capable of putting up big numbers in every game. We still have a few more pieces to put together but this was a big step in the right direction." Edwards, (6-foot-3, 185 lbs., Texas Southern) who returns for his fourth season with the Storm, had a banner season in 2010 as he recorded 114 receptions for 1,749 yards and 36 touchdowns. On June 19, against the Utah Blaze, Edwards had a 195-yard 14-reception performance that led to the best three-game stretch in team history. Over the course of the next two games he became the first receiver in franchise history to record 200 receiving yards in a game and culminated the three-game stretch with 32 receptions for 576 yards and 12 touchdowns. For his career he has 32 starts in 33 regular season games with 221 receptions for 3,348 yards and 73 touchdowns. "We are happy to have Richard join the Storm and bring him back to Tampa Bay area," said Marcum about the former University of South Florida Bull. "We faced Richard in ArenaBowl XXIII and he did a good job on the defensive line." Clebert (6-0, 335, South Florida) started in all 16 regular season games during the 2010 AFL regular season for the Shock and recorded 12 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He also played a significant role in Spokane's win over Tampa Bay in ArenaBowl XXIII when he returned a fumble 35 yards to help set up Spokane's second touchdown of the night. During his time at USF he collected 77 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 38 career games for the Bulls. After his senior season at USF, Clebert was invited to mini-camp with the New Orleans Saints before being drafted by the New York Sentinels of the United Football League. The Storm are universally recognized as one of the leading teams in the Arena Football League, setting numerous attendance records in its 23 years. The team won world championships in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 2003, winning the last championship in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,496 at the St. Pete Times Forum. Fans can purchase season tickets for the 2011 Tampa Bay Storm season by calling 813.301.6600 or visiting tampabaystorm.com. Season ticket packages start as low as $50.
