Sharks Secure First Team All-Arena Linebacker

Monday October 29, 2012

 Aaron Robbins returns to anchor Jacksonville pass rush

JACKSONVILLE – The 2012 South Division Champion Jacksonville Sharks announced Monday that Mac linebacker Aaron Robbins will return to the team to form a major part of the Sharks’ pass rush of the future. Robbins has been assigned to the Jacksonville roster on a two-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Since Aaron joined us in the middle of the 2011 season, he has been a leader and a captain on the defensive side of the ball,” Sharks Head Coach Les Moss said. “He is a champion, has been named first team all-league, and in my opinion is the best Mac linebacker in the league. We are extremely excited to have him back in Jacksonville.”

The 29-year-old Robbins recently wrapped up a stellar 2012 season in which he was selected to the All-Arena First Team, a distinction that ranks him as the league’s top Mac linebacker. Robbins started each of Jacksonville’s 18 regular-season games, racking up career highs with 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Robbins finished second on the team in each of those categories, tied for the team lead with three fumble recoveries and ranked second among Jacksonville defenders with two forced fumbles. Robbins also recorded two pass breakups and a quarterback hit.

Robbins’ sack total ranked second in the league among full-time Mac linebackers and tied for seventh in the league overall. He also led all Macs and ranked sixth in the league in tackles for loss. Robbins combined with Scooter Berry to form one of the top pass-rushing tandems in the league. The duo finished the year with a total of 21.5 sacks, the second-highest amount for any duo of defenders on a single team.

Robbins turned in some of his best work during the second half of the season, as he recorded his only two-sack game of the year in Week 12 against Orlando. He then finished the year strong with 2.5 sacks over the Sharks’ final four games.

2012 marked Robbins’ second year with the Sharks. He joined the team partway through the 2011 season, totaling 15.0 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.

In addition to winning ArenaBowl XXIV with the Sharks, Robbins was a member of the ArenaBowl XXIII-winning Spokane Shock in 2010. In what was his rookie season in the league, Robbins notched 4.0 sacks, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries with the Shock.

Before beginning his professional career, Robbins spent his collegiate career at the University of Wyoming, where he was a teammate of fellow Shark Isaac Morales. Robbins is a native of Aurora, Colorado and now resides in Jacksonville.

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the Arena Football League (AFL). The ArenaBowl XXIV and back-to-back-to-back South Division Champions are presented by Sea Best Seafood and play all home games on Sea Best Field at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Season Tickets for the 2013 season are now available, two tickets as low as $185. To reserve your season tickets or for more information, please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.