During this offseason, the Pirates have signed former NFL wide receivers Isaac Zico, Teo Redding, and Jalin Marshall to bolster their offensive passing attack for the 2022 season. Zico, Redding, and Marshall join the Pirates wide receiver corps along with Pirates’ 2021 top receiver Thomas Owens. In 2021, the Pirates had the fourth-best passing attack in the league and ranked second in the IFL with 2,262 passing yards. With these additions, the offense has the talent level to be even better than last season.
Isaac Zico was re-signed during December and was a part of the Pirates last season but didn’t appear in any games. Before joining the team, Zico played for the Spring League as a part of the Lineman and won the league’s Mega Bowl. In that game, Zico caught 3 receptions for 40 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the game-winning 16-yard touchdown reception. Before playing in the Spring League, the 6’1”, 200 lb. wideout played in the NFL during the 2019 season with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals and then played in the CFL during the same year.
Teo Redding was signed in early January and will be going into his debut season in arena football and the Indoor Football League. Redding was a member of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League last season but didn’t appear in any games. During 2020, Redding played in the XFL as a member of the New York Guardians and posted eight receptions for 102 yards over 5 games. The 6’1”, 180 lb. wideout has spent time in NFL during 2019 on the practice squads of the Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team, and Green Bay Packers.
Jalin Marshall was signed in late January and is also making his debut in the IFL, but has experience playing in three other professional leagues such as the NFL, CFL, and AAF. The product out of Ohio State, most recently played in the Canadian Football League from 2019-2021 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and appeared in nine games making ten receptions for 159 yards. Before joining the CFL, Marshall played in the AAF during 2019 and caught 26 receptions for 364 yards with three receiving touchdowns. During his time playing in the NFL, the 5’10”, 200 lb. wideout played for the New York Jets from 2016-2018 and the Oakland Raiders in 2019. In 2016 was when Marshall got the most action in the NFL and finished the season with 14 receptions for 162 yards with two scores.
These moves give Pirates quarterback Alejandro Bennifield a few more reliable weapons to help him repeat his impressive 2021 performance. With around two months until the season begins, the Pirates still have a lot of time to continue to bolster their offense to help them defend their title.
The 2021 United Bowl Champions; Massachusetts Pirates are members of the Indoor Football League (IFL). The Pirates play all home games at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St. Worcester, MA, 01608. For more information on the Massachusetts Pirates please call (508)452-MASS (6277), email contact@masspiratesfootball.com or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com. For 2022 season, half-season, luxury, or group ticket packages please call 508-452-MASS (6277) or visit http://www.masspiratesfootball.com/tickets. Follow the Pirates on Facebook via Facebook.com/MAPirates, Instagram @mass.pirates, and Twitter @mass_pirates