af2 Players Making Adjustments In AFL
March 24, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - As the ninth season of af2 officially kicks off on Friday, March 28, many current AFL players and coaches who participated in af2 are eager to see who will win ArenaCup9 at seasons end. An all-time high 163 former af2 players made final AFL rosters or were assigned to practice squads during opening week this season.
All five major af2 player award winners from 2007 signed with AFL teams this season.
New York Dragons DB LEVY BROWN tied for the League lead in interceptions (14), finished second in tackles (132.5) and fourth in passes defensed (41) for the Florida Firecats in 2007 on his way to being named af2's ADT Defensive Player of the Year.
In his first four AFL games with New York this year, Brown has made a significant impact, ranking second in the League in interceptions (4) and winning ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 3.
While Brown's ascension from af2 to AFL has been seamless to date, Cleveland Gladiators DB ALEX TEEMS has noticed many differences from his days with the Spokane Shock, where he led the team in tackles (98) and passes defensed (30) in 2007.
"The speed of the game is the biggest difference," remarks Teems. "The receivers are bigger and they run better routes. From the playbooks to the coaching staff, everything in the AFL is more intense. There is definitely talent in af2, but the guys in the AFL are the best at what they do."
Teems has gelled thus far with the Gladiators, as he is tied for fourth on the team in tackles (11.0). Even though he is far from Spokane, Teems has faith that his former Shock teammates will win ArenaCup9.
"Spokane will win ArenaCup9," he exclaimed. "They do everything the right way. It helps to have the best fans in af2."
Los Angeles Avengers K DAVID DAVIS is also making his way as a rookie after leading af2 in PAT percentage (94.3) en route to being named af2 Kicker of the Year last year. The former USC Trojan returned to southern California after four years with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and is now tied in PAT percentage among rookies (88.0) and ranks second in points (30).
"Things are going well here with the Avengers," said Davis. "I'm excited. It's a great feeling to know that all of the hard work I put in af2 is paying off. The talent level around me has certainly increased, but other than that, there has been no huge adjustment."
Davis also predicts his former team, who lost in ArenaCup8, will return and take the championship in 2008.
"I've got to go with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton," he explains. "Coach Ingold runs a tight ship and he's going to get those guys ready."
2007 Schutt Offensive Player of the Year QB RYAN VENA (New York Dragons) and Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year DL ELEX REED (Cleveland Gladiators) have been placed on injured reserve. Spalding Rookie of the Year DB CHRIS ROYAL is currently on the practice squad of the Cleveland Gladiators.
The af2 season officially gets underway on Friday, March 28, when the Quad City Steamwheelers host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers at 8:30 p.m. ET.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
