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AFL coaches look at stats and intangibles

September 9, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Detroit Drive News Release


When printing out all the statistics to examine on all the players in the Arena Football League's ‘free agent grab bag,' which was announced last week, the numbers overwhelm even coaches.

Many of the some 200 available players will start to sign with teams - maybe the organizations they were with last season or they will jump to others for various reasons - on Saturday, October 1.

Then again, this isn't rocket science or brain surgery. This is football, but every morsel of statistical information is taken into consideration. One AFL head coach, who asked for the proverbial identity disassociation, but was kind enough to give an explanation of how his organization determines if the player is worth chasing said there are three areas of concern.

THREE AREAS OF CONCERN

"The first thing is the level of ability and does his talent lend itself to our needs. Age is factored in at this point and how many years will he be available to us if we sign him to a two or three-year deal.

"The second biggest thing to consider is the price tag. Is this player going to ask for more than what his talent is worth or will he be realistic and understand what we have to spend and what we are attempting to put together as a winning team?

"The last, and probably the most important aspect, is the medical condition of the player. This is a business. You don't go in and buy a bolt and nut with stripped threads or some defective product. The player must be physically, and interestingly, even mentally ready, to provide us the kind of product we are paying for over a 16-game schedule and beyond."

Getting your bang for the buck is important. Fans want it, coaches want it and most importantly, the owners want it. That's why so many coaches pour over the players' paper work. However, the intangible is attitude. How the player will perform with the kind of mind-set, which is conducive to making a team successful on all cylinders.

POSITIONS CREATE EXCITEMENT

When looking at the next positions, these are the group that represents the second highest profile on the field next to the quarterbacks. Wide receiver-defensive back, receiver-linebacker and offensive specialists epitomize the reason the indoor game is a high-scoring, exciting and a worth while piece of the sports entertainment in this country.

There are total of 53 free agents in this group, 27 of them on the receiver-defensive back side. To fairly evaluate these, you must take stats on both sides of the ball, figure in any other valuable assets to come up with a commodity, which is worth more than the standard journeyman player in the AFL.

There are six who jump out and say, "Show me the money!" The money is all relative. This assemblage could cost, on an individual basis, owners from mid-five figures to just below the six figure mark. Base salary is one thing, but add the performance bonuses and these guys do very well.

Okay, let's get started with those evaluations that are painstakingly arrived at through extensive statistical research as well as discussions with coaches and player personnel types in the league. Sometimes, scouts and coaches downplay a player only because they want other teams to think the '50-yard field' player isn't worth pursuing.

‘SEDRIFFIC THE TERRIFIC'

Jumping out at No. 1 on the receiver/D-back ‘hit parade' is SEDRICK ROBINSON, who is a 5-year veteran after coming to the AFL from another indoor league in 2001. ‘Sedriffic the Terrific', as he was nicknamed in his rookie season (2001) with the Houston ‘Travelin' ThunderBears, is probably one of the most under-rated, versatile players in the league.

The former Kentucky Wesleyan product can catch and play defense, but Sedriffic provides kickoff and missed field goal runbacks, surprise package passing, special team coverages and placement holding on field goals and extra points.

The greatest thing about Robinson is his attitude. He will play anywhere he is asked and with the kind of intensity needed. In his first season with the ‘ Bears, he could take over a game with excitement and abandonment. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Robinson turned 30 on May 1, so he is a player with some very productive years ahead of him.

After Houston, Robinson played back-to-back seasons with the New Jersey-Las Vegas Gladiators and then was traded, by one of his favorite coaches in a deal that brought Clint Dolezel from Grand Rapids to Las Vegas. Sedrick never played in a Rampage uniform and was sent to the Columbus Destroyers in another trade.

VERSATILITY SELLING POINT

He had career highs in 16 (2004) games with Columbus in receptions (73), receiving yards (1,097) and touchdowns (19). He also led the team in kickoff returns (72), yards (1,580) and runback TDs (5). His career numbers aren't spectacular, but that's why all of his other attributes, including attitude, gives a team a special player who can motivate a squad.

Getting on with the ‘picks to click' are ORSHAWANTE BRYANT, BOBBY SIPPIO, CLIF DELL, ANTHONY DERRICKS, JUSTIN TAPLIN and DENNISON ROBINSON in the inside 30 group and CHARLIE DAVIDSON, BRET COOPER and BARRY WAGNER in the over 30 years of age veteran group.

Bryant (5-11, 190, Portland State) emerged four years ago (2002) as a definite two-way wonder. His ‘sophomore' season (2003) proved not to be a jinx and he caught 59 balls for 834 yards and 18 scores. At 26 he can cover and has 14 career pass breakups and six interceptions. He already collects about the same as Robinson (a touch under the league average) but could improve his position to the pay window for 2006.

SIPPIO OTHERS HAVE SPEED

Sippio (6-3, 215, Western Kentucky) has size and speed. He came to prominence with the Dallas Desperados and in two seasons has had good numbers. The 132 grabs with 2,035 yards and 52 touchdowns is his two-year total with the Despos, but his defense of nine pass breakups and four picks (2 TDs on defense) looks awfully impressive.

Dell and Derricks were with head coach Tim Marcum at Tampa Bay. Dell (6-0, 175) is a solid journeyman out of South Florida and will turn 30 before the 2006 season. He has six years in the AFL with 22 touchdown receptions on 72 catches being his second-best season. Derricks, 28, (6-0, 185, Mississippi State) has been with six teams but is famous for his AFL-record four kickoff return touchdowns and 336 return yards against San Jose in 2000. He also holds the AFL record for yardage average on kickoffs (25.1) in a season.

Quickly, look for teams to look at veterans Davidson (10 seasons), Cooper (12 seasons), DARRYL HAMMOND (14 years) and All-time Ironman Wagner, now 37, entering his 15th season. But the more attractive WR/DB's could be IRA GOOCH, CARL BOND or JOSEPH TODD.

LINEBACKER TOUGH POSITION

Moving on to the receiver/linebackers - there are 14 - including the likes of TOM PACE, JEREMY MCDANIEL and six-year veteran DAVID SAUNDERS. The 6-2, 205-pound Saunders had three and one-half successful years at Tampa Bay before being moved to the Grand Rapids Rampage. His career numbers warrant a hard look by a number of teams. They include 286 receptions, 3,435 yards and 77 receiving scores.

There also is LINDSAY FLESHMAN (6-2, 200, Nashville Kats), THABITI DAVIS (6-3, 210, New Orleans VooDoo) and TODD DOXZON (6-1, 196, NY Dragons).

Finishing up this installment with the offensive specialists and there are 12 of them on the 'frees' list. AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190) may be 33, but he can still produce as he has done in the first five years of his AFL stint. He has 402 career catches, 5,316 yards and 108 touchdowns and can return the ball also.

FEW OFFENSIVE SPECIALISTS

Now the second most recognizable player at this position is SIAHA BURLEY (5-10, 185, Arizona Rattlers) who got a look from the NFL Minnesota Vikings in pre-season but was released last week. Burley went from the Orlando Predators (he went to Central Florida) to the Los Angeles Avengers (2003) and the Rattlers (he is from Mesa, Arizona) where in 2005 he had season-highs in receptions (117), yards (5,278) and touchdowns (45). He has 121 career TDs.

There are three others who could change post office box numbers. TYRONNE JONES was at Philadelphia, MARKEITH COOPER went from Georgia to New York and TERRILL SHAW, a key in the Rampage run to a league title, was at Dallas last season.

The jury (coaches) is still out on many more in these three categories, but make no mistake about it, this could be the year of some major movement among teams, not only because of the salary cap, but because many will be looking for new homes. A fresh start sometimes in this business can rejuvenate the juices... even if you are over 30 years of age.

(Next: Final installment on defensive specialist & kickers)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 9, 2005


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.

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