AFL Game Previews
May 29, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
The Southern Division leading Carolina Cobras (4-2) travel to sunny Central Florida to face division rival, the Orlando Predators (2-4), inside TD Waterhouse Centre this Friday at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Carolina's new starting quarterback JOHN FITZGERALD hopes to continue to ignite the Cobras 12th-ranked offense against the Predators' KENNY "The Glove" McENTYRE (six interceptions in as many games) and a stingy Orlando defense, second-best in the AFL. (Time Warner -- tape delay.)
Indiana head coach MIKE DAILEY looks to get his Firebirds (3-3) back to their winning ways when they host the Tampa Bay Storm (1-5) this Friday at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Storm head coach TIM MARCUM's sixth-ranked pass offense will be called upon to get a much-needed victory over the Firebirds' top ranked scoring defense. (Fox Sports Midwest, Sunshine Network)
Defending champion Grand Rapids Rampage (4-2) take their ArenaBowl trophy to Phoenix, Ariz., where 2002 Hall of Fame inductee DANNY WHITE and Arizona Rattlers head coach hopes his team can continue their quest for the crown this Friday at 10 p.m. (ET). Arizona's offensive line has been giving quarterback SHERDRICK BONNER time to throw a league-leading 36 touchdowns for Rattlers (5-1). Offensive star STEVE SMITH leads the Rampage offense against the Rattlers' fifth-ranked defense. (No TV)
Boasting a high-powered offense, the undefeated San Jose SaberCats (6-0) head cross-country to Western New York to take on the Buffalo Destroyers (3-3) this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Led by former UC-Davis quarterback MARK GRIEB, the SaberCats average a league-high 67.3 points each game and feature the AFL's best rushing offense, eating up nearly 200 yards for 17 touchdowns. While the Destroyers, No.4 in scoring defense, face a tough challenge against San Jose, their two-time Don't Blink! Player of the Year LAMONT COOPER plans to light up the field on kickoffs -- he's returned four for scores already this season. (NBC3/WB20 San Jose)
The close race for the Eastern division title continues this Saturday at Nassau Coliseum when the Toronto Phantoms (3-3) and their second-ranked scoring defense battle former New York Giant quarterback DANNY KANELL and the rejuvenated New York Dragons (2-4) at 7:00 p.m. (ET). (Fox Sports New York)
Two teams fight to snap their losing streaks and climb the ranks of their own respective divisions when the Georgia Force (1-5) and the league's top rusher TRAVIS REECE head to the Palace of Auburn Hills to face the Detroit Fury (1-5) this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ET). Fury lineman R-KAL TRULUCK, the AFL's 2001 Rookie of the Year, recorded a pair of sacks last week and has his sights set on Georgia's DONNIE DAVIS. (Turner South)
This Saturday at 10:30 p.m. (ET), the expansion Dallas Desperados (2-4) venture inside Staples Center to face the emerging Los Angeles Avengers (4-2), winners of two straight. While he's not as well known as, say, KOBE BRYANT, Avengers offensive specialist CHRIS JACKSON is the league's top scorer with 116 points, thanks to second-year quarterback TONY GRAZIANI. On the other side, Dallas, who has dropped three straight contests, boasts two-time ArenaBowl quarterback, ANDY KELLY and his chief target, rookie DIALLEO BURKS. (Fox Sports West 2, UPN 21 Dallas)
Signal caller BILLY DICKEN leads the Chicago Rush (3-3) against his former coach, FRANK HAEGE, and the New Jersey Gladiators (4-2) this Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena at 4:30 p.m. (ET). Dicken, with 33 passing touchdowns to his credit this season, won a championship in arenafootball2 under center for Haege in 2000. One year later, current Gladiators' quarterback and Chicago native JAY McDONAGH did the same for Haege and joined his AFL squad in New Jersey. (Fox Sports Chicago)
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 29, 2002
- Allentown's Bauldree Dies in His Sleep - Portland Forest Dragons
- Desperados Release Washburn - Dallas Desperados
- Birds of a Feather - Carolina Cobras
- The Deuce Scoop - AFL I
- Rampage's Terrill Shaw Placed on Injured Reserve - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL Game Previews - AFL I
- Avengers Attendance Up 71 Percent at Staples - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rampage Game Notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Avengers Game Notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
- Desperados make trade - Dallas Desperados
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