AFL honors five players with monthly awards
April 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Las Vegas Gladiators offensive specialist MARCUS NASH, Colorado Crush defensive specialist RASHAD FLOYD, San Jose wide receiver/defensive back RASHIED DAVIS, Indiana Firebirds quarterback ADRIAN MCPHERSON and Detroit Fury kicker MARK LEWIS have been named Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, U.S. Army Ironman, Rookie, and Kicker of the Month, respectively, for March of the 2004 season.
OFFENSIVE: Nash (6-4, 210, Tennessee) hauled in 46 receptions for 609 yards and 13 touchdowns during the month of March. He set Gladiator (3-5) single-game records on March 14 against Arizona when he recorded 16 receptions for 192 yards. Nash is the AFL's leading receiver in both in yardage (884) and receptions (77), while ranking No. 2 in touchdowns (19). He also leads the league in both scoring (128) and yards from scrimmage (896). For his efforts in the March 14 game vs. Arizona, the former Volunteer was honored as the Baby Ruth Real Deal Co-Offensive Player of the Week and the AFL Writers Association Player of the Week. This marks the first time that Nash has earned an AFL monthly award.
DEFENSIVE: Floyd (6-0, 200, Portland State), who is in his third AFL season, earned ADT Defensive Player of the Month honors by helping the Central Division-leading Colorado Crush (6-2) to a 3-1 record in March. The former Viking recorded 34.5 total tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Floyd, who leads the AFL in total tackles (63.5) and interceptions (5), also added a 4-yard net recovery for a touchdown in a Week 8 victory over the Arizona Rattlers and was named ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. This marks the first time that Floyd has earned an AFL monthly honor.
IRONMAN: Davis (5-10, 180, San Jose State) earned U.S. Army Ironman of the Month by helping the Western Division-leading SaberCats (6-1) to a 3-1 record in March. The second-year veteran, who leads the AFL with four kickoff returns for touchdowns, had 10 kickoff returns for 282 yards (28.2 YPR) with two touchdowns in March. He recorded 15 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown on offense. Defensively, Davis recorded 12.0 total tackles, an interception, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. This marks the first time that Davis has earned an AFL monthly award.
ROOKIE: McPherson (6-3, 189, Florida State) earned Rookie of the Month honors by leading the Firebirds (3-5) on a three-game winning streak, while becoming one of the rising stars of the AFL in the process. The 20-year-old phenom was 71-of-119 (59.7 percent) passing for 904 yards, 16 touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 17 times for 66 yards and eight touchdowns. McPherson currently ranks second in the AFL in rushing yards (144) and rushing touchdowns (11). This marks the first time that McPherson has earned an AFL award.
KICKER: Lewis (5-9, 180, Florida International) scored 36 points for the Detroit Fury (3-4) in March. He has made 27-of-29 PATS, with one of the two misses being blocked block. Lewis has also made 3-of-6 field goals with a long of 40 yards. Also, Lewis had two consecutive perfect onside kicks in Colorado that Detroit recovered in order to stay in the game. This marks the first time that Lewis has earned an AFL monthly honor.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
OFFENSIVE: San Jose QB Mark Grieb (February)
DEFENSIVE: Chicago OL/DL John Moyer (February)
IRONMAN: New Orleans FB/LB Dan Curran (February)
ROOKIE: Orlando QB Joe Hamilton (February)
KICKER: Los Angeles K Remy Hamilton (February)
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