AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Hot Questions

Published on May 1, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


What's wrong with the Fury? Averaging a league low 37 points while being outscored 71-31 in the first half alone, Detroit hasn't capitalized on last year's playoff experience.

After a 2-5 start last season, the Fury shook off the rust and won five of their last seven to make the playoffs, but is veteran passer RICKEY FOGGIE able to produce big numbers like he did in New Jersey and Florida (He is No. 10 all time with nearly 280 touchdowns)? He turns 36 in July but generated only 12 points in the first half of a 50-30 loss to the Phantoms.

Facing the possibility of matching their worst start in history, can the Storm find the answers without JOHN KALEO? The resurgence of Kaleo made the Storm nearly unstoppable through the first seven weeks last year, but after being injured in the opening game this season, Kaleo can only watch as SHANE STAFFORD, who has just nine games under his belt, tries to turn around Tampa Bay's 0-2 fizzle.

Did you know that this week's schedule of games marks the first time in league history that all will be played on the same day?

Is Storm boss, TIM MARCUM destined for a miracle worker-like job this year, energizing an unusually underachieving defense - currently giving up 56 points per game - and produce a replay of 2000 when the Storm rebounded from an 0-3 start to fall just 11 points shy of another ArenaBowl appearance?

Like any sport, every game counts, and the defending champs know that more than anyone. Is Indiana's 49-43 win over the Rampage a hiccup or a foreshadowing of what could be a reshuffling of division champs? Last year, the Rampage beat their toughest division opponent, the Firebirds, three times by an average of less than five points per game.

What's happened to CLINT DOLEZEL? A little rusty perhaps, but he's already thrown four picks to only nine TDs, unusual when he had just 10 picks last year (He was 3-3 in those categories in the loss to Indiana). The next two weeks are crucial for the Rampage, with the emerging Rush on the road this week before a particularly intriguing tilt against JAY GRUDEN and the Predators. Many have forecasted Dolezel as another Gruden, a tough winner at crunch time. Now's his chance.

Is New Jersey's JAY MCDONAGH on the same path as Chicago's BILLY DICKEN? The first-year starter is trying to do his best impersonation of one of the league's most exciting young passers. Similar to Dicken's fast start and eventual playoff success, McDonagh's 12 TDs have reenergized a usually lackluster team. Both 28-year-olds were former backups, coached by Gladiator coach, FRANK HAEGE in af2, leading the same team to separate championships - one went 19-0 the other, 18-1. Oh, did we mention McDonagh is from Chicago?

Is SHERDRICK BONNER on track for an MVP season? Behind his 31 completions for a first down or TD, the Rattlers are leading the league in TD Scoring Percentage at a 76.2 percent clip (16 TDs in 21 possessions) and the offense steaming ahead averaging 57 points per game, the highest average in team history.

Are the Phantoms Arena Football's hottest team? Upcoming games against the Rattlers and Firebirds will help answer that question. The Phantoms are leading the league in defense, giving up just 33.5 points, and are second in total offense. They haven't lost a regular season game since July 7, 2001, a stretch of seven straight games, and if not for a 45-38 loss at Nashville in the second round of the playoffs, they may have an ArenaBowl championship as well.

What's the secret to the Phantoms' success? Try squeezing every bit of effort from two-way players like ANTHONY DERRICKS, CHARLIE DAVIDSON, KERRY BROWN, and sack leader STEVE KONOPKA. The steady play of CHAD SALISBURY has also added a dimension to MARK STOUTE's offense that has left opponents scratching their heads, figuring out how to defend against them.

Could the Avengers be this season's most surprising team, Arena Football's answer to the NFL's Patriots? After winning just 8 games in the previous two seasons, the Avengers have a blowout win over New York and a 63-59 loss against Arizona under their collective chin. However, with stability at the quarterback spot, the signing of veteran two-way players as well as possibly the next best thing to sliced bread in CHRIS JACKSON, the Avengers are more competitive than ever and upcoming games against Dallas, San Jose, and Tampa Bay should go a long way in determining of the Avengers are playoff material.

Is Los Angeles' TONY GRAZIANI this year's next best thing - or will he struggle like other former NFL passers, with the pace and wear-and-tear of the indoor game (see PETER TOM WILLIS or BROWNING NAGLE)? The former is probably more likely as Graziani's shown his toughness by coming back from an injury last year, notching 11 TDs this year. He's currently leading the circuit with 34 completions for a first down or touchdown in 73 attempts - 46.5 percent of the time he's making progress or points.

As usual, GREG HOPKINS has changed the tempo and raised the stakes of the game. He's 8-for-8 in "money" situations - that is, he's made a first down or touchdown on every one of his receptions from Graziani. Jackson, similarly, is at the top of his game right now, leading his peers with 20 money receptions.

Can RAY BENTLEY infuse defense on a team that will need it, in case of injury to quarterback FRED MCNAIR? The Destroyers, last in the league with 60 points given up per game, are banking on the vet to push them ahead in the race for the division crown, but without a more balanced attack, Buffalo could have problems ahead with back to back games against the Fury before a showdown with Toronto and Grand Rapids, all featuring some of the league's top 10 defensive units.

Who's MATT NAGY? In one of the most impressive debuts for a starting quarterback, the rookie threw for 300 yards and seven touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter in a 69-54 win over the Destroyers. Eerily familiar to the Dragons under AARON GARCIA, Nagy's receivers were hot, including eight receptions each for rookie MIKE FURREY and STEVE PAPIN.

With Nagy's emergence as a potential full-time starter, Papin is now free to roam and make an impact like he did in San Jose. But can he add the oomph necessary for the Dragons to beat Toronto for the division crown or challenge Buffalo, with the addition of the Papin-like LAMONT COOPER?

Is CHRIS HORN another HUNKIE COOPER? Arizona's emerging star is third in scoring with 36 points, but he's adding plenty of punch on defense learning from the master, Cooper, who's still capable of making game-changing plays.

Is rookie ORSHAWANTE BRYANT the missing link for Arizona's playoff hopes? Fighting the injury bug and inconsistency at the OS position like CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER, MAURICE BRYANT, and HUNKIE COOPER the past few seasons, have caused coach DANNY WHITE to focus more on 'mending' rather than 'creating.' With Horn and Bryant in the mix, things have certainly changed. Every champion since the Rattlers won it in 1997 behind Schexnayder's acrobatics, have had a dominant rookie receiver, like Orlando's ROBERT GORDON and JOE DOUGLASS in 1998 and 2000, respectively, Albany's VAN JOHNSON in 1999, and Grand Rapids' RICKY ROSS last year.

Can Chicago's DAMEON PORTER put that cape back on, and come up with big stops and touchdowns? He already has one INT this season. With games against Grand Rapids and Tampa Bay dotting the road ahead, it's time for last year's surprise star to rise to the occasion.

Is SIAHA BURLEY a one-year wonder, or JAY GRUDEN's key for a division crown - and a trip back to the ArenaBowl? Burley's got 11 "money" catches, a sign he's ready to ascend in a division that's got both Carolina and Georgia playing top 10 pass defense.

Is former Florida State star, CLEVAN THOMAS this year's best rookie? He's leading the SaberCats in nearly every defensive category including returns and all-purpose yardage.

Why isn't CHRIS JACKSON playing in the NFL? The Avengers star is on track to break the AFL's scoring records - he's got 60 so far. Following a look-see with the Tennessee Titans, he chose to chisel a career indoors. Here's guessing a few pro scouts will be lurking around the Staples Center before too long.

Is Indiana's JAY JONES this year's DAMEON PORTER? With the loss of GREG HOPKINS to the Avengers, Jones has stepped in and emerged as a breakout Ironman of the Year candidate. He's got one of the best in GARY COMPTON to learn from - but by season's end it might Compton who's learning a few new tricks from this up and coming player.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 1, 2002


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