AFL Must-See Matchups
April 10, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
ARIZONA QB SHERDRICK BONNER vs. LOS ANGELES QB TONY GRAZIANI
NEW YORK â The "Drive to ArenaBowl XVII" continues this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET, when Los Angeles QB TONY GRAZIANI and the top-ranked Avengers (8-2) host Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER and the Rattlers (5-5) in a Western Division showdown.
In his fourth season, Graziani (6-3, 210, Oregon) has guided the Avengers' to the No. 2-ranked scoring offense (57.5 PPG) and has his team rolling on a five-game winning streak. The left-handed passer has completed 196-of-311 pass attempts (63.0 percent) for 2,714 yards, 60 touchdowns (AFL No. 2) and nine interceptions this season, earning Offensive Player of the Week honors twice.
Arizona's front line has kept nine-year veteran QB SHERDRICK BONNER well-protected in the eight games he's played to date, allowing just two sacks. Bonner (6-4, 240, Cal St-Northridge) boasts the AFL's fourth-best passer rating (120.5) and fifth-best pass completion percentage (66.5), connecting on 151-of-227 attempts for 1,920 yards and 46 touchdowns (five picks). He surpassed the 25,000-yard passing mark last week, becoming only the third AFL quarterback to accomplish the feat (Detroit's ANDY KELLY, New York's AARON GARCIA).
This Sunday marks the 100th regular-season game for Bonner, who needs eight touchdown passes to reach the 500-career mark. While Graziani has played in virtually one-fourth that amount, his first three seasons outpace Bonner's.
GRAZIANI VS. BONNER, FIRST 27 REGULAR-SEASON GAMES
PLAYER COMP ATT YARDS TD INT
Sherdrick Bonner 393 660 4,991 89 20
Tony Graziani 501 815 6,544 134 19
DALLAS OL/DL TOM BRIGGS vs. INDIANA OL/DL HUGH HUNTER
A race for the quarterback will be the focus when Dallas and the AFL's sack leader, TOM BRIGGS (6-5, 255, West Virginia) face Indiana and defensive force OL/DL HUGH HUNTER (6-2, 265, Hampton) in this battle of Lineman of the Year candidates at Conseco Fieldhouse, Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
Briggs' ability to apply pressure with both a strong bull rush and quickness make him one of the AFL's most dangerous pass rushers. The former Mountaineer leads the AFL in sacks (8.5), while the Desperados lead the League in sacks (19) and are No. 7 in sacks allowed (8). Hunter leads the Firebirds in sacks (4.5, No. 4 in the AFL.) The five-year veteran's quickness off the ball and pure strength are the reasons why offensive coordinators adjust blocking schemes to provide the needed protection against the former Pirate.
CHICAGO OS ANTONIO CHATMAN vs. COLORADO OS JOE DOUGLASS
Two of the AFL's best return specialists go head-to-head at Pepsi Center, Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. Chicago OS ANTONIO CHATMAN (5-9, 180, Cincinnati) battles former teammate OS JOE DOUGLASS (5-10, 185, Montana), who played for the Rush from 2001-02, for bragging rights in return game supremacy.
Chatman, a former BearCat, is a shifty runner with explosive speed who leads the AFL with 2,179 all-purpose yards. He is on pace to record 3,486 all-purpose yards, which would be the highest total in League history (3,459 yards by LAMONT COOPER in 2001). Chatman is also among the League leaders in 12 other categories, including scoring (132), receptions (73) and kick return touchdowns (4). Chatman has recorded at least 100 all-purpose yards in every game he has started.
Douglass, a former Grizzly, was selected with the first pick in the Expansion Draft by Colorado from the Chicago Rush. In addition to having a pair of the best hands in the AFL (84-percent catch percentage), the four-year veteran is known for his ability to break tackles and pick up yards after the catch. Douglass is also among the League leaders in all-purpose yards (1,502) and kick return yards (856).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 10, 2003
- SaberCats Sign DS Hamin Milligan - San Jose SaberCats
- L.A. Avengers lend hand to 'Operation Home Front' - Los Angeles Avengers
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- Buffalo Goes For Two In A Row In Orlando - Buffalo Destroyers
- Rush Partners with Easter Seals - Chicago Rush
- New York Dragons Game Notes - New York Dragons
- Dragons Make Several Roster Moves - New York Dragons
- Rattlers Hope to Stop Avengers - AFL I
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