AFL Must-See Matchups
Published on June 5, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Analysis by Grand Rapids Head Coach MICHAEL TRIGG, Director of Arena Football Operations, Tennessee Titans, PAT SPERDUTO and Indiana Head Coach MIKE DAILEY. Trigg is one of only two people (JAY GRUDEN is the other) to earn an ArenaBowl title as a head coach and player, played quarterback for the Detroit Drive in 1989 and 1990. Sperduto, played OL/DL for the Tampa Bay Storm during their championship seasons in 1991 and 1993 and was a Storm assistant coach in 1995. He then guided the Nashville Kats as the head coach to back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001. Dailey won an ArenaBowl title and Coach of the Year honors with the Firebirds in 1999.
NO. 3 ORLANDO PREDATORS (13-4) at NO. 2 TAMPA BAY STORM (13-4) SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 3 P.M. ET (NBC)
QUARTERBACKS
TRIGG: Orlando QB JAY GRUDEN (6-1, 200, Louisville) continues to be a productive player over a decade since his first ArenaBowl title in Tampa Bay in 1991. Although he may not possess the athleticism or arm strength of many of his peers, he knows what he can and cannot do, which is to his advantage.
The former Louisville standout is a coach on the field. It goes without saying that Gruden knows what he wants to do with the ball on each play and you only call plays you're confident in. All of the intangibles of leadership, toughness and a will to win drive the Predators through Gruden. The clock is ticking when playing quarterback in your mid-30s and all he does is win football games (11-0 this season), especially in the playoffs (four ArenaBowl titles as a player and two as a head coach.)
Tampa Bay's JOHN KALEO (6-0, 205, Maryland) could be the most unheralded QB in the playoffs this year. The 10-year veteran has found a system that fits him perfectly. The Storm's Field General has the No. 2-seed and his first ArenaBowl championship in sight. Armed with the Dean of Arena Football Coaches, TIM MARCUM, and a tremendous Tampa playoff tradition, Kaleo may very well be on his way to earning the ring that only few can wear.
RECEIVERS
TRIGG: Orlando WR/LB CORY FLEMING (6-2, 218, Tennessee) was a huge addition in the offseason and is proving to be one of the best body receivers in the AFL in jump ball situations, short-yardage fades, slants and crossing routes. Fleming has adequate speed and phenomenal hands to make the big catch. Furthering the size mismatch of covering Fleming is you now have to tackle him, which is not easy and requires another player more often than not. Gruden also has speed at the receiver position with Rookie of the Year OS TRAVIS MC GRIFF (5-9, 180, Florida), an excellent return man who possesses quickness and acceleration.
Tampa Bay WR/DB FREDDIE SOLOMON (5-11, 185, South Carolina State)has great hands and can flat out fly. With the return of WR/DB T.T. TOLIVER (5-9, 170, Bethune-Cookman), the Storm have a double threat for Kaleo to lay the ball up to for quick scores. This duo can rack up big yards if Kaleo is on target. Add into the mix the All-Arena season of WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS (6-2, 200, Livingston) and his counterpart WR/LB DAVID SAUNDERS (6-3, 210, West Virginia), and the Storm have the balance compliment of tough underneath receivers along side the two speed merchants. Samuels and Saunders run the slants, slant & go's and crossing routes to perfection if defenses fall back in help coverage deep. Take all of this and know that WR/LB GARY COMPTON (6-2, 210, East Texas State) is on the bench ready to lend a future Hall of Fame hand if anyone is injured or not 100 percent, and it should give Kaleo a fearless attitude.
SECONDARY
SPERDUTO: Orlando secondary has long been one of the best in the AFL. The constant remains, KENNY MC ENTYRE (5-11, 180, Kansas State). He has made pick after pick in every big game. McEntyre's anticipation and ability to read the quarterback is very similar to a quarterback who reads a defense. He is always reading the route combos, which allows him to expect and jump as he sees fit. He has great ball awareness skills. Many guys can get there without the ability to finish â McEntyre almost always finishes. He takes risks which usually results in great rewards.
REGGIE DOSTER (5-8, 160, Central Florida) has been the compliment to McEntyre all season. He is a physical guy who needs some of that finish ability his partner has. RASHAD FLOYD (5-10, 180, Portland State), LAMONT MOORE (6-1, 190, Baylor), and GLENN DAVIS (6-0, 185, South Florida) have been holding down the backside. These three are not flashy but very effective. CORY FLEMING has made his living on finding away to get his hands on the ball. Fleming is overlooked on defense because he is so dominant on offense. But the big guy has produced when the money has been on the line. Rookie WR/LB THABITI DAVIS (6-2, 205, Wake Forrest) has a big body and will be groomed to start making those big plays on defense too.
SPERDUTO: Marcum-coached football teams always have defensive backs that are well coached and understand the concepts of the game. This year is no different. Second-Team All-Arena DS OMARR SMITH (5-10, 185, San Jose State) has followed in the footsteps of All-Arena players TRACEY PERKINS, JOHNNIE HARRIS, COREY DOWDEN and TOMMY HENRY. Smith has the footwork and ball skills to be the playmaker in the middle. He understands the angles and jumps the routes making plays on the ball.
Tampa Bay DS COREY SAWYER (5-10, 190, Florida State) is the physical force to match the big wideouts. He also has made the big plays, when given the opportunity. The return of T.T. TOLIVER has solidified the two-way spot. KEITA CRESPINA (5-8, 184, Temple) has been solid against backside receivers. Toliver, on the other hand, will give Tampa Bay another lock down man â not to mention a security blanket if a starter were to go out.
LINE AND LINEBACKERS
DAILEY: Orlando is coached by former Firebirds OL/DL FRAN PAPASEDERO, so I know first-hand how important line play is to their scheme. They are big and tough. ERNEST ALLEN (6-4, 300, Cincinnati) is a combination of size and quickness. He is some load to stop! E.J. BURT (6-2, 265, West Liberty State) has a great take-off and can really turn the corner. Orlando is solid in pass protection and is helped by a good core of fullbacks.
Tampa Bay has always prided themselves on great defense and it always starts with a relentless pass rush. The offseason additions of B.J. COHEN (6-2, 260, Marshall) and KELVIN KINNEY (6-7, 280, Virginia State) have added to a great group of veterans.
Rookie AL LUCAS (6-1, 294, Troy State) is very strong and can give good inside pressure. The Storm have an excellent three-step passing game and this will help with pass protection. They have always been great on the defensive line of scrimmage and this year they are doing a great job of protecting the quarterback.
SPERDUTO: The Storm has two studs at the jack-linebacker spot. LAWRENCE SAMUELS wins games for you with his physical play. If there is an interception, forced fumble or fumble recovery, you will probably see No. 22 on the scene. He is where the football is. DAVID SAUNDERS is a taller version of Samuels.
Tampa Bay's ANDRE BOWDEN (6-2, 260, Fayetteville State), BASIL PROCTOR (6-4, 275, West Virginia) and DAVID WHITE (6-2, 250, Nebraska) are a solid group for head coach, TIM MARCUM. Bowden and Proctor bring experience and could play a big factor in the playoffs. White, very similar to his position mates in size and aggressiveness, but has been slowed by injuries. This group of linebackers is rock-steady and that is what is needed in the postseason.
NO. 6 ARIZONA RATTLERS (12-6) AT NO. 1 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (13-4) SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 5:30 P.M. ET (NBC)
QUARTERBACKS
TRIGG: In a league filled with great quarterback's under center, Arizona's SHERDRICK BONNER (6-4, 240, Cal-State Northridge) emerges this year as First-Team All-Arena QB. This may be the toughest award to obtain given the field to choose from (AARON GARCIA, MARK GRIEB, CLINT DOLEZEL, JOHN KALEO, TONY GRAZIANI, JIM KUBIAK, ANDY KELLY and JAY GRUDEN) and is a tremendous compliment to how he is viewed by the AFL coaching ranks. Big in size and stature, his ability to scan the field is second to none. One of the quickest releases in the business, he makes all of the throws â from the side-arm delivery to off-the-back-foot-falling-away pass.
Bonner's experience in DANNY WHITE's offense gives the Rattlers a tremendous advantage parlayed in his execution of the plays. He is rarely sacked and knows when to hold it and when to fold it for another down. It's been nine years since he won his first ArenaBowl in 1994 and he is driven to capture another crown to add on to his Hall-of-Fame career.
TRIGG: The defending champions are loaded with talent. San Jose's MARK GRIEB (6-3, 205, CA Davis) provides one of the best quarterbacks in the business and the top SaberCat is hungry to win his own Arenabowl title this year after his untimely injury last season. Grieb's trademark is that he doesn't turn the ball over and takes what the defense gives him. Rarely does he force a ball into coverage or get confused by cover changes. That's the bad news for all teams in the playoffs with ArenaBowl XVII aspirations.
RECEIVERS
TRIGG: Ironman of the Year WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (6-0, 185, UNLV) would have been the Comeback Player of the Year last season if the AFL had that award. As another long-time veteran of the Rattlers, Gatewood continues to play two-way at the highest level, repeating another All-Arena and All-Ironman selection in 2003. He is great on the slant and underneath routes if the defense plays off in deep coverage.
Joining him is WR/DB RICKY PARKER (6-1, 190, San Diego State), who continues to improve as a two-way performer with good size and speed to offer on offense. OS ORSHAWANTE BRYANT (5-11, 190, Portland State) gives the Rattlers great speed and a second-level threat that goes after the ball deep. WR/LB TOM PACE 5-10, 199, Arizona State) can really fly and is an exceptional athlete who will make a name for himself in these playoffs or down the road.
The dagger to the heart in this attack is the ageless WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER (5-9, 190, UNLV). He is still playing the best weak-side linebacker in the business, returning kicks for touchdowns, making critical catches and running like a freight train downfield. All these accolades are secondary to the heartbeat he brings to the Rattlers as their leader. Even if his role has diminished a bit in favor of speed, all he continues to do is make plays, help his team win 12-plus games a season and be in the hunt year after year. Bonner, Gatewood and Cooper are certain Hall of Famers that still produce. You can never count out a White's team that continues to produce new weapons to compliment the three-headed snake.
TRIGG: San Jose's WR/DB BARRY WAGNER (6-4, 218, Alabama A&M) is still performing at the All-Arena level and is a size matchup for most defensive backs, especially in the red zone. He is a tremendous rusher in short yardage and goal line situations. WR/DB JAMES HUNDON (6-1, 176, Portland State) has quickness, acceleration and solid run-after-catch ability in the open field. WR/LB JAMES ROE (6-2, 196, Norfolk State) gives San Jose speed with long arms and range to go up after the ball.
Sprinkle in WR/DB KEVIN MC KENZIE (5-11, 185, Washington State) returning kickoffs for touchdowns and adding depth as an additional receiving threat. As if this weren't enough, you have JERRY REESE and AARON BAILEY (5-10, 190, Louisville) off the bench! Bailey and Reese are productive starters anywhere else in the AFL providing the SaberCats with the greatest arsenal of targets ever assembled on one sideline in our 17-year history. How can Grieb not be confident? Watch the scoreboard in the postseason light up like a pinball machine as they go for their first title defense.
SECONDARY
SPERDUTO: The Rattlers defense has seen quite a few changes throughout the course of the season. Finally settling into the middle-safety role is CLARENCE LAWSON (5-8, 180, Utah). His physical style poses a threat to all who come across the middle of the field. He is a sure tackler who gives a little bit of a cushion at times.
Arizona's HAMIN MILLIGAN (6-2, 190, Houston) and RICKY PARKER (6-1, 190, San Diego State) will share duties as the other defensive specialist position. Parker is a solid offensive player who has been a big-play guy as a defensive specialist. Milligan is a rookie with skills to make him a force in the secondary.
Eight-year veteran WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (6-0, 185, UNLV) has been incredible all year by picking off nine passes. He is that veteran who is always in the right place.
SPERDUTO: The best middle safety in the AFL is CLEVAN THOMAS (5-10, 197, Florida State). He is a guy who can catch and run with the motion man with a high rate of success. This skill is something that many have tried and most have failed. Thomas allows a good pass rush to be great. He will make the opposing quarterback hold the football," Sperduto said.
Second-year DS WENDELL DAVIS (5-11, 200, Oklahoma) is a solid complement to Thomas, Davis is a corner who physically can bump and jostle with the big receivers. He has solid cover skills and rarely has to mess with the motion man. ANTHONY COBBS (6-1, 201, UCLA) and six-time Ironman of the Year, Wagner, make up the two-way tandem. Cobbs has good cover skills. Wagner may have lost a step or two, but he knows all the angles and will not allow himself to be caught in a bad position.
LINE AND LINEBACKERS
DAILEY: San Jose has a lot of experience and depth, the Saber Cats are a force on both sides of the ball. SAM HERNANDEZ's (6-3, 255, Sanoma State) great up-the-field speed and willingness to go inside on an offensive lineman who sets him too wide or too short is always a problem for the opponent. CHUCK REED (6-2, 306, UNLV) is strong and attacks the fullback on slide protection. DARREN KENNEY (6-4, 277, Lycoming) anchors the offensive side of the ball. Watch out if JOE JACOBS (6-3, 274, Utah State) can come off the I.R. He is also a solid two-way player. San Jose can run the ball, which will help slow down their opponent's pass rush.
Arizona has a proven group of big people as well. They have been very good protecting the quarterback over the years. The Rattlers play hard and make the most of every opportunity up front. Five-year veteran SEBASTIAN BARRIE (6-3, 275, Liberty) is combative and has quickness. Along with NIKIA ADDERSON (5-11, 275, Houston) and BRYAN HENDERSON (6-3, 290, NW Oklahoma), Arizona can put a lot of pressure on the passer. Worth noting is SHERDRICK BONNER's quick release which also helps in the area of pass protection as he rarely hold onto the ball.
SPERDUTO: Four-year veteran JAMES ROE (6-2, 196, Norfolk State) has turned himself into a solid jack-linebacker. Roe, Wagner, and KEVIN MC KENZIE (5-11, 185, Washington State) will not hurt their team defensively. They have the ability to step up against the run and use their big bodies to get in passing lanes.
Jack-linebacker HUNKIE COOPER (5-9, 190, UNLV) is a true Ironman and has lined up down after down for many years. Cooper is one of the smaller linebackers in the AFL, but his lack of size has not stopped him from making most of the big plays in Rattlers history. Cooper is not only still making the big plays, but he is also in the process of grooming a budding star in TOM PACE (5-10, 199, Arizona State).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 5, 2003
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