AFL names players of the week
June 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Las Vegas wide receiver/defensive back COCO BLALOCK, Arizona Rattlers offensive/defensive lineman BRYAN HENDERSON and Colorado Crush wide receiver/defensive back WILLIS MARSHALL have been named Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player and U.S. Army Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 17 of the 2004 season.
Blalock (5-9, 175, Western Illinois), who is in his third AFL season, earned Offensive Player of the Week honors by leading the Las Vegas Gladiators (8-8) to a 64-51 victory over the Columbus Destroyers (6-10) on Sunday. He recorded eight receptions for 147 yards and five touchdowns. Blalock also added a rushing touchdown, 74 return yards and tallied 225 all-purpose yards. This marks second time that the former Leatherneck has earned an AFL weekly honor and second time this season (Week 12).
Henderson (6-3, 290, NW Oklahoma), who is in his second AFL season, helped lead the Arizona Rattlers (11-5) to a 50-43 No. 1 seed-clinching victory over the San Jose SaberCats (11-5) on Sunday. The Lineman of the Year candidate recorded 3.0 total tackles, 1.0 sack, blocked a last-second field-goal attempt and recovered it of a touchdown to seal the victory. The victory by the Rattlers, coupled with Chicago's loss to Colorado, gave the Rattlers the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This marks the first time that the former All-Rookie performer has earned an AFL weekly honor.
Marshall (5-9, 197, Youngstown State) led the Colorado Crush (11-5) in all facets during their 56-47 victory over the Chicago Rush (11-5) on Sunday. The four-year veteran recorded nine receptions for 98 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a rushing touchdown on offense. Marshall had three kickoff returns for 71 yards on special teams. On defense, he tallied 4.0 total tackles and forced a fumble. The victory by the Colorado prevented Chicago from securing the top seed in the playoffs. This marks the first time that the former Penguin has earned an AFL weekly honor.
Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Colorado's Willis Marshall, Detroit's Andy Kelly, Georgia's Dialleo Burks, Las Vegas' Clint Dolezel, New Orleans' Lamont Moore, New York's Kevin Swayne, Orlando's Cory Fleming, San Jose's Mark Grieb and Tampa Bay's Freddie Solomon.
ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Colorado's Rich Young, Detroit's Junior Lord, Georgia's Kevin Gaines, Grand Rapids' Cecil Doggette, Las Vegas' Cornelius Bonner, New Orleans' Chris Pointer, New York's Jermaine Miles, Orlando's Michael Brown and Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels.
U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included: Georgia's Robert Thomas, Grand Rapids' Josh Bush, Las Vegas' Coco Blalock, New Orleans' B.J. Cohen, New York's Chris Anthony, Orlando's Rupert Grant, San Jose's Shalon Baker and Tampa Bay's David Saunders.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 1, 2004
- Destroyers re-sign Polk to two-year extension - Columbus Destroyers
- Willis Marshall named Ironman of the Week - Colorado Crush
- L.A.'s Arnold Miller selected to AFL "All-Rookie Team" - Los Angeles Avengers
- Molden named to AFL All-Rookie team - Chicago Rush
- Desperados Weatherington Named to AFL All-Rookie Team - Dallas Desperados
- Coco Blalock named Arena Football League's Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Preds kicker Taylor on AFL All-Rookie Team - Orlando Predators
- Arena Football League names 2004 All-Rookie team - AFL I
- AFL names players of the week - AFL I
- Arena Football League 2004 season in review - AFL I
- Desperados Re-Sign Four - Dallas Desperados
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