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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Names Week's Best

May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Chicago Rush offensive specialist ANTONIO CHATMAN, Dallas Desperados offensive/defensive lineman TOM BRIGGS and San Jose SaberCats wide receiver/linebacker BARRY WAGNER have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 16 of the 2003 season.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Chatman (5-9, 180, Cincinnati), in his second AFL season, collected a career-high 13 receptions for 190 yards, 210 yards combined in kick returns and 400 total all-purpose yards, which set an AFL record with 3,678 all-purpose yards (previous record, Oklahoma's LAMONT COOPER, 3,459 in 2001) in the Rush's 46-43 playoff berth-clinching overtime victory over the Indiana Firebirds (6-10) on Sunday. The former BearCat and Offensive Player of the Year candidate added two touchdown receptions along with 55-yard kickoff return score early in the fourth quarter. This marks the first time Chatman has earned an AFL weekly honor.

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Briggs (6-5, 255, West Virginia), who is in his seventh season, led Dallas (10-6) on the defensive side of the ball in the Desperados' Central Division-clinching, 62-51, victory the Grand Rapids Rampage (8-8) on Sunday. The former Mountaineer recorded 2.0 total tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery for a touchdown, two pass breakups and a sack on his way to earning Ironman of the Game honors. The Lineman of the Year candidate led the AFL in sacks (10.5) while recording 41.0 total tackles, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 3.0 tackles for loss. This marks the first time that Briggs has earned an AFL weekly honor.

IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Wagner (6-4, 218, Alabama A&M), who is in his 12th season, led San Jose (12-4) with his two-way performance by hauling in three receptions for 24 yards and two touchdowns in the SaberCats' No. 1 seed, Western Division-clinching, 47-43 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers (11-5) on Saturday. On his way to Ironman of the Game honors, the former Bulldog added 3.0 total tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions – including a potential game-winning drive stop in the end zone late in the contest. This marks the record-setting 37th time Wagner has earned an AFL weekly honor.

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner, Dallas' Jim Kubiak, Las Vegas' Todd Hammel, New York's Aaron Garcia, Orlando's Jay Gruden, San Jose's James Hundon and Tampa Bay's Freddie Solomon.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates include: Buffalo's Dwaine Carpenter, Georgia's Scotty Lindsey, Indiana's Rich Young, Los Angeles' Damen Wheeler, New York's Rodney Filer, Orlando's Kenny McEntyre, San Jose's Barry Wagner and Tampa Bay's Corey Sawyer.

Ironman of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Randy Gatewood, Chicago's Cornelius Bonner, Dallas' Tom Briggs, Detroit's Herman Bell, Grand Rapids' Willis Marshall, Las Vegas' Coco Blalock, New York's William Holder, Tampa Bay's Antoine Toliver.

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