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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Week Three

May 3, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH - Los Angeles Avengers OS CHRIS JACKSON. Jackson (6-2, 205, Washington St.), in his third AFL season, currently leads the league in scoring (60 points), receptions (23), receiving yards (387), and is third in all-purpose yards (400). The offensive specialist is one of only two receivers in the league (Indiana's EDDIE BROWN is the other) to lead his team in every situational receiving percentage. Jackson also leads the league in "Money Receptions" (20) and his hot start to the 2002 season marks the best two-game span in Jackson's career.

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH - Toronto Phantoms OL/DL STEVE KONOPKA. Konopka (6-4, 305, Central Connecticut St.), in his third AFL season, is currently tied for the league lead in sacks (2.0), tied for third in tackles for loss (2.0), and second in forced fumbles (2). The anchor of the Phantoms' line is part of a defense that leads the league in fewest points allowed (33.5 PPG) and Red-Zone defense (45.5 percent), while ranking third in rushing defense (31.5 YPG).

IRONMAN OF THE MONTH - Arizona Rattlers WR/DB CHRIS HORN. Horn (5-9, 170, Montana St.), in his second AFL season, not only leads his team in many statistical categories, but also finds his name among the league leaders. The wide receiver-linebacker is third in the league in scoring (36) and receiving yards (224), while he ranks second in "Money Receptions" (13). In the return game, Horn is fifth in kickoff return yard average (24.5). On defense, he has recorded 6.5 tackles and defended two passes.

ROOKIE OF THE MONTH - San Jose SaberCats WR/DB CLEVAN THOMAS. Clevan (5-10, 191, Florida St.) provides a double-threat as the team's defensive specialist and primary kick returner. The former Seminole is fourth in the AFL in tackles (15.0) and is tied for second in interceptions (1). Along with leading the SaberCats defensive secondary, Thomas has accumulated 227 kickoff return yards (22.7 YPG), including a 58-yard touchdown return against Arizona on April 20.

KICKER OF THE MONTH - New York Dragons' CLAY RUSH. Rush (6-3, 220, Missouri Western), in his fourth AFL season, leads the circuit in kicking points (26) and field goals (6). The former All-Arena and Kicker of the Year performer has kicked a 45-yarder this season and his only misses have come from over 50 yards. Rush continues to prove his value to the Dragons by consistently putting the ball over the nets on kickoffs.

WEEK THREE INJURY REPORT

ARIZONA: OUT: DS Derek Stingley (Shoulder), DS Cecil Doggette (Knee); QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL John Peaua (Ankle), OL/DL Wendall Gaines (Elbow), WR/LB Bobby McGowens (Left knee), WR/DB Maurice Bryant (Hernia), PROBABLE: OL/DL Lindsay Hassell (Ankle), OL/Dl Joe Burch (Ankle).

BUFFALO: PROBABLE: WR/DB Carlos James (Knee), QB Fred McNair (Groin); OL/DL Kerwin Hairston (Thigh), OS Lamont Cooper (Low Back); QUESTIONABLE: WR/DB Eddie Brown (Knee).

CAROLINA: OUT: OL/DL Voncellies Allen, DS Robert Williams; QUESTIONABLE: QB Aaron Sparrow.

CHICAGO: OUT: FB/LB Jamie McGourty; PROBABLE: OL/DL Furnell Hankton (Lower extremity), OL/DL Anthony Hutch (Lower extremity), OL/DL Rich McKenzie (Lower extremity), OS Joe Douglass (Upper body), OL/DL A.J. Blazek (Lower/upper extremities).

DALLAS: OUT: OL/DL Tim Martin (Knee) , FB/LB Mike Osuna (Quadricep); PROBABLE: OL/DL Shante Carver (knee).

DETROIT: None reported.

GEORGIA: OUT: OL/DL Rupert Grant (Achilles), WR/DB Jason Bray (Hamstring), OS Tyronne Jones (Rib); PROBABLE: FB/LB Travis Reece (Shoulder), QB Kevin McDougal (Ankle), FB/LB Dan Curran (Neck), OL/DL William Gaines (Ankle); QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Robert Gaddy (Toe), OL/DL Mike Lawson (Toe), K Stan Whitlock (Knee).

GRAND RAPIDS: OUT: WR/LB Michael Baker; PROBABLE: DS JoJo Polk (Knee), OL/DL Joe Wylie, OS Terrill Shaw, FB/LB Chris Ryan, OL/DL Terry Grooms.

INDIANA: OUT: OL/DL Donnie Caldwell (Shoulder); QUESTIONABLE: FB/LB Evan Hlavacek (Knee).

LOS ANGELES: None Reported.

NEW JERSEY: OUT: WR/DB Coco Blalock (Achilles), DS Marc Williams (Knee); QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Hunter Adams (Hand), OL/DL Paul LaQuerre (Ankle), OL/DL Jamar Ward (Calf).

NEW YORK: None Reported.

ORLANDO: OUT: FB/LB Chris Johnson, FB/LB Brian Goolsby (knee), WR/DB Lamont Moore (thumb), QB Craig Whelihan (Knee); DOUBTFUL: QB Chris Wallace, WR/LB Junior Lord (shoulder); QUESTIONABLE: DS Richard Jones, OL/DL Angel Rubio (ankle).

SAN JOSE: PROBABLE: DS Wendall Davis (Quad), WR/LB James Roe (Turf toe), WR/DB Omarr Smith (Elbow); QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Joe Jacobs (Ankle).

TAMPA BAY: OUT: QB John Kaleo (Knee).

TORONTO: QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Connell Spain (Knee), PROBABLE: OL/DL John Summerday (Knee), WR/DB Ty Law (Quad), OL/DL Kevin Ingram (Wrist), OL/DL Jerald Long (Hand), WR/DB Damian Harrell (Hand).

RECENT ARENAFOOTBALL.COM POLL RESULTS

Q: WHO IS THE MOST UNDER-APPRECIATED STARTING QUARTERBACK IN THE AFL?
CHAD SALISBURY, Toronto - 23% (Phantoms off to a 2-0 start)
Other - 17%
KEVIN MCDOUGAL, Georgia - 16% (Force 1-1, lost by one to Carolina)
RAYMOND PHILYAW, Indiana - 16% (Firebirds 1-1, upset Grand Rapids)
BILLY DICKEN, Chicago - 15% (Rush off to a 1-1 start)
TONY GRAZIANI, Los Angeles - 13% (Avengers off to a 1-1 start)

In Week Two, San Jose's BOB MCMILLEN was recognized as the league's "ADT" Defensive Player of the Week. However, in a recent arenafootball.com Web poll, Chicago's CEDRIC WALKER took top defensive honors. Here the rest of the voting results.

Q: WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE "ADT" DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK?
CEDRIC WALKER (Chicago), 13 tackles - 54%
CHUCK LEVY (Detroit), 6.5 tackles, 1 for loss - 32%
CORNELIUS COE (Indiana), 4 tackles, 2 INTs - 7%
BOB MCMILLEN (San Jose), 5 tackles, 1 INT for TD - 5%
JAY JONES (Indiana), 8.5 tackles, 3 PD - 2%

QUOTES OF THE DAY

ON INDIANA FIREBIRDS DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST CORNELIUS COE.

"Some guys are good tacklers, and then there are some guys that have little bit of burst at the end who hit you with a lot of lead in their pencil. He's one of those guys." -- Indiana head coach MIKE DAILEY.

"You better know where he is on the field because he'll knock the crap out of you." -- Orlando Predators head coach FRAN PAPASEDERO.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 3, 2002


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