AFL Week Two
April 25, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Can rookie SCOTT MILANOVICH or second-year back-up SHANE STAFFORD step in for JOHN KALEO to right the Storm? Without star JAMES BOWDEN, who left for the Gladiators, his job difficulty goes up a notch.
The SaberCats answered the call in a tough win over Arizona, but can they beat Tampa Bay for the first time in team history - and start the season 2-0 for only the second time ever? Since 1996, the Storm has taken all 5 match-ups including a 52-48 decision in their last meeting on July 24, 1999.
Will JAY GRUDEN be able to avoid leading the Predators to another winless April like last season? Odds are that he'll settle down and return to form.
Is DANNY RAGSDALE the answer for the Dragons? He'll need to shake off a miserable performance against the Avengers, and get the Dragons back in contention. Last year, the Dragons started the season 2-3 before winning 6 of 9 to make the playoffs.
Is FRANK HAEGE a soothsayer or risky gambler? With the starting nod handed to former af2 star, JAY MCDONAGH over GLENN FOLEY, the Gladiators looked more competitive than in many seasons in a 53-51 loss to Buffalo - and McDonagh looked like another former af2 star, BILLY DICKEN who stepped in for a wounded Chicago team last year and led them to a first round playoff win.
How will McDonagh fare against a Dallas team that held Carolina's quarterbacks to only 16 completions and 150 yards?
Is CHRIS JACKSON this year's EDDIE BROWN? With 30 points in his first game, Jackson may emerge as the league's most productive receiver.
Is KEVIN MCDOUGAL the answer in Georgia, a team that lost many starters from last year's ArenaBowl team? After shining in a win over Orlando, the former Notre Dame star could have a Dolezel-like breakout season.
Is ROBERT GORDON the real deal? He'll need to continue the pace he began last season, before falling off, if the Fury are going to be able to break in a new quarterback.
The Fury does have last year's Rookie of the Year back, R-KAL TRULUCK, but can he make them even tougher than last year in order to challenge the Rush who boast lineman JAMES BARON.
In Dallas, will ANDY KELLY find the same magic with former Volunteer ANDY MCCULLOUGH as he did with CORY FLEMING in Nashville?
How will Chicago's DAMEON PORTER respond to last year's remarkable season, when he collected 12 interceptions?
Is there a tougher receiver than Chicago's JOE DOUGLASS? Is another 250-plus all-purpose yard performance in the cards for the rising star against the Predators? Orlando gave up 2 kickoff return TDs last week against Georgia.
Will AARON BAILEY be the missing weapon for the Cobras? They were teased last year with the emergence of CARL BOND, before he drifted by mid-season, but Bailey could be the real deal with plenty of NFL experience.
While most hedged putting the Rattlers on the shelf (see Antique store), fantastic efforts by rookie ORSHAWANTE BRYANT, CHRIS HORN, and a sharper-than-expected SHERDRICK BONNER against the SaberCats, DANNY WHITE may have his most exciting and focused team in the past few seasons.
Is FRED MCNAIR the answer for the Destroyers? Could be intriguing to watch with former two-time world champ, BRET COOPER and the league's top return man, LAMONT COOPER in the stall.
Is CLINT DOLEZEL going to do his best JAY GRUDEN impersonation this season? Chances are, with stud TERRILL SHAW back after winning the ArenaBowl's MVP award, he'll begin re-writing record books.
AARON GARCIA is with the 49ers. KEVIN SWAYNE with the Jets... any other team that lost their top pass and catch combo - perhaps the best in history? How will the Dragons fill that combination?
WEEK TWO INJURY REPORT
ARIZONA: OUT: Jeff Macrea (Right leg), Derek Stingley (Shoulder); DOUBTFUL: Maurice Bryant (Hernia), Bobby McGowens (Left knee), Wendall Gaines (Elbow).
BUFFALO: PROBABLE: Prentice Taylor (Knee)
CAROLINA: OUT: Voncellies Allen, Robert Williams
CHICAGO: OUT: Jamie McGourty; PROBABLE: Furnell Hankton (Lower extremity), Anthony Hutch (Lower extremity)
DALLAS: OUT: Tim Martin (Knee) , Mike Osuna (Quadricep); PROBABLE: Shante Carver (knee)
DETROIT: OUT: Ty Grovesteen (Hamstring), Errick Herrin (Hip)
GEORGIA: None Reported
GRAND RAPIDS: OUT: JoJo Polk (Knee) PROBABLE: Joe Wylie, Chris Ryan, Jason Walters; QUESTIONABLE: Terrill Shaw (Foot)
INDIANA: OUT: Donnie Caldwell (Shoulder), Evan Hlavacek (Knee)
LOS ANGELES: None Reported
NEW JERSEY: OUT: Jamaine Blalock (Achilles); QUESTIONABLE: Hunter Adams (Hand), Chris Pope (Chest), Paul LaQuerre (Ankle)
NEW YORK: None Reported
ORLANDO: OUT: Chris Wallace, Chris Johnson, Brian Goolsby (knee), Lamont Moore (thumb), Junior Lord (shoulder), Craig Whelihan (Knee), Angel Rubio (ankle).
SAN JOSE: PROBABLE: James Hundon (Elbow), James Roe (Stinger), Barry Wagner (Lower leg), Matt Kinsinger (Ankle)
TAMPA BAY: OUT: John Kaleo (Knee)
TORONTO: OUT: Connell Spain, Kerry Brown
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 25, 2002
- Phantoms Make Good on Guarantee - Toronto Phantoms
- Fury Fall to Phantoms - Detroit Fury
- The Deuce Scoop - AFL I
- AFL Week Two - AFL I
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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