AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Weekend Previews

March 5, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Some individual matchups are worth the price of admission. This Sunday's game between the San Jose SaberCats (3-2) and Chicago Rush (2-3) features one of those matchups. San Jose defensive specialist-kick returner CLEVAN THOMAS and Chicago offensive specialist ANTONIO CHATMAN will go head-to-head numerous times in this week's most prominent "Must-See Matchup" at the Allstate Arena on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBC.

The two stars continue to show that there is no such thing as a "Sophomore Jinx".

Thomas, the defending ADT Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year, currently leads the AFL with seven interceptions including three he has returned for touchdowns. Chatman, who was an All-Rookie performer in 2002, leads the Rush in receptions (42), receiving yards (497) and touchdowns (6). Both emerging stars also lead their respective teams in kick-return yardage.

The last time the two teams met – San Jose won 74-68 last season – was a kick-return showdown between Thomas and Chatman. Thomas, a former Florida State Seminole, earned MVP honors by recording 252 kick-return yards (including three touchdown returns) and an interception. Chatman, a former Cincinnati BearCat, countered with 245 kick-return yards and 109 receiving yards for the Rush.

The game also features the No. 1 scoring offense (San Jose, 64.4) against the No. 1 scoring defense (Chicago, 37.4). Both teams are among the hottest in the AFL with both riding two-game winning streaks.

Chicago quarterback BILLY DICKEN has completed 42 of 62 passes for 475 yards and 10 touchdowns in their past two wins. San Jose has outscored opponents 152 to 77 in those games. The SaberCats' MARK GRIEB has completed 68.5 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and no interceptions in the past two games.

Other games for Week 6 include: Colorado Crush at Dallas Desperados and Detroit Fury at Arizona Rattlers on Friday; Buffalo Destroyers at Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday; Las Vegas Gladiators at Carolina Cobras, Grand Rapids Rampage at Georgia Force (NBC), Los Angeles Avengers at New York Dragons (NBC) and San Jose SaberCats at Chicago Rush (NBC) on Sunday; Indiana Firebirds at Orlando Predators on Monday.

COLORADO CRUSH (1-4) AT DALLAS DESPERADOS (3-2) FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 8:30 P.M. ET

Fresh off the franchise's first victory, Crush QB JOHN DUTTON (16 TDs and 833 yards in the last three games) looks to keep the momentum going. Offensive specialist DAMIAN HARRELL (102 points, No. 1 in AFL) and WR/LB JOE DOUGLASS (19 receptions, 260 yards and 5 touchdowns) have been the receivers getting the headlines for Colorado Head Coach BOB BEERS. Harrell has caught every ball thrown his way in "3rd and Long" situations – four receptions and two touchdowns. Week 6 ADT Defensive Player of the Week, ADRIAN LUNSFORD, has provided the spark on defense by tallying 7.5 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the last two games. For Dallas, Week 6 Offensive Player of the Week QB JIM KUBIAK (18 touchdowns and only two interceptions over the past three games) continues to be one of the hottest quarterbacks in the AFL. Kubiak is 4-for-4 in 4th-down situations in 2003. Dallas WR/LB DIALLEO BURKS is on a hot streak – tallying 23 receptions for 318 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games.

DETROIT FURY (3-2) AT ARIZONA RATTLERS (2-3) FRIDAY, MARCH 7 AT 9 P.M. ET (TV: FOX SPORTS DETROIT – MARK CHAMPION and JIM BRANDSTATTER)

The excitement of this matchup starts at the quarterback position – SHERDRICK BONNER vs. ANDY KELLY. The two find their names amongst the all-time leaders in most passing categories. Bonner is completing 75 percent (21 of 28) while throwing six touchdowns against no interceptions on 2nd down. Kelly hopes to remain the League's all-time leading passer. Kelly and New York's Garcia are in a race to be the first player in professional football to throw for over 500 touchdowns in a career (Kelly 486, Garcia 480). Ironman WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD and DS MARK RICKS have combined for seven interceptions in the last four games. The Detroit line has provided solid protection for Kelly by only allowing one sack (No. 1 in the AFL) this season – it came on a 3rd-down situation. Five Detroit receivers (JUNIOR LORD, MARCUS NASH, TY GROVESTEEN, JASON KAISER and SULECIO SANFORD) have recorded at least 18 receptions in 2003.

BUFFALO DESTROYERS (3-2) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (3-2) SATURDAY, MARCH 8 AT 8 P.M. ET

The AFL's second-best scoring defense travels to Florida to face the No.4-ranked scoring offense when Buffalo takes on Tampa Bay this Saturday. On a two-game winning streak, the Storm have averaged 60 points in both contests. Led by veteran QB JOHN KALEO, Tampa Bay is stocked with a pair of the League's elite receivers – FREDDIE SOLOMON and CLIF DELL, who have combined for 114 points (40% of team total). The Storm has scored 10 rushing touchdowns, their ground offense guided by FB/LB DAVID WHITE. Lurking in the backfield are Tampa Bay ball hawks COREY SAWYER and OMARR SMITH, who lead the Storm's 7th-ranked defense. The Destroyers defense, led by DS DWAINE CARPENTER and DS JOJO POLK (5 interceptions combined), boasts the AFL's best red-zone defense (allowed scores in 12 of 17 attempts) and ranks as one of the best at stopping opponents on 4th down conversions (1 of 5 attempts). Their offense currently ranks 14th in scoring (41.0 PPG) and will be looking to QB TIM CAREY and their team's top receivers – former Tampa Bay OS GUNNARD TWYNER and CORNELIUS WHITE – for a spark in point-production. Buffalo also owns the League's second-best turnover margin, +7.

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (2-3) AT CAROLINA COBRAS (0-5) SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT NOON ET

Focused for their first win this season, the Cobras host the Gladiators' 5th-ranked defense on Sunday. Led by DS DAMON MASON and DS JEROID JOHNSON, Las Vegas holds the second-best opponent 3rd-down conversion percentage – stopping their drives on 11 of 29 attempts. On offense, QB JAY MCDONAGH's primary target continues to be OS MIKE HORACEK, who has 408 receiving yards and eight scores combined in last three contests. McDonagh has been effective running the ball as well for the Gladiators 5th-ranked rushing offense, adding four touchdowns to SEDRICK ROBINSON's three rushing scores this season. The Cobras are tied for the top red-zone offense (with San Jose), scoring on all of their 11 opportunities inside the 10-yard line. Former starting QB ROBERT HALL may continue to see time at receiver because of an injury to OS BEN BRONSON. Veteran BERNARD HOLMES returns to the lineup for Carolina this week, their go-to guy on 22-percent of 3rd-and-long attempts.

GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (4-1) AT GEORGIA FORCE (3-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 9, NOON ET (TV: NBC – ELI GOLD and CHARLES DAVIS)

The Rampage not only bring the No. 2-ranked scoring offense to Georgia when they face the League's top defense on Sunday, but also carry the second-best record. Grand Rapids posts more than 60 points per game and is led by one of the AFL's elite quarterbacks, CLINT DOLEZEL, who ranks fourth on the career passing touchdowns list. With targets like TERRILL SHAW (8 touchdowns in last two games) and STEVE SMITH (10 touchdown receptions this season) and the No. 6-ranked rushing offense, Grand Rapids leads all AFL teams in 3rd-down conversions, advancing on 18-of-25 attempts. CECIL DOGGETTE, SHEA SHOWERS (11 pass breakups) and sack-monster ISRAEL RAYBON (3.0, tie-No. 2 overall) lead Grand Rapids' defense. Guided by DS KEVIN GAINES (4 interceptions, 8 pass breakups) and WR/DB JARRICK HILLERY, Georgia's stingy defense continues to halt their opponents' offensive efforts. The Force have excelled in their rushing game (26.2 yards/game, 10 touchdowns - 3rd overall), led by FB/LBs DAN CURRAN and TRAVIS REECE (3 rushing scores apiece). Former Georgia Tech QB DONNIE DAVIS continues to possibly their first-ever postseason appearance with DARRYL HAMMOND and TYRONNE JONES as his primary scoring targets.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (3-2) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (0-5) SUNDAY, MARCH 9 AT NOON ET (TV: NBC – TOM HAMMOND, PAT HADEN and LEWIS JOHNSON)

It's an East-meets-West matchup when New York hosts Los Angeles on Sunday at Nassau Coliseum. Guided by AARON GARCIA, who holds the best touchdown-interception ratio (36-2) and completion percentage (68.3) among AFL passers this season, the Dragons are the League's top offensive unit (329.8 yards/game). Garcia remains on pace to throw for more than 5,300 yards and 115 touchdowns. New York is armed with threats like scoring sensation MIKE FURREY (98 points, No. 2) and veteran receiver KERRY BROWN. The Dragons are No. 2 when it comes to 3rd-down conversions, advancing on 61-percent of their attempts (14 of 23). For Los Angeles, the scoring-tandem of CHRIS JACKSON and GREG HOPKINS continues to produce solid numbers, accounting for 48-percent of their team's scoring output (136 points) and keeping L.A.'s offense at the No. 5 spot. Jackson will look to create space for himself in the New York's secondary – opening up opportunities for quarterback TONY GRAZIANI (27 touchdowns, 7 interceptions) to find Hopkins, KEVIN INGRAM and SIAHA BURLEY. The Avengers' kickoff coverage has also been tops, allowing a League-low 15.7 yards per return.

SAN JOSE SABERCATS (3-2) AT CHICAGO RUSH (2-3) SUNDAY, MARCH 9, NOON ET (TV: NBC– MIKE BREEN, RAY BENTLEY and MARTY SNIDER)

The SaberCats are currently tied atop the Western Division standings and have put up at least 70 points in three games this season – including the last two games. San Jose Head Coach DARREN ARBET touts the League's top scoring offense (64.4 PPG) while also leading in turnover ratio (+13). On the other side, Chicago Head Coach MIKE HOHENSEE has the AFL's top scoring defense that allowed only 37.4 PPG (No. 1 in AFL) and 221.6 YPG (No. 2 in AFL). The Rush throw to ANTONIO CHATMAN 35-percent of the time on 1st down and 22 of his 42 receptions have come on 1st down. The Rush defense allowed a franchise-low 13 points to Buffalo this past weekend. It was the fewest points allowed in the AFL since Indiana only gave up 6 points to Milwaukee April 19, 2001. San Jose looks for JAMES ROE 28-percent of the time on 1st down – sixteen of Roe's 26 receptions have been on 1st down.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS (3-2) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (5-0) MONDAY, MARCH 10, 7:30 P.M. ET

As the AFL's lone undefeated team, the Predators have a bull's eye on their back and taking aim this week are the Firebirds. Indiana's EDDIE BROWN (32 receptions, 432 yards and six touchdowns) will look to pick up the slack with the absence of BRETT BECH, who was placed on injured reserve last week. Former ArenaBowl MVP CONNELL MAYNOR continues to lead Orlando toward the win column – including an eight-touchdown, 289-yard performance last week at New York. The trio of targets TRAVIS MCGRIFF, CORY FLEMING and THABITI DAVIS have combined for 56-percent of the Predators scoring output and the team's pass rush has proven lethal as the League's sack leader with 11 total, including 3.0 credited to lineman ERNEST ALLEN. Patrolling the backfield are KENNY McENTYRE and REGGIE DOSTER, who have helped Orlando maintain their 5th-ranked defense.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 5, 2003


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