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Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Weekly Update

June 27, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - The Mitsubishi Motors Drive to ArenaBowl XXI New Orleans kicks off with four games as the search for this year's ArenaBowl Champion begins in Philadelphia as the Orlando Predators make their second trip to the Wachovia Center in seven days as the Philadelphia Soul hosts its first playoff game in franchise history on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Friday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS RADIO Channel 123).

Philadelphia QB TONY GRAZIANI completed 25-of-45 passes for 262 yards with six touchdowns through the air and two on the ground as the Soul outscored the Predators 28-14 in the second half on its way to a 63-49 victory on Thursday.

This matchup marks the first time since 2001 that two teams will play each other in Week 17 and then during the first-round of the playoffs. That matchup saw Chicago defeat Orlando first at home (55-41) and then in Orlando (41-26) five days later.

Orlando defeated Philadelphia in the Divisional Round of the 2006 playoffs as Predators OL/DL HENRY TAYLOR sacked Graziani on the Orlando one-yard line, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Philadelphia FB/LB WES OURS at the Predators seven-yard line as time expired.

Taylor's sack and forced fumble secured Orlando's 31-27 victory, and spoiled Philadelphia's bid to advance to the Conference Championship Game in the team's inaugural playoff run.

Led by QB SHANE STAFFORD, the Predators look to use his postseason experience to lead them to a victory and end their two-game slide in the process. However, it will be a tough task as Philadelphia has won four of its last six games.

The Tampa Bay Storm return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus as they host the Columbus Destroyers on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, June 30, at 12 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS RADIO Channel 123).

With the emergence of All-Rookie Team selection QB BRETT DIETZ, the Storm have won nine of its last 11 games on a momentum swing that mirrors the 2006 Chicago Rush's run to become ArenaBowl XX Champions.

Dietz made his AFL debut in the third quarter of Tampa's 34-32 victory over Columbus in Week 9 where he completed 13-of-25 passes for 170 yards with two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown to outscore the Destroyers 24-19 in the second half.

Columbus has lost five of its last six games and looks to use its Week 17 victory over New York to propel them deep into the playoffs in their first appearance since relocating from Buffalo following the 2003 season.

The Kansas City Brigade hosts its first postseason game as they welcome Mitsubishi Motors Central Division rival Colorado on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, June 30, at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS RADIO Channel 123).

Kansas City enters the Wild Card game with a higher seed than the Crush, but Colorado swept the season series in 2007, by a combined seven points, accounting for one-third of the Brigade's losses.

Colorado withstood last-minute touchdown passes from Kansas City QB RAYMOND PHILYAW in each contest, successfully running out the clock and securing the 44-40 and 45-42 victories.

Led by QB JOHN DUTTON and WR DAMIAN HARRELL, Colorado looks to end its four-game slide and advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Dutton has faired well against the Brigade, completing 74-of-123 passes for 784 yards with 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions in three career matchups.

This game also features two of the AFL's all-time greats as two-time Offensive Player of the Year Harrell faces three-time ADT Defensive Player of the Year DB KENNY MCENTYRE.

The two have played evenly this season with Harrell registering eight catches for 88 yards and five touchdowns while McEntyre has notched eight-and-a-half tackles with four passes defensed.

Kansas City has won six of its last eight games coming into the playoffs and looks to use the friendly confines of Kemper Arena to secure the team's first postseason victory.

The Wild Card round concludes in Los Angeles as the Avengers welcome the Utah Blaze to the Staples Center on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, July 2, at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN360.com, SIRIUS RADIO Channel 123). This game marks the first time in AFL history that two pairs of teams who met in their season finales face each other in the first round of the playoffs.

Utah QB JOE GERMAINE completed 20-of-35 passes for 224 yards and five touchdowns on his way to an AFL single-season record 5,005 passing yards as the Blaze outscored the Avengers 17-13 in the second half and defeated Los Angeles, 47-37, on Saturday.

Germaine and WR SIAHA BURLEY will try to pick up where they left off as Burley notched 11 receptions for 133 yards and three touchdowns on his way to becoming the first player in AFL history to amass more than 2,000 receiving yards in a season.

Utah's defense looks to continue its stifling of QB SONNY CUMBIE, which forced him to throw a season-high four interceptions resulting in 14 of the Blaze's total 47 points.

Led by Cumbie and recently-activated WR KEVIN INGRAM, the Avengers look to bounce back from its Week 17 loss and defeat the Blaze for the first time in team history while also securing the franchise's first playoff victory.

To aid local TV stations, the Arena Football League will produce 15-minute satellite feeds containing playoff highlights throughout the postseason. A feed will run every day a game is played. The Wild Card and Divisional Rounds will both have three separate feeds. The Wild Card Round times are: June 29, 10:30 p.m. ET, June 30, 8 p.m. ET, and July 3, 1:30 a.m. ET (NOTE: July 2, 10:30 p.m. PT). The feed coordinates are: Galaxy 26, Transponder 21 (C-Band), Downlink Frequency: 4120 Vertical, Audio: 6.2/6.8.

ORLANDO PREDATORS (8-8) AT PHILADELPHIA SOUL (8-8)

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 AT 7:30 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

SIRIUS RADIO - CHANNEL 123

ANNOUNCERS: DAVE PASCH AND RAY BENTLEY

Repeat of season finale (Philadelphia 63-49), and divisional round playoff game in 2007 (Orlando 31-27)...PREDATORS: Orlando in playoffs for 15th straight season...QB SHANE STAFFORD ranked second this season in third-down passer-rating (106.9). Set team record for completions (369), yards (4,289), and touchdown passes (76)...WR JAVARUS DUDLEY set team records for led team in receptions (107), yards (1,524) and touchdowns (29)...FB KEVIN NAGLE led team in rushing yards (155)...Defense ranked second in sacks (26)...Defense ranked third in scoring (47.9), passing touchdowns allowed (77)...Defense was tied for third in net turnover differential (+16)... DL GREG WHITE set AFL regular season record in sacks (15.0) and tackles for loss (17.0). Ranked first in forced fumbles (6)...DB LIN-J SHELL ranked third in tackles (110.5), setting team record...DB RAYSHUN REED leads rookies in defensive fumble recoveries (4), forced fumbles (5). Tied for first among rookies in interceptions (6). Ranked third among rookies in tackles (72.0). Named to All-Rookie Team...LB LANCE MITCHELL named to All-Rookie Team as mack linebacker...K JAY TAYLOR set team record for extra points made (101)...SOUL: Second straight playoff appearance, both under head coach BRETT MUNSEY...Offense ranked first in red zone pct. (89.5)...Offense tied for first in third-down comp. pct. (56.3)...Offense ranked fifth in scoring (56.3)...QB TONY GRAZIANI threw for 2,841 yards and 64 touchdowns this season...WR CHARLES PAULEY ranked fifth in all-purpose-yards (2,263)...WR LARRY BRACKINS ranked fifth among rookies in scoring (122 pts.)...OL MARTIN BIBLA and OL PHIL BOGLE were named to AFL All-Rookie Team...Defense ranked third in sacks (20)...Defense tied for fourth in takeaways (37)...DB EDDIE MOTEN ranked second in passes defensed (24). Tied for third in interceptions (9), returning 3 for touchdowns...DL DWAYNE MISSOURI is tied for second in forced fumbles (5). Tied for third in defensive fumble recoveries (4)...DL BRYAN SAVE tied for first in tackles for loss (5.0). Ranked second among rookies in sacks (4.0). Named to All-Rookie Team...K TODD FRANCE ranked first in touchbacks (44).

2007 LEADERS PREDATORS SOUL SERIES LEADER LEADS 2-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 3-2

LAST GAME Lost at Philadelphia: 49-63 Won vs. Orlando: 63-49

2007 LEADERS PREDATORS SOUL PASSING Stafford: 369-573-4284-76-10 Graziani: 225-362-2841-64-8

RECEIVING Dudley: 107-1524-29 Pauley: 104-1473-27

RUSHING Nagle: 48-155-4 Ours: 39-129-8

TACKLES Shell: 110.5 Moten: 89.0

SACKS White: 15.0 Missouri: 6

INTERCEPTIONS Reed: 6 Moten: 9

KICKING Taylor: 101-109 PAT; 11-21 FG: 134 PTS France: 105-120 PAT; 9-16 FG: 132 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 51.0 PPG (14th); 283.7 YPG (12th) 55.8 PPG (5th); 279.1 YPG (15th)

TEAM DEFENSE 47.9 PPG (3rd); 286.6 YPG (8th) 52.2 PPG (8th); 303.6 YPG (16th)

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (7-9) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (9-7)

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 AT 12 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

SIRIUS RADIO - CHANNEL 123

ANNOUNCERS: MARK JONES AND MERRIL HOGE

DESTROYERS: First playoff appearance since 2002, and first playoff appearance since team relocated to Columbus...Offense scored most points in season finale at New York (73)...Offense ranked fourth in fourth-down pct. (61.3), rushing yards per game (22.9)...Offense tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (28)...QB MATT NAGY ranked fourth in third-down passing leaders (96.8). 19 of his touchdowns were thrown on third-down...WR DAMIEN GROCE led team in receiving with 118 receptions for 1,342 yards, and 26 touchdowns...FB HAROLD WELLS ranked fifth in rushing yards (197)...C WILL RABATIN named to All-Rookie Team...Defense leads League in fourth-down comp. pct. (22.7)...Defense tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (1.333)...Defense ranked fifth in scoring (49.6)...DL KEN JONES ranked third in tackles for loss (13.0), sacks (9.5)...DB BRANDON HEFFLIN ranked fourth in tackles (105.0)...STORM: 20th playoff appearance in franchise history...Has won nine of last 11 games after starting season 0-5, including five straight at home...Offense ranked second in rushing touchdowns (32)...QB BRETT DIETZ led rookies in passer rating (119.3), setting team record. Named to All-Rookie Team...WR LAWRENCE SAMUELS led team in receptions (122)...WR TERRILL SHAW led team in receiving yards (1,411)...Defense ranked first in rushing touchdowns allowed (14)...FB TORRANCE MARSHALL set team record in rushing touchdowns (17)...Defense ranked second in third-down comp. pct. (41.6)...Defense ranked third in red zone pct. (76.1)...Defense ranked fourth in interceptions (21)...Defense ranked fifth in first downs (20.2)...DB JEROID JOHNSON ranked second in interceptions (10)...DB KHALID NAZIRUDDIN tied for fourth among rookies in tackles (70.0). Tied for third in interceptions (3)...K SETH MARLER ranked first among kickers in field goal pct. (.800). Ranked first among rookies in touchbacks (29). Ranked second among rookie kickers in scoring (140 points- 92 PATs, 16 FGs).

2007 LEADERS DESTROYERS STORM SERIES LEADER LEADS 5-1

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME Won at New York: 74-43 Won vs. Austin: 55-51

2007 LEADERS DESTROYERS STORM PASSING Nagy: 341-545-3557-75-15 Dietz: 199-302-2395-47-7

RECEIVING Groce: 118-1342-26 Samuels: 122-1143-15

RUSHING Wells: 73-197-13 Marshall: 55-107-17

TACKLES Hefflin: 105.0 Johnson: 96.0

SACKS Jones: 9.5 Briggs: 5

INTERCEPTIONS Brown: 5 Johnson: 10

KICKING Martinez: 80-97 PAT; 10-20 FG: 110 PTS Marler: 92-99 PAT; 16-20 FG; 140 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 50.1 PPG (16th); 256.9 YPG (18th) 50.6 PPG (15th); 287.1 YPG (10th)

TEAM DEFENSE 49.6 PPG (5th); 284.4 YPG (7th) 51.6 PPG (7th); 300.0 YPG (13th)

COLORADO CRUSH (8-8) AT KANSAS CITY BRIGADE (10-6)

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 AT 3 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

SIRIUS RADIO - CHANNEL 123

ANNOUNCERS: BOB WISCHUSEN AND MARK SCHLERETH

CRUSH: Swept season series...Fourth straight playoff appearance under head coach MIKE DAILEY...Offense ranked second in fourth-down com. pct. (62.5)...Offensive-Line tied for third in fewest sacks allowed (6)...QB JOHN DUTTON ranked third in completions (396). Led team in passing yards (4,320), and touchdowns (84)...WR DAMIAN HARRELL is tied for second in third-down receptions (20). Ranked fourth in scoring (282 points). Tied for fourth in receptions (132). Became only third receiver to reach 900 career receptions in last weeks game...WR BRAD PYATT tied for third among rookies in receptions (95). Ranked fourth among rookies in yards (1,169)...Defense was tied for fifth in interceptions (20)...DB RASHAD FLOYD set AFL single-season record in tackles (156.0). Ranks third in career playoff tackles (90.0)...K JASON BALL ranked first in field goals (17)...BRIGADE: First playoff appearance for franchise...Offense ranked third in rushing yards (24.6)...Offense ranked fifth in third-down comp. pct. (51.5)...Offensive-Line ranked fifth in sacks allowed (7)...Offense tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (28)...QB RAYMOND PHILYAW ranked fourth in fourth-quarter passer rating (126.4). Ranked fifth in passer-rating (124.1), completion percentage (69.0), and touchdowns (85)...WR/DB CHARLES FREDERICK ranked first among rookies in rushing yards (133), receptions (115), scoring (246 pts.), and all-purpose yards (2,129). Ranked second among rookies in touchdown receptions (27), receiving yards (1,385). Named to All-Rookie Team...Defense leads League in total yards per game (253.7)...Defense ranked second in passing touchdowns allowed (75)...Defense tied for fourth in sacks (19)...Defense ranked fourth in points per game (48.5)...Defense ranked fifth in net turnover differential (+10)...DB ISIAH TRUFANT leads rookies in passes defensed (17)...DB KENNY MCENTYRE has second most career playoff tackles (99.5), interceptions (11). Needs one interception to tie for first all-time.

2007 LEADERS CRUSH BRIGADE SERIES LEADER LEADS 3-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 1-4 4-1

LAST GAME Lost vs. Dallas: 58-77 Lost at Chicago: 21-48

2007 LEADERS CRUSH BRIGADE PASSING Dutton: 396-645-4320-84-17 Philyaw: 371-538-4338-85-11

RECEIVING Harrell: 132-1547-47 Frederick: 115-1385-27

RUSHING Thomas: 29-29-9 Moss: 51-192-8

TACKLES Floyd: 156.0 Smalls: 72.0

SACKS Barno: 5 Cohen: 6.5

INTERCEPTIONS Floyd: 9 McEntyre: 9

KICKING Ball: 90-105 PAT; 17-28 FG: 141 PTS Kral: 41-52 PAT; 2-8 FG: 56 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 49.6 PPG (17th); 282.8 YPG (13th) 52.5 PPG (11th); 296.8 YPG (8th)

TEAM DEFENSE 53.6 PPG (11th); 283.6 YPG (6th) 48.5 PPG (4th); 253.7 YPG (1st)

UTAH BLAZE (8-8) AT LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (9-7)

MONDAY, JULY 2 AT 10 P.M. ET

TV: ESPN2 - LIVE; ESPN360.COM

SIRIUS RADIO - CHANNEL 123

ANNOUNCERS: MARK JONES AND MARK SCHLERETH

Repeat of season finale (Utah 47-37)...BLAZE: Second straight season in playoffs, for franchise in second year...Head Coach DANNY WHITE is making 15th playoff appearance. Has only lost in first round twice (1994 and 2006)...Offense ranked second in yards per game (315.6)...Offense ranked fourth in points per game (59.7)...QB JOE GERMAINE led AFL in completions (422). Set AFL single-season record in yards (5,005). Tied for second in touchdowns (107). Ranked third in third-down passer rating (96.9). Ranked fourth in passer rating (124.4)...WR SIAHA BURLEY ranked first in receptions (166), third-down receptions (25). Set AFL single-season record for receiving yards (2,126). Ranked third in scoring (294 pts.) Ranked fourth in all-purpose-yards (2,350)...WR/DB ORSHAWANTE BRYANT leads team in interceptions (5)...Defense ranked first in field goal percentage (31.3)...K STEVE VIDETICH ranked second in touchbacks (42). Ranked fourth among kickers in scoring (143 pts- 113 PATs, 10 FGs). Finished season tied for first all-time for made field goals (177)...AVENGERS: Fifth playoff appearance for franchise, all appearances under head coach ED HODGKISS...Offense ranked fourth in red zone pct. (86.8)...Offense is tied for fourth in first downs (21.9)...QB SONNY CUMBIE ranked first in third-down passer-rating (114.4). Ranked fifth in completions (378)...WR ROB TURNER led team in receiving yards (1,229)...FB LONNIE FORD led team in rushing yards (192), touchdowns (19)...Defense ranked third in fourth-down com. pct. (40.6)...Defense ranked fourth in third-down com. pct. (44.7)...Defense ranked fifth in rushing yards (14.4)...DL JASON STEWART ranked second in defensive fumble recoveries (5.0). Tied for second in forced fumbles (5)...DL SILAS DEMARY tied for fourth in sacks (8.0)...WR/DB EDDIE CANONICO ranked first in special teams tackles (20.5)...K REMY HAMILTON ranked third among kickers in scoring (149 points- 101 PATs, 16 FGs).

2007 LEADERS BLAZE AVENGERS SERIES LEADER LEADS 4-0

LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 3-2

LAST GAME Won at Los Angeles: 47-37 Lost vs. Utah: 37-47

2007 LEADERS BLAZE AVENGERS PASSING Germaine: 422-617-5005-107-12 Cumbie: 378-610-4370-83-13

RECEIVING Burley: 166-2129-49 Turner: 105-1229-24

RUSHING Robinson: 13-58-3 Ford: 82-192-19

TACKLES Lawson: 57.0 Canonico: 101.0

SACKS Janek/Smith: 3 Demary: 8

INTERCEPTIONS Bryant: 3 Wheeler: 6

KICKING Videtich: 113-127 PAT; 10-19 FG: 143 PTS Hamilton: 101-114 PAT; 16-30 FG: 149 PTS

TEAM OFFENSE 59.7 PPG (4th); 315.6 YPG (2nd) 52.7 PPG (10th); 295.1 YPG (9th)

TEAM DEFENSE 58.3 PPG (15th); 295.9 YPG (12th) 53.0 PPG (10th); 292.6 YPG (10th)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 27, 2007


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