Arena Football League Report

by AFL Press Release
Published on January 11, 2001 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)

AFL Press Release

1. PLAYER MOVEMENT (thru 01/05/01)

• BONNER'S BACK... The Rattlers have signed QB Sherdrick Bonner to a three-year contract... last season, the Cal-State Northridge alum broke the 17,000 career passing yards barrier and now ranks fourth among all-time leaders in passing yards (17,331), pass attempts (2,244) and pass completions (1,363)... Bonner's third among all AFL QBs in passing TDs (331)... a proven leader on and off the field, Bonner completed 59-percent of his tosses for 3,454 yards, 72 TDs and just seven INTs in leading Arizona to a semi-final playoff game in which the Rattlers were defeated by Orlando.

• KELLY'S IN THE KATS' CORNER... Nashville has signed QB Andy Kelly to a one-year contract... the Kats number one selection in the 1996 AFL expansion draft, Kelly completed a career-best 66-percent of his passes last season for more than 3,000 yards and 55 TDs... currently ranks third among league's all-time passing leaders with 17,888 yards... a top-notch performance in 2001 could earn this former Tennessee Volunteer the top spots in three career categories; attempts (2,537 to date), completions (1,562) and TDs (335)... the seven-year AFL veteran has played every game in Kats history.

• GARCIA GRACES LONG ISLAND... New York has signed QB Aaron Garcia... the 30-year-old shattered the league record books last year by completing 92 TD passes during the regular season, becoming the only AFL signal caller in league annals to reach 90-plus TD passes... racked up more than 4,000 passing yards and a 123.1 passer-rating as well... currently ranks sixth all-time in passing categories for attempts (2,110), completions (1,258) and passing yards (16,601)... lethal by air, the Sacramento State alum has proven he's a threat on the ground as well by rushing for 15 TDs in the 1999 season... in fact, Garcia ranks among the top ten career leaders for rushing TDs (34).

• COBRAS BUILD LINE... Carolina has signed OL/DL Webbie Burnett to their 2001 roster... the veteran lineman brings nine years of AFL experience to solidify the Cobras' line... all previous seasons with the Orlando Predators, Burnett holds Preds records for consecutive regular season starts (74) and consecutive regular season games played (92)... saw limited action last season – just three games – due to injury.

• INDIANA INKS HOPKINS AND VALVO... The Firebirds have signed WR/DB Greg Hopkins and OL/DL Mark Valvo... a correctional officer during the off-season, Valvo's tough-as-nails lineman attitude helped the Firebirds in protecting the passer as the team finished sixth in the league by allowing eleven sacks over the 14-week season... on defense, the Buffalo State alum recorded two solo tackles and one pass deflection... Hopkins, the team's (Albany) 2000 Player of the Year, posted career receiving highs last season; 111 receptions, 1,295 receiving yards, and 30 TDs... on defensive the 29-year-old Slippery Rock alum tallied 42 tackles, one sack, two INTs, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.

• FOGGIE GOES TO FLORIDA... The Bobcats have signed QB Rickey Foggie... this former Golden Gopher saw limited playing time last season... over a six-game span, Foggie threw for just 664 yards and 15 TDs... the 34-year-old brings five years of AFL experience to Florida - and the respect of the record books... Foggie ranks eleventh among career leaders in pass attempts (1,727), completions (984), and TDs (210).

• TWO-TIME IRONMAN RETURNS TO THE VALLEY OF THE SUN... Arizona has signed WR/LB Hernandez "Hunkie" Cooper to a three-year deal... arguably one of the best two-way players in league history, Cooper is one of only two players to earn both the AFL MVP (1993) and Ironman (1999 and 2000) honors in his career (six-time Ironman and free agent WR/LB Barry Wagner being the other)... in 2000, Cooper rushed for 52 yards and five TDs and reeled in 71 receptions for another 12 TDs... he also returned four kickoff for scores compiling more than 2,300 all-purpose yards in the process...Cooper remains tied for the top spot in the combined return TDs category (17) with free agent OS Steve Papin.

• SEMPTIMPHELTER ROCKS MOTOR CITY... Detroit has signed QB Scott Semptimphelter... following a couple of seasons backing-up Kats QB Andy Kelly, Semptimphelter battled for the starting job in Los Angeles in 2000... in ten games with the Avengers, the Lehigh (Bethlehem, Pa.) grad passed for more than 1,500 yards and 28 TDs... the 28-year-old is eager to prove his ability to lead the Fury as the starter.

2. NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE LEAUGE

HOLIDAY GIVING... ThunderBears mascot "Thunder," with members of the NBA's Houston Rockets and the WNBA's Houston Comets, hosted a special holiday ice skating party at Galleria Ice Rink in December. The party also served as a holiday gift distribution for 100 foster children from Therapeutic Family Life and DePelchin Children's Center in Houston, Tex.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE... All-arena lineman James Baron has already made a name for himself as one of the most feared players in all of Arena Football. Now he is building a different kind of reputation – as a mentor and role model for inner city youth in Middle Tennessee.

The Nashville Kats lineman has teamed up with the YMCA of Middle Tennessee - Urban Services Center to help make a difference in the lives of young people that live in the inner city and outlined areas. He will head up several activities in conjunction with the program over the course of the next year.

MORE HOLIDAY GIVING... For the fifth year in a row, Nashville head coach Pat Sperduto and his wife, Laura, distributed blankets, jackets and hot food to the homeless in downtown Nashville during the holiday season. They estimated that they provided warmth to more than 100 homeless persons last season, and had gathered enough supplies for 250 people this year.

Sperduto began this annual tradition with his sister, Rosanne, while still living in his native Boston. After his sister died in an automobile accident, he made the decision to continue the custom and help those who could not help themselves during the holidays. It has been an annual tradition ever since, moving from Massachusetts down to Nashville when Sperduto was hired as an assistant coach with the Kats in 1996.

WOO! IN EFFECT... Now that the kids are back in school, Oklahoma's WOO! (Wranglers' Operation Outreach) program is back in action. The Wranglers will make appearances at this week at Garden Oaks Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, and Shields Heights Elementary School in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Additionally, Wranglers' WR/LB Melvin Phillips recently supplied the top prizes for reading challenges at Dunbar Elementary School and Fillmore Elementary School by giving signed jerseys to the students who read the most books during each school's contest period.

PROMOTED... Grand Rapids named Charles "Sparky" McEwen to the position of offensive coordinator for the Rampage. McEwen, 32, will also serve as youth development director for the team's new indoor practice facility, currently under construction in suburban Kentwood, Michigan. A former Rampage quarterback, McEwen joined the coaching staff last season as an offensive assistant and advance scout. He assumes responsibility for the team's offense from head coach Mike Trigg, who will now take a greater involvement in the Rampage defense.

BAKER BECOMES A BLUE DEVIL... No, not Commissioner David Baker, but this is true of his son, Benjamin Baker. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive tackle at Tustin High School (Calif.) has committed to play football at Duke University. The 18-year-old earned All-League, All-CIF, and All-County honors.

Ironically, AFL Hall of Fame member Ben Bennett serves as a recruiter and offensive coordinator for the Blue Devils.

YOUNGBLOOD AMONG NOMINEES FOR NFL HALL OF FAME... That's right, folks, Jack Youngblood may finally have his day. Deservedly so for a man who has been on the NFL's Hall of Fame final cut down list five times.

Youngblood, who serves as a special consultant to the AFL Commissioner, has again been listed as a nominee for 2001 enshrinement to the NFL's Pro-Football Hall of Fame.

In thirteen seasons (1971-84) with the Los Angeles Rams, Youngblood became the prototype for NFL defensive ends. He would earn All-NFL honors six times, play in seven Pro Bowl games, and be named to the Sporting News All-NFC team three times. He was selected by his teammates as "Rams Most Valuable Player" three times and he was named "NFC Defensive Player of the Year" on two occasions.

During his career, Youngblood led Los Angeles to a 119-71-1 record (.626) - including 9 seasons with 10 or more wins and five NFC Championship Game appearances. A natural competitor, then Rams head coach Jack Robinson described Youngblood as "the most competitive man I have ever come across."

At the collegiate level, Youngblood started three seasons for the Florida Gators - earning All-America honors in 1970. He played in a College All-Star Game and the Senior Bowl, earning MVP honors in the later. In 1975, he was selected to the "SEC Quarter Century Team" and was honored again in 1995 as an "SEC Living Legend." He is still regarded as the best defensive end in school history.

TAKIN' A BITE OUT OF CRIME... This past December, Indiana Firebirds WR/LB Greg Hopkins prevented a robbery in his family's store in Nineveh, Pa. According to the Greene County Observer-Reporter, a man, who appeared to carry a weapon in his coat pocket, entered the Hopkins' store and demanded that Mrs. Hopkins (Greg's mother) open the cash register. When she could not open the register, she called to her son for help. Hopkins came out of the store's office, grabbed a club from behind the counter to ward of the burglar. The man fled the store traveling southbound and out of town in a royal blue GEO Tracker. No one was injured and no money was stolen.

SURFING THE WEB? You can now log onto the New York Dragons website. Last week, the team launched their new website, www.newyorkdragons.com. The site includes the latest team news, roster movement, and ticket information.

CALLING ALL POTENTIAL ARENA ‘BALLERS... The Buffalo Destroyers will hold an open tryout on Monday, January 15 at 8 a.m. (ET) at the team practice facility located at 4415 Millersport Highway in Amherst, N.Y.... non-refundable $50 registration fee required... drills conducted indoors on artificial turf... participants receive a tee-shirt and testing results.

The New York Dragons will conduct two free agent tryout camps to be held at the New York Jets practice facility on the campus of Hofstra University, 100 Fulton Avenue in Hempstead, N.Y.... dates set for Saturday, January 20 and Saturday, March 3 and scheduled to run 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.... non-refundable $40 registration fee (money orders and cash only)... previous playing experience is recommended.

The Chicago Rush is holding an open tryout on Thursday and Friday, February 8 and 9 from 8 a.m. to noon each day at the team's practice facility located at 573 South Consumers Drive in Palatine, Ill.... Thursday tryouts are scheduled for lineman, fullbacks and linebackers... Friday's workout will be for quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs... a $50 registration fee is required.

3. AFL CONNECTIONS TO THE NFL

In an AFC Division Playoff game, Oakland DB Johnnie Harris, 1998 AFL Defensive Player of the Year (Tampa Bay), recorded three tackles (two solo) in the Raiders 27-0 blanking of the Dolphins. Miami wide receiver Oronde Gadsden, the AFL's 1998 Rookie of the Year, pulled in one bedazzling reception for a 33-yard gain as the Dolphins were knocked out of Super Bowl contention.

Former Chicago Bruiser QB Sean Payton has been taking care of business as the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants. Last weekend, Payton's team posted a 20-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and advance to the next round of post-season play hosting the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Payton's got an AFL-influenced receiver on his roster as well. A former Florida Gator, Giants receiver, kick and punt returner Ike Hilliard received collegiate coaching by AFL Hall of Famer and three-time ArenaBowl champion Dwayne Dixon.

Orlando Predators head coach Jay Gruden earned his sixth ArenaBowl championship ring in 2000. Can his brother Jon, head coach of the Oakland Raiders, win his first Super Bowl title in 2001? Odd-makers say, yes. And as Super Bowl Sunday nears, watch for the media to compare and contrast the stylistic coaching of the two Grudens. In fact, HBO Sports "Inside the NFL" is planning to air a piece on the Gruden brothers in this week's programming.

4. ON THE "LIGHTER" SIDE OF THINGS...

AFL's PRESIDENT-ELECT... with 530 votes in the website poll results are in. In a perfect world, who would make the best President? Here's what Arena Football voters thought and no one's demanding a recount...

Commissioner David Baker. Entering his fifth season at the helm of the nation's fastest growing sport, the passionate leader of the Arena Football League earned 22-percent of site visitors votes. His guidance of the AFL's stability, credibility and visibility has garnered the respect of many within and outside of the league. And as far as this poll goes, guess those early days as Mayor of Irvine, Calif. may have paid off, too.

Tampa Bay Storm Head Coach Tim Marcum. The all-time winningest coach in the league's history (.772) – and one of the most colorful personalities among AFL coaches – earned 19-percent of voting clicks. In twelve seasons, Marcum led three different teams to six ArenaBowl titles – the Denver Dynamite (1987), the Detroit Drive (1988, ‘89, '92) and the Tampa Bay Storm (1995, '96). A charter inductee to the AFL's Hall of Fame, this head-strong coach would much rather be signing new talent for the Storm than kissing babies for signature votes.

Arizona Rattlers QB Sherdrick Bonner. A natural competitor, Bonner participated in football, basketball, volleyball, track and baseball in his high school and collegiate days, proving his overall athletic prowess. But it was his "gentlemanly" characteristics on and off the playing field that earned him 18-percent of the poll's web votes. His pleasant demeanor and sportsmanlike conduct – even when he's kicking your butt – are a rarity in professional sports and the vote proves he's earned fans' respect.

af2 Executive Director Mary Ellen Garling. This bright, young sparkplug led arenafootball2 – the AFL's developmental league – to an outstanding inaugural season in 2000, drawing nearly 800,000 fans to games from Moline, Ill. to Pensacola, Fla. And the number of teams the league carries has catapulted from 15 to 28 in transition to its sophomore season. Maybe that's why the native of Cleveland, Ohio received 17-percent of backing from cyber pollsters; she has turned af2 water into Arena Football wine.

Special Consultant to the AFL Commissioner, Jack Youngblood. The former Los Angeles Rams All-Pro selection gathered 13-percent of the web vote. Given his recent nomination for enshrinement to the NFL's Hall of Fame, perhaps Youngblood and Commissioner Baker could run on the ticket together as Prez and VP candidates? Or vice versa?

Free agent OS George LaFrance. The 35-year-old future AFL Hall of Famer has long been known for his gracious qualities and welcoming personality. Despite his incredible tenure in the league – 12 seasons and 20,445 all-purpose yards, the only AFL player to break the 20,000 mark – LaFrance finished last in this poll with 10-percent of the online vote. Although he saw limited playing time with the Red Dogs in 2000, LaFrance proved he's still got what it takes to vie for the Don't Blink award. In New Jersey's final game last season, the always-reliable LaFrance gained 397 all-purpose yards, the second most in league history. He also set a league mark with 14 combined kick returns.

Given the success of the National Champion Oklahoma Sooners this season, Sooners head coach Bob Stoops may have picked up a few nods if he'd been added to the election ballot. His AFL connection? Younger brother Mike, the team's co-defensive coordinator, played at the WR/DB spot for the Pittsburgh Gladiators back in 1987.

5. WHAT'S THE WORD?

"In years past we found ourselves up against No. 1 teams two or three weeks in a row. With all the free agency transactions in the off-season, I think it will be anyone's game, and I am excited about the Mustangs team we have put together." – Milwaukee president and general manager, Chris Vallozzi.

"Our fans were a big part of our success last year. With them behind us again, hopefully we can get off to another great start and give them a team they can be proud of." – Wranglers head coach Bob Cortese. Oklahoma finished the 2000 season with a 7-7 record, only to be ousted by San Jose in the post-season.

"Just like Uncle Sam, we're looking for a few good men." – Buffalo Destroyers head coach Ray Bentley on the team's open tryout schedule for next Monday.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to it again and making another run at the championship. Hopefully, this time we'll go just a little bit beyond where we got last year. I'm excited to be back and I'm excited that we're re-signing most of our guys." – Nashville QB Andy Kelly on signing on for another season with the Kats. Kelly led the Kats to ArenaBowl XIV in 2000, suffering a last-second defeat by the Orlando Predators.

"It is great to have back potentially the greatest player in Arena Football history." – Gene Nudo, Rattlers Vice President of Administration on the signing of two-time Ironman Award winner Hunkie Cooper.

"We have a tough task ahead. We look forward to reaching the ArenaBowl, but looking at the schedule it will be like playing in the ArenaBowl every week." – San Jose head coach Darren Arbet. Given the team's number one finish in the regular season last year, the SaberCats received the toughest AFL schedule for 2001.

"We want to be a part of the playoffs. We want to be playing in that 15th game." – Carolina head coach Doug Kay. The Cobras finished the 2000 season with 3-11 record.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 11, 2001

• Arena Football League Report - OSC Original by AFL Press Release

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.