Carpenter Named ADT Defensive Player of the Week
June 18, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Arena Football League announced Buffalo Destroyers rookie DS Dwaine Carpenter was named ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in last Thursday's 55-27 victory at Toronto.
Carpenter, who was named Game MVP, tied the league high with 10.5 tackles (10 solo) in week nine. He also set a Destroyers team record with five passes defended (four pass breakups and one interception). Carpenter intercepted a Chad Salisbury pass in the second quarter and returned it 37 yards to the Toronto 18 yard line, which set up a Fred McNair to Carlos James touchdown to put the Fleet up 31-10. His interception return was the second longest in team history.
"It was a great performance, he just keeps getting better," said Destroyers head coach and general manager Ray Bentley. "He plays a physical brand of football that warms the heart of an old linebacker."
Carpenter, the only rookie to see significant playing time for the Destroyers, has emerged as one of the best young defensive backs in the AFL. Carpenter broke into the Destroyers lineup in week three at Detroit and has already made an impact. He is tied for 11th in the league with 12 passes defended and is 16th in the league with 41.0 tackles. He is second on the Destroyers in both categories behind Corey Johnson.
"This award reflects on our whole team," said Carpenter. "The veterans have played a key role in helping me get better. I'm still learning the game and I definitely have room for improvement."
Carpenter signed with the Destroyers in the off-season after having a banner year with the Rochester Brigade of the AF2. He led the Brigade with eight interceptions in 2001, returning one for a touchdown. He was the team's second leading tackler with 75 stops and broke up 33 passes.
Carpenter played his college ball at North Carolina A&T where he was a part of the Black College National Championship team in 1999 leading the team in interceptions and named the team's defensive back of the year.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 18, 2002
- Greg Hopkins honored as AFL "Offensive Player of the Week" - Los Angeles Avengers
- Weibel Rewrites Records - AFL I
- Rush Extends Contracts of Assistant Coaches - Chicago Rush
- AFL Announces Weekly Awards - AFL I
- Carpenter Named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - Buffalo Destroyers
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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