Coaching Legends Square Off

February 26, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

* Dallas faces one of both cities' favorite sons, former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro QB and current Arizona Head Coach DANNY WHITE.

* The quarterback duel between Arizona's SHERDRICK BONNER, Week 4 AFL Offensive Player of the Week and Dallas' rising star JIM KUBIAK.

* Emerging Desperados Ironman DIALLEO BURKS against Arizona's two-time Ironman of the Year HUNKIE COOPER.

The action will be fast and furious on the field but the battle of coaching strategies between Dallas Head Coach JOE AVEZZANO and Arizona's White could be one of the best to watch this season.

"I have great respect for the coaches in this League because I never have thought that the NFL was a utopia," said Avezzano, a former Dallas Cowboys special teams coach. "There are great coaches and teachers in high school, college, AFL, NFL, and then there are some that aren't so good in all those levels. But I knew coming into the AFL that there were some really quality coaches and I haven't been disappointed.

A football living legend in Arizona, White is the first and only head coach in the 11-year history of the Arizona Rattlers and owns a 117-54 career record (.684). White has led his Rattlers to the postseason in 10 of their 11 seasons, including three ArenaBowl appearances (won in 1994 and 1997, lost in 2002). He was inducted to the Arena Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and earned AFL Coach of the Year honors in 1993. Both Dallas and Arizona began their AFL existence with 10-10 records. The Rattlers have gone on to make 10 straight playoff appearances and captured two ArenaBowl titles. Will Dallas follow that same pattern?

ARIZONA-DALLAS COMPARISON

TEAMS ALL-TIME REGULAR SEASON RECORD *FIRST 20 GAMES IN TEAM HISTORY PLAYOFF APPEARANCES TITLES Dallas, 2002-present 9-9 10-10 1 0 Arizona, 1992-present 102-46 10-10 10 2 * Includes postseason games.

Other games for Week 5 include: Carolina Cobras at Grand Rapids Rampage on Friday; Chicago Rush at Buffalo Destroyers on Saturday; Colorado Crush at Indiana Firebirds (NBC), Georgia Force at Los Angeles Avengers (NBC), Orlando Predators at New York Dragons (NBC), Detroit Fury at Tampa Bay Storm and San Jose SaberCats at Las Vegas Gladiators on Sunday.

* * * * *

CAROLINA COBRAS (0-4) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (3-1) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28 AT 7:30 P.M. ET

In the 2002 playoffs, the Carolina Cobras upset then-defending champion Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena. On Friday, Carolina Head Coach MIKE HOLD hopes lightning strikes twice when QB ROBERT HALL (12 TDs in 2.5 games) aims to send the Rampage fans home unhappy. Rampage QB CLINT DOLEZEL has one of the hottest hands in the League (at least 5 passing TDs in each of his last 3 games) while throwing to the duo of STEVE SMITH and TERRILL SHAW (49 receptions and 17 TDs combined). Since coming to Grand Rapids in 2001, Dolezel is 18-4 when he throws less than two INTs in a game. Grand Rapids DS LAMAR GRANT (21.5 tackles) and DS CECIL DOGGETTE (18.0) will have the task of slowing WR/DB BERNARD HOLMES (19 receptions and 4 TDs), WR/LB TY LAW (15 and 3) and OS BEN BRONSON (18 receptions).

CHICAGO RUSH (1-2) AT BUFFALO DESTROYERS (3-1) SATURDAY, MARCH 1 AT 7 P.M. ET (TV: FOX SPORTS NET CHICAGO – TOM DORE and JOHN JURKOVIC)

In their first-ever meeting with Buffalo, the Chicago Rush hope to pick up where they left off last Sunday – winning. With BILLY DICKEN firing touchdown passes to premier second-season players ANTONIO CHATMAN and LINDSEY FLESHMAN, and FB/LB JAMIE MCGOURTY lighting up the rushing offense, Chicago may be back on track and clicking on all cylinders. Perennial Lineman of the Year candidate JAMES BARON and former Ironman of the Year DAMEON PORTER lead the AFL's No. 2 defense (228.8 yds/game) and will work to wreak havoc against Buffalo's No. 15 offense (224.5 yds/game), led by their former backup QB TIM CAREY. The Destroyers are off to their best start in team history and in his ninth career start this Sunday, Carey hopes to keep the ball rolling by connecting with scoring standout GUNNARD TWYNER (54 points, tied for No. 7). Buffalo boasts the AFL's top scoring defense (39.5 pts/game), led by DWAINE CARPENTER, who has three interceptions to his credit and leads the League in tackles with 25.0 (22 solo).

DALLAS DESPERADOS (3-1) AT ARIZONA RATTLERS (2-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 2 AT 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – TOM HAMMOND, PAT HADEN, and LEWIS JOHNSON)

The AFL's next dynamic duo could be Dallas' DIALLEO BURKS and ANDY MCCULLOUGH. The two sophomore receivers have combined for 52 receptions for 686 yards and 11 TDs, while providing QB JIM KUBIAK (65.2 completion percentage, 21 TDs and only 2 INTs) with a sense of security in the passing game. Arizona counters with the dangerous trio of CHRIS HORN, HUNKIE COOPER and RANDY GATEWOOD. Cooper is coming off an Ironman of the Week performance (recording TDs passing, rushing and receiving), while Gatewood recorded 2 INTs in his second straight game. The Rattlers defense (230.5 YPG, No. 3 in AFL) continues to be one of the stingiest around. Dallas is 2-0 when they win the time of possession battle and are 0-2 when they lose. Coach Avezzano will be glad to see the team's leading rusher JA'MAR TOOMBS in the backfield for the Desperados – Dallas is 2-0 in games he plays.

COLORADO CRUSH (0-4) AT INDIANA FIREBIRDS (3-1) SUNDAY, MARCH 1 AT 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – ALLEN BESTWICK and CHARLES DAVIS)

Passing of the torch? Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL (30 receptions for 475 yards, 15 TDs and 96 points) has many comparing his 2003 start to EDDIE BROWN's 1994 numbers (42 receptions, 625 yards, 20 TDs, 120 points) through four games. Will the "Master of Touchdowns" give the emerging star a lesson in TD 101? Colorado QB JOHN DUTTON (22 TDs and 5 INTs) leads the Crush offense. Indiana will be without starting QB RAYMOND PHILYAW (10 TDs and 0 INTs), but will turn to 2001 All-Rookie Team QB CRAIG WHELIHAN to lead the troops. For Whelihan, this game will mark his first regular-season start since the final week of the 2001 season. He is 8-5 as a starter during his AFL career.

GEORGIA FORCE (2-2) AT LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (3-1) SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – ELI GOLD and JOHN RIGGINS)

Georgia's No. 1-ranked defense (207.5 YPG) will be put to the test against the Los Angeles No. 2-ranked offense (301.0 YPG and 61.2 PPG. Avengers' KEVIN INGRAM could be the best-kept secret in the AFL. With receivers like CHRIS JACKSON, GREG HOPKINS and SIAHA BURLEY stealing the headlines, Ingram has quietly been producing solid numbers (17 receptions for 127 yards and 3 TDs) as the third option for the AFL's No. 2 offense (61.2 PPG). Jackson (78 points, tied for No. 2) will look to create space for himself in the Georgia secondary – which will also open up opportunities for QB TONY GRAZIANI (23 TDs and 5 INTs) to find Hopkins, Ingram and Burley. Georgia Head Coach MARTY LOWE will look to get his team back on track after falling to Buffalo a week ago. SCOTT THOMAS has provided a spark to an already full stable of receivers that includes DARRYL HAMMOND, TYRONNE JONES and JARRICK HILLERY.

ORLANDO PREDATORS (4-0) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (0-4) SUNDAY, MARCH 1 AT 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – MIKE BREEN, RAY BENTLEY and DAVE BURNS)

When the undefeated Predators head to the Nassau Coliseum this Sunday to face the winless Dragons, they'll be led by former ArenaBowl MVP CONNELL MAYNOR, who stepped up in the second half for an injured JAY GRUDEN last week (with two touchdown passes, two rushing scores) to guide Orlando to their fourth straight win. The trio of targets TRAVIS MCGRIFF, CORY FLEMING and THABITI DAVIS have combined for more than half of the Predators scoring output. The team's pass rush leads the AFL with nine sacks, including 3.0 credited to lineman ERNEST ALLEN. The Dragons named a new head coach this week, TODD SHELL (29-25 record as San Jose Head Coach, 1995-98), who becomes only the second head coach in New York's team history. Guided by AARON GARCIA, the Dragons are the AFL's top offensive unit (328.8 yds/game) and are armed with threats like scoring sensation MIKE FURREY and return magician STEVE PAPIN (25 KOR, 462 yds, 1 TD). The Dragons are tops when it comes to 3rd- and 4th-down conversions, advancing on 67-percent of their attempts (14 of 21).

DETROIT FURY (3-1) AT TAMPA BAY STORM (2-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 3 P.M. ET

Off to their best start in team history, the Fury have been guided by AFL all-time passing leader ANDY KELLY and a wealth of receivers – JUNIOR LORD, TY GROVESTEEN, and JASON KAISER who each reined in a pair or more scoring passes last week. Detroit's line has allowed just one sack this season and given Kelly ample time to throw for more than 1,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. Although Tampa Bay is scoring 56.0 points each game (No. 4 overall), the Fury defense, led by DS/KR RON CARPENTER (25.0 tackles, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups), gives up less than 50 points per contest. Detroit's secondary will be looming close by OS FREDDIE SOLOMON and offseason acquisition CLIF DELL, who Storm QB JOHN KALEO has connected with for at least one score in every contest to date. Tampa Bay boasts the third-best turnover margin (+4) and ranks as one of the best at stopping opponents on 4th down conversions (0 of 4 attempts). The Storm added veteran kicker IAN HOWFIELD – a former Tennessee Volunteer, who last played an AFL game in 1997 (Anaheim Piranhas) – who scored a 23-yard game-winning field goal as time expired last week at Grand Rapids to push Tampa Bay's record to .500.

SAN JOSE SABERCATS (2-2) AT LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (2-2) SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC11/WB20 – BOB FITZGERALD and KEENA TURNER)

The AFL's top scoring offense ventures into Las Vegas this Sunday, when the defending ArenaBowl champion SaberCats face off against the Gladiators. The SaberCats boast the League's top rushing offense – they posted six touchdowns on the ground last week – matched by an assembly of receiving targets for Grieb, including the AFL's No. 4 scorer JAMES HUNDON (74 points). With six interceptions (2 TDs) and an 18.6 kickoff return average to his credit, DS/KR CLEVAN THOMAS continues to dominate (AFL-leading 6 INTs). Led by QB JAY MCDONAGH, the Gladiators are riding high on a two-game winning streak. McDonagh's primary target continues to be MIKE HORACEK, who has 257 receiving yards and six scores combined in the victories. Las Vegas holds the best opponent 3rd-down conversion percentage – stopping their drives on 16 of 24 attempts.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 26, 2003

• Coaching Legends Square Off - AFL I
• Garcia on Record Pace - AFL I
• Philyaw Sidelined for at Least Two Weeks - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
• Cobras Game Notes - Carolina Cobras
• Cobras Add Three To Active Roster - Carolina Cobras
• Marcum was Born to Coach - AFL I
• Dragons Game Notes - New York Dragons
• Firebirds GAme Notes - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
• Dragons Hire Todd Shell as New Head Coach - New York Dragons

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