Cooper, James Honored By Teammates
August 1, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY) â The Buffalo Destroyers players voted OS Lamont Cooper Team MVP and WR/DB Carlos James Team Ironman.
"I think these are solid choices by the team," said Destroyers head coach and general manager Ray Bentley. "Lamont had a great season by any standards and so did Carlos."
Cooper provided the biggest individual highlights for the Destroyers in 2002. He shattered 25 Destroyers single game, season and career records in only his first season with the franchise. He also tied a league playoff record with a 57 yard missed FG return July 26 at Orlando.
Cooper, the two-time Don't Blink Player of the Year (2000 and 2001), racked up 415 all-purpose yards week three vs. Detroit, the second highest in Arena Football League history. He returned four kickoffs for touchdowns extending his own AFL record to 24. He has gained 2,000 all-purpose yards for the third straight season. He has gained 200 all-purpose yards six times in 2002 and tallied 100 return yards in seven games. Cooper is in the league's top ten in four major statistical categories. His 2,746 all-purpose yards in 2002 is 10th best in league history.
Cooper has proven he is the most electrifying player in the game, evident by his 106 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on three touches in the first six minutes of the Destroyers 49-46 win over Toronto week five.
James had one of the most impressive stretches of any player this season when he earned five Ironman of the Game Awards in six weeks. His streak began week five as his team high 7.5 tackles led the Fleet to a 49-46 win over Toronto. He capped the streak week 10 at New Jersey with four receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns and 3.5 tackles (3 solo). James led the team with 14 touchdown receptions and was third in receiving yards and tackles.
James moved to sixth all-time on the league's career tackles list with 390.0 this season. He is also moved to fifth all-time with 89 pass breakups and fifth all-time with 34 interceptions.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 1, 2002
- This Week in the AFL - Playoff Edition - OSC Original by Mark Sargent
- Chris Jackson signs with Green Bay Packers - Los Angeles Avengers
- Playoff Quick Hitters - AFL I
- Rush Signs Hohensee to Contract Extension - Chicago Rush
- Lord of the Rings - AFL I
- Crafts Road Show Stops in Montreal - Buffalo Destroyers
- Cooper, James Honored By Teammates - Buffalo Destroyers
- Cobras Travel to Valley of Sun for Quarterfinal Battle - Carolina Cobras
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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