Desperados claim postseason honors
Published on August 19, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados deemed their inaugural Arena Football League season a success after finishing the regular season with a 7-7 record and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. In the process, the Desperados led the league in attendance with an average of 13,603. This average is the highest attendance mark by an AFL expansion team in the last five years.
With their success on and off the field, the Dallas Desperados organization was presented with the Prestigious Commissioner's Award, which is presented to the organization(s) that displays excellence both on and off the field. The Los Angeles Avengers were also presented with the award.
The AFL also announced their All-Arena, All-Rookie and All-Ironman teams this past weekend during ArenaBowl festivities. While the Desperados did not place anybody on the All-Arena and All-Ironman teams, they did lead the league with three selections to the All-Rookie team.
Leading Dallas' rookie selections was WR/LB Andy McCullough, who was also considered for Rookie of the Year honors. McCullough finished his initial indoor season leading the team with 82 receptions for 836 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also recorded eight tackles, a tackle for a loss, a pass broken up, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on the defensive side of the ball. Following the season, McCullough signed with the NFL's Green Bay Packers as a wide receiver.
Defensive Specialist Kareem Larrimore, who joined the club on May 21, closed his inaugural arena season with 24.5 tackles, five passes defensed and an interception to earn selection to the All-Rookie team. Larrimore also led the league with a 26.2 average on 21 kickoff returns.
Rounding out the Desperados All-Rookie selections is OL/DL Shante Carver. Carver picked up the indoor game quickly and became an imposing two-way lineman for Dallas. He finished the year with 16 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. His blocking along the offensive line helped quarterback Andy Kelly take over the top spot in several AFL career passing categories while throwing for over 3,000 yards and 73 touchdowns.
The Dallas Desperados are looking forward to their second Arena Football League season, which kicks off the first weekend of February 2003 and will consist of 16 games instead of the 14 played this past spring.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 19, 2002
- Pike Earns Offensive Honors - AFL I
- Terni, Schelhaas Players of the Week - Portland Forest Dragons
- Desperados claim postseason honors - Dallas Desperados
- Three Rampage Players Make All-Arena Teams - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Four Rush Players Recognizedby League - Chicago Rush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
