Desperados Make Third Straight Appearance on NBC
February 10, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
With success comes the spoils. At least that is what the Dallas Desperados are finding out. With NBC Sports televising four regional Arena Football League games each weekend, the Desperados were scheduled to potentially have 11-of-16 games broadcast by the network. The franchise opened the season with their first two games broadcast by NBC.
In setting up their broadcasting deal with the AFL, NBC scheduled five-or-six games for potential broadcast on five weekends throughout the season, including this upcoming weekend. During the middle part of last week, the network decided they would not televise the Dallas at Orlando game scheduled for this Sunday, Feb. 16.
However, after both teams were victorious in each of their first two games, NBC Sports reconsidered its position and has decided to broadcast the Dallas/Orlando game on Sunday. The network has assigned its top broadcasting crew â Tom Hammond, Pat Haden and Lewis Johnson â to bring the game to a good part of the country.
Sunday's 2:00 p.m. (Dallas time) game features two of the league's five remaining undefeated teams. Dallas has opened the season with victories over New York (60-56) and Chicago (48-36) while Orlando has defeated Chicago (47-35) and Tampa Bay (54-51). The Dallas/Orlando game will feature two of the league's top quarterbacks in Jim Kubiak and Jay Gruden.
Kubiak took over the reigns in Dallas this spring and has posted excellent numbers, completing 42-of-67 passes for 564 yards, 10 touchdowns and an interception. His calm presence and exceptional play helped the team come-from-behind to defeat the Dragons in the season opener before leading a second half charge that built a 20-point lead over the Rush. The former Navy signal caller is the holder of many AFL rookie passing marks set two years ago when he made his indoor debut with the Buffalo Destroyers.
Gruden â brother of the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden â has long been considered one of the top signal callers in league history. After rising to the top of most AFL passing charts, he retired and became the head coach of the Predators. He spent five season behind the bench before deciding that he wanted to return to the playing field. In his first season back as a player (2002), Gruden led the Predators to the semifinals of the AFL playoffs.
As NBC Sports decided, Sunday's game should be a close, exciting game for fans across the country. This battle of undefeated teams should go down to the wire and should be an edge-of-your seat, high-scoring contest. So tune in Sunday to catch all the action.
Tickets for remaining Desperados home games can be purchased by calling the Desperados ticket office at 972-785-4900, by visiting area TicketMaster locations or by visiting the Dallas Desperados website at www.dallasdesperados.com.
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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.
