Desperados Trio Named to All-Arena Teams
May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Arena Football League announced today that Dallas Desperados OL/DL Tom Briggs was named to the All-Arena first-team, while teammates QB Jim Kubiak and WR/DB Will Pettis were named to the All-Arena second-team. Their selections are the first All-Arena team selections of a Desperado in the franchise's two-year history.
Briggs, who is also making a push for Lineman of the Year, Ironman of the Year and the All-Ironman Team, put together a career-year in 2003, finishing the season with a league-and career-high 10.5 sacks, a career-high 43.5 tackles, a career-high four forced fumbles, a career-high eight quarterback pressures and a career-high tying three tackles for losses. He also added nine passes defensed and a game-turning fumble recovery at Grand Rapids. Not to be limited to the defensive side of the ball, Briggs also caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Pettis, who is making a push for Rookie of the Year and Ironman of the Year honors, finished his rookie season with 69 catches for 798 yards and 16 touchdowns, 14 rushes for nine yards and four touchdowns, three interceptions for 22 yards, 32 kickoff returns for 640 yards (20.0 avg.), four missed field goal returns for 93 yards (23.3), 34.5 tackles and four passes defensed. His 1,562 all-purpose yards established a new team record as he led the club in interceptions, kickoff returns, missed field goal returns and missed field goal return average. He finished third in receptions and fourth in rushing. Pettis was named to the All-Rookie team on Monday and is the only rookie named to either All-Arena team.
Kubiak, who is making a push for Offensive Player of the Year, also recorded a career-year, finishing the year 388-of-557 for 4,762 yards, 97 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. His 4,762 passing yards established a new league single season passing yards record, not to mention a new a career-high. His 69.7 completion percentage was also a league record, eclipsing Aaron Garcia's 69.6% from 2001. Kubiak also set career-highs in attempts (557), completions (388), touchdowns (97) and interceptions (17).
The Dallas Desperados earned a No. 5 seed in the Drive to ArenaBowl XXVII and will host the Georgia Force in a playoff game this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at American Airlines Center. Tickets for Saturday's game can be purchased by calling 972-785-4900, visiting metroplex TicketMaster locations or by ordering through the Desperados website at www.dallasdesperados.com. Sunday's game against the Force will be televised by NBC Sports and can be seen locally on NBC 5.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 20, 2003
- 2003 AFL Season in Review - AFL I
- Wagner Named Ironman of the Week - San Jose SaberCats
- Rush and Hlavacek Earn All-Arena Honors - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Georgia Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
- Dallas Desperados Game Notes - Dallas Desperados
- Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL Attendance Up 15 Percent in 2003 - AFL I
- Rampage Announce 2003 Team Award Winners - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL Names All-Arena Teams - AFL I
- Desperados Host Force in First Round Playoff Game - Dallas Desperados
- Three SaberCats Earn First-Team All-League Honors - San Jose SaberCats
- L.A. Avengers place Jackson and Hopkins on All-Arena first team - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rattle the Rattlers Gladiator Fan Bus Set for Phoenix Departure on Sunday, May 25 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Desperados Playoff Game Changes Date & Venue - Dallas Desperados
- Gladiators' Kicker Steve Videtich Named Second Team All Arena - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Desperados Trio Named to All-Arena Teams - Dallas Desperados
- AFL Names Week's Best - AFL I
- Desperados Briggs Named Defensive Player of the Week - Dallas Desperados
- Fury head to Grand Rapids for First Round of the ArenaBowl Playoffs - Detroit Fury
- Moyer, Chatman Garner AFL Awards - Chicago Rush
- Carpenter Garners All-Arena Honors - Buffalo Destroyers
- Rush Playoff Date Set - Chicago Rush
- AFL Playoff Schedule Announced - AFL I
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