Destroyers Open Playoffs In Orlando Friday Night
July 25, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Buffalo Destroyers begin their quest for the ArenaBowl Championship Friday, July 26 at 7:30 PM against the South Division Champion Orlando Predators at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
The Fleet finished the regular season at 6-8 for the second consecutive year and clinched the 10th spot in the 12-team playoffs. Orlando (7-7) grabbed the 7th seed after winning the South Division last week with a win at Dallas.
"This is what we came here to do, get in the playoffs," said Destroyers head coach and general manager Ray Bentley. "Now it's the second season, a second life and we have the same chance everyone else has."
Buffalo is led by Offensive Player of the Year candidate and Don't Blink Player of the Year candidate OS Lamont Cooper. Coop finished second in the league with 2,746 all-purpose yards, 10th best in league history. He was also one of two players to average over 200 all-purpose yards a game.
Predators QB Jay Gruden stepped down as the team's head coach this season to return to the playing field and didn't miss a beat. Gruden, who has won six ArenaBowl Championships (4 as player, 2 as a head coach), was second in the league with 3,621 passing yards, fourth in total offense with 257.1 yards per game and sixth with 68 touchdown passes.
"Gruden scares you, he can get hot," Bentley added. "He has played his best football in the playoffs. We need to get pressure on him early."
The pressure Bentley talks about will need to come from OL/DL Hardy Mitchell, the team leader with two sacks, OL/DL Silas Demary and newcomer OL/DL Terry Grooms. FB/LB Juan Long and FB/LB John Motton will also need to help the line in keeping Gruden in check.
Friday's game will air live on WNSA 107.7 FM and WJTN 1240 AM with Jim Brinson and Bob Trimble. The game will be televised on tape delay Saturday, July 27 at 2:00PM on TNN with Dave Sims and Charles Arbuckle. You can follow the game live on the web at www.buffalodestroyers.com by clicking on the Weekly Warzone.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 25, 2002
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