Grand Rapids Rampage game notes

Published on February 17, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


RAMPAGE QUICK FACTS
Grand Rapids Rampage (0-2) vs. Las Vegas Gladiators (0-2)
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2004
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (EST)
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594)
Officials: Referee: Wes Fritz; Umpire: Tony Payne; Head Linesman: R.G. Detillier; Line Judge: David Chesney; Back Judge: James Cole


Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan. Coverage begins at 2:40am (EST)


2004 Rampage Schedule/Results
Feb. 8 at Chicago L 30-50 *
Feb. 14 COLORADO L 37-55
Feb. 22 LAS VEGAS 3:00
Feb. 29 at San Jose 10:30
March 6 at Dallas 8:30
March 14 LOS ANGELES 12:00 *
--- BYE ---
March 26 at Indiana 7:30
April 4 ARIZONA 12:00
April 10 at Detroit 7:30
April 17 INDIANA 7:30
April 23 at Colorado 9:00
May 1 AUSTIN 7:30
May 8 CHICAGO 7:30
May 15 at Columbus 7:30
May 22 at Carolina 7:30
May 29 DETROIT 7:30

* indicates a game broadcast on NBC

All times are Eastern, in the PM and subject to change.


ON THE TELEVISION
NBC will televise two Rampage games this season, include this week's contest in Chicago vs. the Rush. The other game will be the March 14th battle against the LA Avengers.

ON YOUR RADIO DIAL
All Rampage games can be heard live on WBBL 1340 AM with Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan calling all the action. Pre-game starts twenty minutes before kickoff.

Join radio Analyst Tom Sullivan and Head Coach Bob Cortese for Rampage Roundup each Wednesday night from 6-7pm for all the news on the Rampage straight from the Coach.

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
The Grand Rapids Rampage also maintains a comprehensive website, featuring latest information on every Rampage related.

THIS WEEK'S GAME
The Rampage welcome back former Grand Rapids stars Clint Dolezel and Terrill Shaw when the Rampage host the Las Vegas Gladiators for a 3:00 PM contest. Dolezel is the team's all-time leader in every passing category, while Shaw ranks as the Rampage career leader in receiving TDs and holds single-season marks for receiving yards, receiving TDs and points scored.

SERIES HISTORY
Sunday marks the fourth game in the series between the two teams. The Gladiators have roots back to 1997 when they were called the New Jersey Red Dogs form 1997-2002. On the day the movie Gladiator was nominated for numerous Academy Awards, the team changed their name to the New Jersey Gladiators in 2002. Prior to the 2003 AFL season, they moved to Las Vegas. The Rampage dropped their first two games against the New Jersey Red Dogs/Gladiators. In 2000, current Pittsburgh Steelers QB Tommy Maddox led the Red Dogs to victory propelled by his six touchdown tossed and 200 all-purpose yards by Michael Lewis (now with the New Orleans Saints). Four turnovers led to 28 Gladiator points in the 70-42 loss in 2002. Last season, the Rampage devastated the Gladiators in a 48-point blowout that ranks as the biggest margin of victory at home and least amount of points allowed in team history.

LAS VEGAS/NEW JERSEY GLADIATORS (Rampage 1-2)
2000 New Jersey 59, RAMPAGE 52
2002 NEW JERSEY 70, Rampage 42
2003 RAMPAGE 69, Las Vegas 21
(Team in East Rutherford, NJ from 1997-2002; named Red Dogs from 1997-2000)

STATISTICAL COMPARISONS
Here's a closer look at the Rampage-Gladiators game when looking at the AFL's stats. Note – 19th means last in the AFL.

Statistical LAS VEGAS GRAND RAPIDS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 11 48.5 18 33.5
Scoring Defense T15 52.5 T15 52.5
Total Offense 5 272.0 19 162.5
Total Defense 8 242.0 13 270.0
Pass Offense 4 259.0 18 146.0
Pass Defense 11 232.0 13 245.0
Rushing Offense 15 13.0 14 16.5
Rushing Defense 3 10.0 13 25.0
Kick Returns-Avg. 16 13-14.6 4 16-22.4
Turnover Margin T4 +2 T17 -4
Field Goal % T13 0/2 9 2/5
First Downs T2 42 19 29
Opp. First Downs T4 34 T9 36
3rd Down Efficiency 17 57.1 15 42.9
4th Down Efficiency T1 100.0 -2/2 T9 50.0 -1/2

STEVE SMITH NOW RAMPAGE ALL-TIME LEADER IN KICK RETURN TDs
With his two kickoff returns for scores in the first two weeks, Rampage OS Steve Smith has passed Ricky Ross for the team's all-time record for career kick returns for touchdowns with five.

RAMPAGE KICKOFF RETURN TDs – TEAM HISTORY
Steve Smith 5
Ricky Ross 4
Thomas Bailey 3
Willis Marshall 2
Six with 1

SMITH AMONG AFL LEADERS
Through two games, Steve Smith is among the AFL leaders in numerous categories.

KICKOFF RETURNS KICKOFF RETURN YARDS
Steve Smith, GRR 14 Steve Smith, GRR 336
M. Cooper, GEO 11 M. Cooper, GEO 267
A. Lawson, AZ 11 W. Pettis , DAL 202
W. Pettis, DAL 10 S. Robonson, CLB 192

KICKOFF RETURN TDs ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Steve Smith, GRR 2 M. Cooper, GEO 467
S, Robinson, CLB 2 Steve Smith, GRR 431
Four players with 1 A. Bailey, NO 370

RAMPAGE DEFENSE ON THE MOVE
Despite the loss to Colorado, the Rampage defense has steadily improved from the first week to the second. In fact, five of the six passing touchdowns allowed have been due to miscommunication and poor tackling. Still with the six scores allowed, the Rampage defense is tied for third best in the AFL in that category.

LEAST PASSING TDs ALLOWED
Detroit 4
New Orleans 5
Grand Rapids 6
New York 6
Note: Austin (5) and San Jose (4) are not counted since they've played just one game.

DEFENSE STRONG ON THIRD DOWN
Last week, the Rampage stopped the powerful Crush offense on third down all three times, forcing field goal attempts. For the year, the team is tied for second best allowing just 33.3%.

THIRD DOWN EFFICIENCY - DEFENSE
Los Angeles 18.2%
Grand Rapids 33.3%
Detroit 33.3%
Las Vegas 33.3%


NOT DOLEZEL'S 1ST GAME AGAINST GRAND RAPIDS
Prior to 2001 when Clint Dolezel was signed by the Rampage as a free agent, the former All-Arena quarterback had played against the Rampage as a member of the Houston ThunderBears. In four games, Dolezel won the first two during the Rampage's inaugural 1998 season. However, in 1999, the Rampage swept the ThunderBears. Here a brief look at what Dolezel has done against the Rampage.

Game HOU-GR Comp Att Yds TD INT Rating
6/12/98 80-36 W 19 30 267 7 0 131.53
7/10/98 63-49 W 22 39 325 8 1 112.71
5/01/99 65-68 L 24 34 285 4 1 112.99
7/23/99 48-55 L 30 44 350 7 0 131.63
TOTALS vs. GR 95 147 1,227 26 2 124.63





DETAILS OF DOLEZEL TRADE
Prior to the AFL season, the Rampage traded Clint Dolezel to the Las Vegas Gladiators. Here's a look at what the Rampage got in return for the team's all-time leading passer. After all the consequential trades and transactions, the Rampage received two starting lineman, a quarterback and a future consideration from the LA Avengers.

FROM LAS VEGAS TO LAS VEGAS
OL/DL Paul LaQuerre QB Clint Dolezel
OL/DL Hardy Mitchell
WR/LB Sedrick Robinson

FROM COLUMBUS TO COLUMBUS
QB Jeff Loots WR/LB Sedrick Robinson
DS Jason Waters

FROM LOS ANGELES TO LOS ANGELES
Future Considerations DS Jason Waters

RAMPAGE INJURY REPORT
Player Position Injury Status
Nick Gatto K Hip Probable
Jason Gamble OL/DL Ankle Probable
Israel Raybon OL/DL Ankle Probable
Teto Simpson OL/DL Ankle Probable
Hardy Mitchell OL/DL Knee Questionable
Mark Ricks DS Knee Questionable


DOGGETTE NINTH ALL-TIME IN TACKLES
With 7.5 tackles last week against the Crush, Cecil Doggette became the ninth player in league annuals to record 400 career stops. He and Mark Ricks are the first teammates in league history to have at least 400 career tackles each. The two of them have played in a combined 196 regular season AFL games, which also is the most by any active defensive specialist tandem.

STATS DOGGETTE RICKS
AFL Games Played 90 106
Tackles 407.0 (9th) 423.0 (7TH)
Interceptions 27 41 (4TH)
Pass Breakups 111 (3rd) 102 (4TH)

PLAYER TACKLES
Barry Wagner – SJ 617.5
Darryl Hammond – GEO 562.5
Damon Mason – LV 502.0
Cedric Walker – CHI 470.0
Durwood Roquemore 462.5
Carlos James – TB 458.5
Mark Ricks – GR 423.0
Adrian Lunsford 415.0
Cecil Doggette – GR 407.0



MILESTONES IN REACH THIS WEEK (Rampage records)
Player MILESTONE NEEDS
Thomas Bailey 300 catches 5
Thomas Bailey 3,400 rec. yards 6
Thomas Bailey 60 rec. TDs 1
Thomas Bailey Team record – TDs 6 (T. Shaw -76)
Steve Smith 60 rec. TDs 5
Steve Smith 3,000 AP yards 5

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 17, 2004


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