Grand Rapids Rampage game notes

Published on March 4, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


RAMPAGE QUICK FACTS
Grand Rapids Rampage (0-4) at Dallas Desperados (3-1)
Date: Saturday, March 6, 2004
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (EST)
Site: American Airlines Arena (15,978)
Officials: Referee: Riley Johnson; Umpire: Paul Frerking; Head Linesman: Darrel Leftwich; Line Judge: Paul Engelberts; Back Judge: Bud McCleskey


Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson. Coverage begins at 8:10pm (EST)


PR Contact: Andy Lopusnak
Office: 616.559.1871 ext. 3055
Cell: 616.813.2049
E-mail: andy@rampagefootball.com

2004 Rampage Schedule/Results
Feb. 8 at Chicago L 30-50 *
Feb. 14 COLORADO L 37-55
Feb. 22 LAS VEGAS L 14-51
Feb. 29 at San Jose L 31-62
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
The lone NBC game left for the Rampage is 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
The Rampage head off to "Big D" in search of their first win of the season and first in nine regular season games (ten overall). Last season, the teams met for the first time when both were members of the Central Division with each winning at the opposing team's arena. In the first contest, Grand Rapids outscored Dallas 17-0 in the final quarter, including Brian Gowins' 42-yard field goal with five seconds left to secure the Rampage win. The other mathup was the 2003 regular season finale with the winner taking home the Central Division crown. Dallas would prevail thanks to eight TD strikes from First Team All-Arena QB Jim Kubiak and a Tom Briggs fumble recovery in the endzone at the end of the first half.

SERIES HISTORY – DALLAS DESPERADOS (tied 1-1)
3/16/2003 Rampage 45, DALLAS 42
4/18/2003 Dallas 62, RAMPAGE 51

MORE ABOUT THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT
Dallas faced two potential devastating set backs in the pre-season with head coach Joe Avezzano leaving for a job with the NFL's Oakland Raiders and All-Arena QB Jim Kubiak suffering a season-ending injury. Former Rampage defensive coordinator Will McClay took over the reigns for Avezzano and former af2 QB Glen Gauntt was brought in to QB the Desperados. After week one, it look like the season was going to be a disaster as Dallas was blown out (67-41) by the previous 0-16 Carolina Cobras. However, since that loss, Dallas has won three straight double digit wins.

NEXT WEEK
The Rampage return to Van Andel Arena for their lone home game televised on NBC when the Los Angeles Avengers led by 2003 AFL Offensive Player of the Year Chris Jackson and quarterback Tony Graziani. Kickoff is slated for noon on Sunday, March 14 and will be followed by a post-game concert by the Grammy-award winning band Blues Traveler. The game will be televised on NBC. Dallas heads to Carolina looking to avenge their lone loss of the season on Sunday, March 14.

LAST WEEK'S GAME: SABERCATS 62, RAMPAGE 31
Anthony Buich's first AFL start began with an interception return for a touchdown by two-time AFL Defensive Player of the Game Clevan Thomas that gave the San Jose SaberCats a 14-0 lead that they would not relinquish as they cruised to a 62-31 victory.

Buich, the Rampage's third starting QB in four games, would go on to rush in two scores and toss another as he completed 24-of-47 for 219 yards. Without Steve Smith giving the Rampage better field possession with his returns (had only four returns for 96 yards), Grand Rapids was forced to start within their ten yard line until he finally got the ball off the nets late in the second half.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE SABERCATS LOSS
· The INT return for a TD by Clevan Thomas was the fourth given up by the Rampage this season.
· Steve Smith was held to a season-low 162 all-purpose yards
· Anthony Buich became the 5th QB in team history with 2 rushing TDs in the same game (McEwen, Pullig, Kelchner & Kusick).
· Buich's 47 attempts are 4th most in team history. 55 total plays tied for 3rd most.
· Buich is now 6th in team history in passing attempts and completions in just 1 ½ games played.
· Thomas Bailey's 39-yard reception that set up a Rampage TD was the longest play from scrimmage by the Rampage this season.
· Six different receivers caught passes from Buich.
· The Rampage defense forced two missed field goals against San Jose (a week earlier the SaberCats scored on every possession against LA).
· Rampage outscored San Jose 10-6 in the fourth quarter.
· The one passing TD ties the team record for least with two other 2004 games and a game in 2000 vs. Oklahoma.

STATISTICAL COMPARISONS
Here's a closer look at the Rampage-Desperados game when looking at the AFL's stats. Note – 19th means last in the AFL.
Statistical RAMPAGE DALLAS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 19 28.0 7 49.8
Scoring Defense 18 54.5 12T 48.3
Total Offense 19 169.8 6 262.8
Total Defense 16 268.5 9 246.5
Pass Offense 17 158.5 5 237.3
Pass Defense 7 249.8 8T 227.0
Rushing Offense 19 11.3 9 25.5
Rushing Defense 17 18.8 9 19.5
Kick Returns-Avg. 2 23.2 5 20.2
Turnover Margin 19 -8 15T -3

FORMER af2 QBs FACEOFF THIS SATURDAY
Both team's QBs started their indoor careers in arenafootball2. They are among the four current former af2 QBs that are starting in the AFL. Gauntt got his first AFL start against the Rampage last season with Carolina tossing four scores with three interceptions as Grand Rapids doubled-up the Cobras 68-34.

PLAYER AFL TEAM af2 TEAM
Anthony Buich Grand Rapids Iowa/Tulsa/Wichita (2001-03)
Glen Gauntt Dallas Augusta (2001-02)
John Rayborn Columbus Macon (2002)
Shane Stafford Tampa Bay Tallahassee (2000)

BISHOP SIGNED; EXPECTED TO COMPETE FOR START
Michael Bishop was officially signed to a two-year deal on Tuesday and will be competing for the starting position with Anthony Buich. Bishop was the 1998 Davey O'Brien National QB of the Year and runner-up to the Heisman, Maxwell, Associated Press Player of the Year and Unitas Award. He was a first-team All-American pick by Football News and The Sporting News and was a first-team All-Big 12 pick, leading the Big 12 in total offense and in passing efficiency.

ARENA TEAMS 0-4 TO REACH THE PLAYOFFS
Despite starting 0-4, the Rampage are attempting to be the 4th team in AFL history to start at least 0-4 and reach the playoffs. Most recently, the New York Dragons started 0-6 before finishing 8-8 and winning the Eastern Division.

YEAR TEAM START FINAL
2003 NY Dragons 0-6 8-8 *
2000 Buffalo Destroyers 0-8 5-10
1999 Milwaukee Mustangs 0-5 7-7

* denotes a win in the first round of the playoffs.

SMITH FIRST THREE GAMES – ALL CAREER HIGHS
In the first three games of 2004, Steve Smith posted the top three career games in terms of all-purpose and kickoff return yardage.

GAME AP Yards Kick Return Yards
2/14 vs. COL 238 168
2/08 at CHI 193 168
2/22 vs. LVG 192 155


SMITH NEARLY DOUBLES TOTALS IN KICK RETURNS
In just four games, Steve Smith has nearly doubled his career totals in kick returns and yardage compared to his first 27 AFL games.

Stats This Season 2002-03
Games 4 27
Returns 23 24
Yards 587 612
Average 25.5 25.5
TDs 2 3

SMITH 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 three games, Steve Smith leads the AFL or is tied in four categories, including kickoff returns, kickoff return yards and all-purpose yards.

KICKOFF RETURNS KICKOFF RETURN YARDS
Steve Smith, GRR 23 Steve Smith, GRR 587
M. Cooper, GEO 16 M. Cooper, GEO 364
A. Lawson, AZ 15 C. Johnson, NY 310
C. Johnson, NY 14 A. Lawson, AZ 277

KICKOFF RETURN TDs ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Steve Smith, GRR 2 Steve Smith, GRR 785
S, Robinson, CLB 2 M. Cooper, GEO 733
R. Davis, SJ 2 W. Pettis, DAL 659


RAMPAGE INJURY REPORT
Player Position Injury Status
Raphael Ball DS Shoulder Probable
Paul LaQuerre OL/DL Ankle Probable
Jason Gamble OL/DL Ribs Probable
Chris Avery FB/LB Ankle Probable

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

AFL ON NBC – WEEK FIVE
Four games are slated to be televised on NBC this week, including the Chicago Rush at the Philadelphia Soul that will air locally at noon this Sunday on WOOD TV channel 8.

Las Vegas at Georgia San Jose at New York
Chicago at Philadelphia Tampa Bay at New Orleans


DOGGETTE NINTH ALL-TIME IN TACKLES
With 7.5 tackles against the Crush (2/14), Cecil Doggette became the ninth player in league annuals to record 400 career stops. He and Mark Ricks are the second pair of 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 91 106
Tackles 411.0 (9th) 424.5 (7TH)
Interceptions 27 41 (4TH)
Pass Breakups 113 (3rd) 102 (4TH)


TEXAS CONNECTIONS
Chris Avery attended the training camp of the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. Thomas Bailey was born in Dallas. Michael Bishop is from Galveston and went to Blinn Junior College where he led them to two national titles. He also attended Willis High and was an all-County and all-state selection. Rick Frazier got his Physical Education degree from East Texas State and served as head coach for many high schools in Texas and at Cisco College. Nick Gatto resides in Spring, Texas in the off season and attended Klein High in Houston. Also was a teammate of Bishop at Blinn. Carlos Johnson played two seasons at Lane College and went to Tyler Junior College and Martin High in Arlington. Rod Manuel is from Ft. Worth‘s Western Hills High School, where he was All-State and a Dallas Morning News Top 100 selection.

HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE TEAMMATES TOGETHER AGAIN
Michael Bishop/Nick Gatto Blinn Junior College
Michael Bishop/Brian Goolsby Kansas State
Steve Smith/Nakia Jenkins Glades H.S./Utah State

RAMPAGE HEAD COACH AT A GLANCE - Bob Cortese
12-20 (.375) reg. season; 13-21 (.387) overall
Bob Cortese is in his first season as head coach of the Rampage and third overall in the AFL. He posted a 12-16 mark in two seasons (2000-01) as the Oklahoma Wranglers head coach. A veteran coach with over 30 years of experience, he amassed 244 wins at the high school and collegiate levels. An assistant with the Portland Forest Dragons, Cortese moved with the team when it relocated to Oklahoma City in 2000. Cortese joined the af2's Wichita Stealth in 2002 as director of football operations and offensive coordinator. He became head coach prior to the 2003 season and went 4-3 before resigning for personal reasons.

DESPERADOS COACH AT A GLANCE – Will McClay
McClay took over for Joe Avezzano on February 5 as Dallas Head Coach. He was the defensive coordinator/director of player personnel for the Rampage from 1998-99 and also served on staffs for the Anaheim (1997), Florida (1996), Milwaukee (1995) and Detroit. He played three ArenaBowl championships with the Detroit Drive from 1989-92.

SEEING RED
For the first time in team history, the Rampage will wear red jerseys on the road. The Desperados wear white jerseys for their home games. Last season when the Rampage beat Dallas, Grand Rapids wore white jerseys.


RAMPAGE FIRST SIX OPPONENTS AMONG THE BEST
According to the AFL Writers Association and ArenaFan Online, the Rampage have faced some of the top teams in the AFL through their first six weeks (Dallas this week and LA next).

Rk AFLWA ArenaFan
1. San Jose San Jose
2. Chicago Chicago
3. Colorado Los Angeles
4. Dallas New Orleans
5. New Orleans Colorado
6. Los Angeles Tampa Bay
9. Las Vegas 13. Las Vegas

RAMPAGE MAKE TEN ROSTER MOVES THIS WEEK
In the most active week since the end of training camp, the Rampage made ten roster changes, including signing to the active roster Michael Bishop, Nakia Jenkins and Shawn Foreman.

March 4 Signed to Practice Squad Antonio Watson
Adrian Wilson

March 3 Activate from Injured Reserve Jermaine Benoit

March 2 Signed Michael Bishop
Nakia Jenkins
Shawn Foreman

March 1 Waived Brent Petrus
Terry Grooms
Antonio Watson
Alvin Ashley

AFL HIGHLIGHTS TO BE OFFERED IN WEEKLY FEED
The Arena Football League will provide a half-hour satellite highlight feed every Sunday at 8 p.m. (ET) for interested television stations. The weekly feeds will be every Sunday throughout the 2004 season.

WHAT: AFL Weekly Highlight Feed
WHEN: Every Sunday
TIME: 8-8:30 PM ET (weekly)
WHERE: Telstar 6-Transponder 11 (C-Band)
Downlink Frequency: 3920 Vertical
Audio: 6.2/6.8
Trouble Number: 201.807.0572

Following is the content of the weekly half-hour feed:

Top 5 Plays: The five best plays from the week's AFL action.

Total AFL: Various category compilations, including Great Hits, Fantastic Finishes, Over the Wall and Off the Net.

Game Highlights: Extended highlight packages of AFL games from the weekend with occasional post-game sound.

Repeat: Top 5 Plays and Total AFL packages will repeat to end feed.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 4, 2004


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.

OurSports Central