
Grand Rapids Rampage game notes
May 26, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release
RAMPAGE QUICK FACTS
Grand Rapids Rampage (1-14) vs. Detroit Fury (4-11)
Date: Saturday, May 29, 2004
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,592)
Officials: Referee: Jerome Boger; Umpire: Rick Nelson; Head Linesman: Rusty Spindel; Line Judge: Dennis Lipski; Back Judge: Rich Wilborn
Series Record: Rampage lead 4-2
2001 RAMPAGE 45, Detroit 41
DETROIT 75, Rampage 63
2002 RAMPAGE 49, Detroit 45
Rampage 63, DETROIT 60
2003 Detroit 55, RAMPAGE 54 (playoff)
2004 Rampage 49, DETROIT 45
Coaches:
Rick Frazier, GR â 5th season (24-36)
Tom Luginbill, DET â 1st season (4-11)
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM with Joe Parson and Tom Sullivan. Tape-delayed â heard immediately following WhiteCaps baseball.
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 L 50-66
March 14 LOS ANGELES L 33-48 *
--- BYE ---
March 26 at Indiana L 42-45
April 4 ARIZONA L 41-51
April 10 at Detroit W 49-45
April 17 INDIANA L 49-67
April 23 at Colorado L 30-69
May 1 AUSTIN L 27-40
May 8 CHICAGO L 35-63
May 14 at Columbus L 28-59
May 22 at Carolina L 31-36
May 29 DETROIT 7:30
* indicates a game broadcast on NBC
All times are Eastern, in the PM and subject to change.
ON YOUR RADIO DIAL
Join radio Analyst Tom Sullivan and Interim Head Coach Rick Frazier for Rampage Roundup this Wednesday night from 6-7pm at THE STACK at the American Seating Park for all the news on the Rampage straight from the Coach.
Rampage games can be heard on WBBL 1340 AM with Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan calling all the action.
THIS WEEK
The 2004 season comes to a close this Saturday night as cross-state rivals, the Detroit Fury, invade Van Andel Arena. Both teams have struggled immensely since they met in Week Eleven. Grand Rapids has dropped six straight, while Detroit has lost seven straight. Last week, both teams lost last-second heartbreakers. The Rampage failed to score on fourth down with seven seconds left that gave Carolina a 36-31 win. Detroit was winning against Colorado before the Crush scored with just one second left to win 45-42. The game features the teams with the two worst records in the AFL as far as wins & losses and turnover ratio.
THE LAST TIME: Grand Rapids 49, Detroit 45
The Rampage got their first win of the season and snapped a 14-game losing streak as they prevailed 49-45 over Detroit. Michael Bishop got his first Arena start and completed nine-of-18 for 144 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. However, he would not finish the game as Anthony Buich started the second half down 35-29. Buich proceeded to drive the Rampage to score on all four of his possessions. Mark Ricks earned his first AFL Defensive Player of the Week by intercepting an Andy Kelly pass with 14 seconds left to secure the Rampage win.
CECIL IS TOP DOG
Last week, Rampage DS Cecil Doggette broke up two passes which put him all-time as the AFL's career leader in pass breakups. He is also is leading the AFL in the category. Here's a look at the top five all-time leaders in pass breakups.
AFL CAREER PASS BREAKUPS PASS BREAKUPS
Cecil Doggette â GR 135
Chris Barber 133
Tracey Perkins 130
Mark Ricks â GR 116
Derek Stingley â DAL 106
Barry Wagner â SJ 105
HOME NOT SO SWEET HOME
Oddly enough, the Rampage statistically are better on the road than at home. Here's a look at the Rampage's journey on the road vs. their home games offensively.
CATEGORY (average) HOME ROAD DIFFERENCE
Points 33.7 36.4 2.7
Total Yards 203.7 243.1 39.4
Total Yards per Play 5.1 5.8 0.7
Passing Yards 179.9 222.5 42.6
Passer Rating 82.41 91.02 8.61
Rushing TDs (total) 7 12 5
Passing TDs (total) 21 27 6
Turnovers (total) 18 13 5
STATISTICAL COMPARISON: Here's a breakdown of where the two teams stand compared to each other and to the rest of the AFL. Note: 19 or 18T = last in the AFL.
Statistical FURY RAMPAGE
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 15 46.5 19 35.1
Scoring Defense 18 53.3 19 53.8
Total Offense 6 271.7 19 224.7
Total Defense 16 273.4 14 270.7
Pass Offense 3 260.7 19 202.6
Pass Defense 8 239.9 15 247.7
Rushing Offense 18T 11.0 8 22.1
Rushing Defense 19 33.5 12 22.9
Kick Returns-Avg. 4 19.5 1 21.7
Turnover Margin 18T -21 18T -21
CARLOS DOING WELL AS SMITH'S REPLACEMENT
In his first game as OS this season due to the season-ending injury to Steve Smith, Carlos Johnson caught 14 passes for 173 yards and had a touchdown. Here's a look at where that ranks in team history and how it compares to his previous games this season.
GAMES REC YDS AVG TD
1st 4 games 10 103 10.3 1
Vs. Carolina 14 173 12.4 1
RAMPAGE SINGLE-GAME ALL-TIME HIGHS
RECEPTIONS YARDS
15 â Thomas Bailey (6/19/99) 211 â Thomas Bailey (6/19/99)
15 â Terrill Shaw (6/16/01) 176 â Steve Smith (5/11/02)
14 â Carlos Johnson (5/22/04) 173â Carlos Johnson (5/22/04)
14 â Thomas Bailey (7/01/99) 173 â Terrill Shaw (4/19/03)
THOSE PESKY TURNOVERS
The Rampage enter this week's contest having turned over the ball 31 times. Sadly, those turnovers have resulted in 161 points for Grand Rapids' opponents. Seven of the turnovers have been returned for scores, while only four turnovers have not resulted in points.
Category Rampage Opponents
Turnovers by (points off) 31 (161) 10 (36)
Score resulting from turnover 6 26
TDs resulting from turnover 5 23
Games with at least one turnover 13 of 15 7 of 15
Games with 2 or more turnovers 9 of 15 3 of 15
Games with 3 or more turnovers 6 of 15 None
Games with 4 or more turnovers 3 of 15 None
WALKING WOUNDED
Including this week's game, the Rampage have had 15 players spent time on injured reserve that have missed a combined 95 games.
Barry Dillard 16*
Jeff Loots 14*
Brian Goolsby 10*
Nakia Jenkins 7
Rickie Simpkins 7*
Jason Waters 7*
Carlos Johnson 6
Raphael Ball 5*
Jermaine Benoit 5*
Jason Gamble 5*
Ron Perry 4
Rod Manuel 4*
Steve Smith 2*
Shawn Foreman 2*
Cecil Doggette 1
95 games missed * - means player is currently on IR.
DOGGETTE TIED 5TH SINGLE-SEASON PASS BREAKUP MARK
To accent his fantastic season, Cecil Doggette's 26 pass breakups are tied for the fifth-most in AFL single-season history. Here's a look at the top seven single-season breakup seasons.
Player Year PBUs
Tommy Henry, TB 2001 40
Tommy Henry, TB 2000 35
Johnnie Harris, TB 1998 33
Derek Stingley, ALB 1999 27
Cecil Doggette, GR 2004 26
Chris Barber, ORL 1997 26
Kenny McEntyre, ORL 2002 26
RAMPAGE INJURY REPORT
Player Position Injury Status
Stephen Scaldaferri K Back Probable
Antonio Watson DS Hamstring Questionable
RAMPAGE IN WRONG AFL RECORD BOOKS
With a 1-14 season (so far), the Rampage have placed themselves in the company of teams that you truly do not want to be with. Here's a look of some AFL records the Rampage wish they had no part in.
MOST GAMES LOST, SEASON
16 Carolina Cobras 2003
14 Grand Rapids Rampage 2004
14 Memphis Pharaohs 1996
13 Texas Terror 1996
13 Buffalo Destroyers 1999
13 Detroit Fury 2002
MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES LOST (including playoffs)
18 Memphis Pharaohs 1995-96
16 Carolina Cobras 2003
15 Grand Rapids Rampage 2003-04
15 Milwaukee Mustangs 1994-95
MOST CONSECTIVE HOME GAMES LOST (including playoffs)
16 Carolina Cobras 2002-04
11 Grand Rapids Rampage 2003-04 (active)
10 New York CityHawks 1997-98
BUICH THIRD IN ALL PASSING CATEGORIES
Anthony Buich stands as the third all-time leader in team history in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns in just this season alone.
Completions Attempts Yards TDs
Dolezel â 1,065 Dolezel â 1,625 Dolezel - 12,260 Dolezel â 248
Kusick â 552 Kusick â 851 Kusick â 6,210 Kusick â 109
Buich â 217 Buich â 363 Buich â 2,351 Buich â 35
DOGGETTE NEAR TOPS IN AFL IN TWO CATEGORIES
Cecil Doggette, despite missing nearly three games, leads the AFL in pass breakups and is tied for second in forced fumbles.
AFL PASS BREAKUP LEADERS
Cecil Doggette, Grand Rapids 26
Joseph Todd, Philadelphia 21
Jonathan Ordway, Tampa Bay 20
Monty Montgomery, New Orleans 19
Anthony Derricks, Indiana 19
AFL FORCED FUMBLE LEADERS
Brett Bech, Indiana 5
Cecil Doggette, Grand Rapids 4
James Baron, Chicago 4
BJ Cohen, New Orleans 4
Aaron Humphrey, Austin 4
DEFENSIVE DUOS
Cecil Doggette and Mark Ricks are two of the most veteran defensive specialist in the league. No other defensive specialist tandem has more tackles, interceptions, breakups or games played in the AFL.
STATS DOGGETTE RICKS
AFL Games Played 101 117
Tackles 455.0 (8TH) 460 (7TH)
Interceptions 28 43 (T-3rd)
Pass Breakups 135 (1st) 116 (4TH)
CECIL DIESELS TO TWO NEW TACKLE MARKS
Against Austin, Cecil Doggette set shattered team marks for single game tackles and became the Rampage's all-time leader in tackles. Here's a look at the top five single-game and career tackle leaders in Rampage history. He also is the all-time leader in tackles and pass breakups with two Arena teams â Grand Rapids & the Arizona Rattlers.
TACKLES â GAME
Cecil Doggette 5/01/04 vs. AUS 15.0
Anthony Bridges 6/05/99 vs. TB 10.5
Joseph Todd 4/27/02 vs. IND 10.0
Cecil Doggette 3/16/03 at DAL 9.5
Jamal Ellis 7/01/99 vs. NAS 9.5
TACKLES â CAREER
Cecil Doggette 2003-04 130.0
Michael Baker 1998-02 114.0
Jo Jo Polk 2001-02 103.5
Raphael Ball 98-99, 01, 04 102.5
Anthony Bridges 1998-99 90.5
AFL ALL-TIME LEADERS - DEFENSE (Italics = active)
PLAYER TACKLES
Barry Wagner, SJ 672.0
Darryl Hammond, AUS 582.5
Damon Mason, ORL 580.0
Cedric Walker, AUS 525.5
Carlos James, TB 466.0
D. Roquemore 462.5
Mark Ricks, GR 460.0
Cecil Doggette, GR 455.0
Derek Stingley, DAL 433.5
Shea Showers, TB 426.0
Adrian Lundsford, DET 427.0
OH MY JOSH
It took a month, but since then rookie WR/DB Josh Bush has become the team's go-to receiver. Since the first for weeks, he caught more passes for more yards and touchdowns than any other player on the team.
GAMES REC YDS AVG TD 10+ GAINS
1st 4 gms 10 82 8.2 0 2
Since 41 548 13.4 9 15
DUTCHER IS IN THE CLUTCH
Since being signed from the practice squad in week four, Jeremy Dutcher has become the starting WR/LB for the team. The Ottawa Hills grad is the most prolific receiver to have spent time on any AFL practice squad this season.
REC YDS AVG TD
49 565 11.5 8
HOT ROD OUT FOR SEASON
Through 12 games, the 2004 season was a banner year for Rod Manuel, who equaled his career total for tackles and more than doubled his sack total this season. However, he injured his ACL in the Rampage's 40-27 loss to Austin and was placed on injured reserve following the game. Here's a look at his 2004 season compared to his previous three AFL seasons.
2001-03 2004
Games Played 28 12
Tackles 20.0 20.0
Sacks 1.0 2.5
Pass Breakups 6 3
Forced Fumbles 0 2
Fumble Recoveries 0 1
SMITH OUT FOR REST OF SEASON
Steve Smith injured his ankle with 9:42 left in the second quarter against Columbus and was placed on injured reserve following the details of an MRI that showed that he will need surgery. This effectively ends his impressive 2004 season. Here's a look back at his numbers and where they rank in team single-season record books.
CATEGORY RAMPAGE SINGLE SEASON RANK STAT
Kickoff Returns 1st 63
Kickoff Return Yards 1st 1,514
Kickoff Returns for TDs 1st 5
Combined Returns 1st 70
Combined Return Yards 1st 1,676
Combined Returns for TDs 1st 5
All-Purpose Yards 2nd 2,333
Missed FG Returns 3rd 7
Missed FG Return Yards 3rd 162
SMITH DID IT "ALL"
In eleven of his thirteen games this season, Steve Smith posted some of his highest yardage marks in terms of all-purpose yards. Here's a look at his top 12 all-purpose yardage games. Italics = 2004 game.
Rank Game All-purpose Yards
1. 3/06 at DAL 252
2. 2/14 vs. COL 250
3. 4/17 vs. IND 224
4. 5/08 vs. CHI 215
5. 5/01 vs. AUS 204
6. 2/08 at CHI 193
7. 2/22 vs. LVG 192
8. 5/11/02 vs. ORL 176
9. 4/04/04 vs. AZ 169
10. 3/26 at IND 163
11. 2/28 at SJ 162
12. 3/14 vs. LA 161
SMITH WAS AMONG AFL BEST BEFORE INJURY
With his season over, Steve Smith ranked at the top or near the top in numerous AFL categories through Week 15.
Categories AFL Rank Stats
Kick Return Yards 1st 1514
Kick Returns 1st 63
Kick Return for TDs 1st 5
MFG Return Yds/Avg. 1st (min 5 ret) 23.1
MFG Return Yards 2nd 162
All-purpose Yards 2nd 2333
All-purpose Yds/Game 2nd 179.5
MFG Returns T-2nd 7
Kick Return Yds/Avg. 3rd 24.0
2004 RAMPAGE GAME AWARD WINNERS
Wk Offensive Defensive IRONMAN
1 Philyaw, CHI Sawyer, CHI Fleshman, CHI
2 Dutton, COL Floyd, COL McKenzie, COL
3 Dolezel, LVG TJ Hill, LVG D. Robinson, LVG
4 Grieb, SJ C. Thomas, SJ Wagner, SJ
5 Gauntt/Sippio, DAL C. Moore, DAL Weatherington, DAL
6 Graziani, LA R. Manuel, GR Ingram, LA
8 McPherson, IND Doggette, GR Hlavacek, IND
9 Bonner, AZ Doggette, GR Gatewood, AZ
10 Avery, GR Ricks, GR Avery, GR
11 McPherson, IND Derricks, IND Penright, IND
12 Harrell, COL Floyd, COL Marshall, COL
13 Kaleo, AUS Doggette, GR Chiaverini, AUS
14 Philyaw, CHI Moyer, CHI McMillen, CHI
15 Vena, CLB Ward, CLB White, CLB
16 Foggie, CAR Vinson, CAR Humphries, CAR
2004 AFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Wk Offensive Defensive IRONMAN
1 M. Nagy, Car O. Smith, SJ W. Holder, NY
2 M. Cooper, Geo K. Ingram, LA K. McKenzie, COL
3 N. Browder, Phi J. Moyer, Chi R. Davis, SJ
4 C. Dolezel, LV L. Samuels, TB H. Cooper, AZ
5 A. Garcia, NY L. Moore, NO J. Smith, ORL
6 Grieb/Nash D. Burks, GEO L. Dupree, NY
7 T. Fontaine, AUS B. McMillen, CHI J. Hillery, CAR
8 T. Davis, DET R. Floyd, COL J. Roe, SJ
9 C. Jackson/J. Roe C. Ryan, PHIL J. Polk, CLB
10 J. Hamilton, ORL M. Ricks, GR K. McKenzie, COL
11 S. Bonner, AZ M. Montgomery, NO TT Toliver, TB
12 T. Graziani, LA K. McEntyre, ORL C. Blaylock, LVG
13 M. Grieb, SJ C. Johnson, NY S. Robinson, CLB
14 S. Bonner, AZ C. Bonner, LV C. Fleming, ORL
15 A. McPherson, IND J. Moyer, CHI B. Wagner, SJ
HEAD COACHES:
Rick Frazier â Grand Rapids, 5th season (24-36)
Former Milwaukee Mustangs Head Coach Rick Frazier took the reigns as interim head coach following the departure of Bob Cortese, who began the season as the club's head coach at 1-10. He brings more than a quarter century worth of football coaching experience to the Grand Rapids, including nearly a decade of Arena experience. Frazier spent seven seasons with the Milwaukee Mustangs (1995-2001) and from 1998-2001 was the team's head coach. Following the Mustangs being contracted before the 2002 season, he served as the Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for the Toronto Phantoms, then was the head coach of the af2's Norfolk Nighthawks in 2003. In 1996, Frazier's Mustang defense was the top-ranked unit in Arena Football leading the league in total defense, pass defense and sacks. In 1997 and 1998, they finished fifth in total defense.
Tom Luginbill â Detroit, 1st season (4-11)
Tom Luginbill, part of the only father-son coaching tandem in the Arena Football League with his father Al, steps into his first head coaching position in the AFL with the Fury. Tom brings an impressive coaching resume and understanding of the Arena game after serving most recently as Fury assistant head coach in 2003.
Last season, Luginbill helped reverse the Fury fortune from 1-13 in 2002 to 8-8 in 2003, and helped guide the franchise to their first-ever playoff victory. The regular season mark tied the AFL's single-season record for largest turnaround. Luginbill also helped bring key players to Detroit, including quarterback Andy Kelly and defensive specialist Ron Carpenter.
ARENABOWL XVII PLAYOFF SEEDINGS
(top eight qualify for playoffs/top four get home games)
1. x-San Jose (11-4) * head-to-head over CHI
2. x-Chicago (11-4) *
3. x-Arizona (10-5) common opp. over NO, COL
4. x-New Orleans (10-5) * common opp. over COL
5. x-Colorado (10-5)
6. Los Angeles (9-6) common opp. over ORL
7. Orlando (9-6)
8. Tampa Bay (8-7) common opp. over NY, AUS
9. New York (8-7) * common opp. over AUS
10. Austin (8-7)
11. Indiana (8-8)
12. Las Vegas (7-8)
13. Columbus (6-9) common opp. over GEO,CAR, DAL
14. Georgia (6-9) common opp. over CAR, DAL
15. Carolina (6-9) head-to-head pts over DAL
16. Dallas (6-9)
17. Philadelphia (5-10)
18. Detroit (4-11)
19. Grand Rapids (1-14)
x - clinched playoff berth * - current division leader
THIS WEEK'S GAMES
Saturday, May 29
Carolina at Georgia 7:00pm
Detroit at Grand Rapids 7:30pm
Sunday, May 30
Arizona at San Jose 4:00pm
Orlando at Los Angeles 4:00pm
Philadelphia at New York 4:00pm
Austin at New Orleans 4:00pm
Tampa Bay at Dallas 4:00pm
Chicago at Colorado 4:00pm
Columbus at Las Vegas 4:00pm
BYE: Indiana
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
QUARTERFINALS
Saturday, June 5 3:00pm
Saturday, June 5 3:00pm
Sunday, June 6 3:00pm
Sunday, June 6 3:00pm
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, June 12 3:00pm
Sunday, June 13 3:00pm
ARENABOWL XVIII
Sunday, June 27 4:00pm
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 26, 2004
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- Predators make roster moves - Orlando Predators
- Los Angeles Avengers game notes - Los Angeles Avengers
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
- Columbus Destroyers game notes - Columbus Destroyers
- Detroit Fury game notes - Detroit Fury
- Grand Rapids Rampage game notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
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.
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