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Greisen to Make First UFL Start

November 3, 2010 - United Football League (UFL 1)
Florida Tuskers News Release


ORLANDO, FL - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010 - With 2009 United Football League MVP Brooks Bollinger suffering from thumb, neck and rib injuries, Head Coach Jay Gruden announced today that Chris Greisen would be his starting quarterback when the Florida Tuskers host the Omaha Nighthawks on Friday night in the Citrus Bowl.

"It was apparent that Brooks was having some difficulties making his throws against Sacramento last week and those troubles continued this week in practice," Gruden said. "He's having some trouble with his thumb and we just felt that Chris would give us the best chance to win this game."

At 2-3 on the season, the Tuskers are battling Omaha (3-2) for the second and final spot in the UFL Championship game. Las Vegas (5-1) has already clinched a spot; while Hartford (2-4) and Sacramento (2-4) also remain alive. The Tuskers will have two games left after Friday, hosting Hartford on Nov. 11, before finishing the regular season with a Nighthawk rematch in Omaha on Nov. 19.

Although four teams remain alive for the final championship game, Florida's two games with Omaha loom large. "Really we control our own destiny," Gruden said. "Win all three remaining games and we are in, but Omaha can say the same thing. To some extent every remaining game is going to feel like a playoff game."

Even though Greisen will be making his first UFL start, Gruden has a lot of confidence in the 6-3, former Northwest Missouri State standout. This is Greisen's second season with the Tuskers and he has started Arena Football League games with the Georgia Force and Milwaukee Iron. He also has playing experience in NFL Europe and the NFL.

Greisen led the Arena Football League last past season with passer rating of 128.2, throwing for 5,146 yards and 107 touchdowns. For his Arena career, he has more than 15,000 passing yards and 324 touchdowns. With the Rhein Fire in 2003, he threw for 843 yards and 10 touchdowns in helping that team to a 6-4 record and an appearance in the World Bowl. Greisen has also seen action in the NFL, playing in five games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2000 and 2001.

"Although he hasn't started for us, Chris knows our system," Gruden said. "He's been with us for the past two years. He's a smart quarterback, he's tough and he has a load of professional experience. We have a lot of confidence in him and know he will do a good job for us."

"I would not be truthful if I said I wasn't a little nervous," Greisen said. "Today, I woke up an hour and half earlier that I normally do and kept having plays and reads running through my head. But it's not nervous in the sense of fear. It's more like excitement. While it's my first UFL start, I have started professional games in the Arena League for four years. I know as a professional starting quarterback, all eyes are going to be on me. Everyone on the team looks for you to be a leader and to make the right calls and make the right decisions. For me, it's a matter of not wanting to let my teammates down and make those right decisions."

In an unusual twist of fate, Greisen will be facing another first. Chris' brother, Nick Greisen, is a linebacker for the Omaha Nighthawks and it will mark the first time Chris has played against his brother in a football game. "It's a little weird, but it won't have any effect on me. If anything, I will have some extra incentive to do well because I know Nick will never give it a rest if he gets the best of me."

Kickoff is slated for just after 8 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The game can be heard live on WYGM (740 The Game), beginning with a 7:30 p.m. pre-game show. The contest is also being broadcast live on HD NET. Tickets, beginning at $15, may be purchased at the gate, through any TICKETMASTER outlet or by calling 407-377-6828.

TUSKERS NOTEBOOK: The Tuskers announced today the signing of former NFL veteran Grady Jackson...a 12-year NFL veteran, Jackson has played in more than 150 games and has made almost 130 starts in his career...Jackson's stats include 359 career tackles and 35.5 quarterback sacks while playing for Detroit, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Green Bay, New Orleans and Oakland from 1997-2009...To make room for Jackson, the Tuskers waived defensive lineman Carlton Powell....Orlando also played linebacker Weston Dacus on injured reserve for a hamstring injury...under UFL rules, Dacus will miss the next four games...Florida signed former Illinois great Jeremy "J" Leman as a replacement...Leman was a consensus All-America selection for the Illini and led the team to a Rose Bowl appearance...for a neat look at the UFL and its players, check out: www.YouTube.com/theUFL.

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