Gruden Ready to Face Former Team
Published on February 6, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
GRUDEN SPECIAL: On January 26, Orlando Predators quarterback JAY GRUDEN -- who moonlighted as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant coach during the 2002 season -- won his seventh pro football championship when the Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
One week later, Gruden, 35, returned to the field and looked impressive under center in the Orlando Predators' win at Chicago, passing (18-of-26) for 200 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. On NBC this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, he faces his former team, the Tampa Bay Storm in the 'War on I-4.
Gruden has won six ArenaBowl championships. He earned four ArenaBowls as a player with Tampa Bay from 1991-96 before retiring to become a coach. He was elected to the Arena Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1999. As head coach of the Orlando Predators from 1998-2001, Gruden won two more ArenaBowls, but returned to the field as quarterback of the Predators in 2002.
Following is a summary of Gruden's football history:
Occupation Team League Years Championships
Quarterback Louisville NCAA 1985-88
Quarterback Tampa Bay Storm AFL 1991-96 4 ArenaBowls
Assistant Coach Nashville Kats AFL 1997
Head Coach Orlando Predators AFL 1998-2001 2 ArenaBowls
Quarterback Orlando Predators AFL 2002
Assistant Coach Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL 2002 Super Bowl
Quarterback Orlando Predators AFL 2003 ???
A LOSS IS NOT ALL BAD: The Arizona Rattlers lost the season opener last week to the San Jose SaberCats. But, did you know that Arizona also came away empty on the first game of the season in 1994, 1997 and 2002, all of which resulted in ArenaBowl appearances for the Rattlers?
MAKING THE MOST OF HIS TIME: Buffalo Destroyers OS GUNNARD TWYNER tallied 134 receiving yards, three touchdowns and 204 all-purpose yards against the Grand Rapids Rampage. In his opening day performance, he managed to surpass his season totals of a year ago and was one reception shy of the nine he achieved in 2002 with the Tampa Bay Storm.
OPENING THE SEASON... AVENGER STYLE: Los Angeles Avengers QB TONY GRAZIANI and OS CHRIS JACKSON might be starting an opening day tradition in LA-LA Land. Last week against the Las Vegas Gladiators, Graziani connected with Jackson on a 31-yard TD to launch the 2003 campaign. Following last season's six-touchdown performance in Week 1, Jackson turned out another stellar performance managing 11 receptions for 242 yards and five touchdowns.
TOP FIVE 2003 TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION LEADERS*
Rank Name Team Rec Yards TDs
1t Chris Jackson Los Angeles Avengers 9 164 5
1t Damien Harrell Colorado Crush 8 135 5
3t Travis McGriff Orlando Predators 6 116 4
3t Mike Horacek Las Vegas Gladiators 11 97 4
5t Gunnard Twyner Buffalo Destroyers 8 134 3
5t Freddie Solomon Tampa Bay Storm 10 132 3
5t Steve Smith Grand Rapids Rampage 9 116 3
5t Ty Grovesteen Detroit Fury 9 83 3
* Through Week 1
DOUBLE DIGITS HORACEK: Last week in Los Angeles marked the sixth game in a row in which Las Vegas Gladiators WR/DB MIKE HORACEK caught a minimum of 10 receptions, including postseason play. The streak dates back to June 29, 2002.
SCARIN' THE âDICKEN'S OUT OF âEM: Chicago Rush QB BILLY DICKEN had two of his better games last season in victories over Dallas. During the regular season, Dicken threw for 261 yards (15-for-24) and six touchdowns in the overtime 58-52 victory. In the quarterfinal contest, he went 17-for-28 for 297 yards and seven touchdowns. Dicken threw four touchdown passes in the final quarter, including strikes of 47 and 45 yards.
I'LL TAKE TWO, PLEASE: San Jose SaberCats OS JAMES HUNDON has tallied at least two touchdowns in the last seven regular season games dating back to June 15, 2002. Hundon's consecutive two-touchdown minimum has resulted in a 6-1 record for San Jose.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING: The last time a Chicago football team won in Dallas was December 21, 1986, when the NFL's Chicago Bears defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 24-10.
FLYING HIGH: The Firebirds have started the season 2-0 four times in team history ('94, '97, â98','00). In the four years, the âBirds have gone on to win their Division Championship in three of the seasons ('94, '98, '00).
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 6, 2003
- Gruden Ready to Face Former Team - AFL I
- Gladiators Release OL/DL Ramon Richardson - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Tale of Two Teams - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Firebirds Launch Literacy Program - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Penalties, Game Length Decrease - AFL I
- AFL Rating Ties Best Ever - AFL I
- Cobras Announce More Roster Moves - Carolina Cobras
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