Gruden Returns to AFL on NBC

April 17, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

NEW YORK - April 17, 2003 - This Sunday the Arena Football League on NBC is highlighted by the return of Orlando's quarterback Jay Gruden, who is making his first network appearance since an injury sidelined him last February. Gruden and his Orlando teammates will face Las Vegas at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando on Sunday, April 20 at 3 p.m. ET. The AFL on NBC also will include regional coverage of Dallas at Chicago and Colorado at Tampa Bay at 3 p.m. ET.

The AFL on NBC Studio Show, a TelePrompTer-free zone, hosted by Al Trautwig with analysts Michael Irvin and Glenn Parker, will kick-off the day with a preview of the regional coverage, including live interviews from the venues. The weekly Studio Show features pre-game analysis and features, halftime game updates from around the league, as well as the latest NFL news, and post-game wrap interviews.

Las Vegas (6-5) at Orlando (7-4)

Last Friday, in Gruden's first game back since his injury, he completed 71.4-percent of his pass attempts, guiding the Predators to a victory over Buffalo and halting the team's four-game slide. Policing the backfield for Orlando are the AFL's top tackler Kenny McEntyre (70.5 tackles, six interceptions, 12 pass breakups) and Rashad Floyd (45.0 tackles, four interceptions, five pass breakups) limiting opponents to an average of 48.5 points each week. Las Vegas OS Mike Horacek is averaging 124 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches in his last four games. He currently leads Las Vegas in touchdowns on all down situations, including 11-of-27 touchdowns occurring on 2nd down. Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporter) have the call.

Dallas (6-5) at Chicago (5-6)

Dallas QB Jim Kubiak brings in one of the AFL's top offenses to face Chicago and emerging star Antonio Chatman (offensive specialist) in a Central Division battle at the Allstate Arena. Dallas' (6-5) No. 2-ranked offense (307.7) will try to move the ball against the Chicago's (5-6) No. 5-ranked defense (261.6 YPG). Both Dallas and Chicago trail Grand Rapids (8-3) in the Central Division standings, but each team faces Grand Rapids one more time in the final weeks of the regular season and a chance to move ahead in the standings. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst) and Marty Snider (reporter) will handle the broadcast.

Colorado (1-10) at Tampa Bay (9-2)

Colorado's head coach Bob Beers and his team will face Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum, the AFL's winningest coach (152-53) and the league's toughest scoring defense (40.5 PPG). Tampa Bay's No. 2-ranked total defense allows just 242.1 yards per game, including a league-best 7.8 rushing yards per game. Eli Gold (play-by-play) and Charles Davis (analyst) will broadcast the game from Florida.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 17, 2003

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• AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
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• Firebirds Sign Brian Alford from Practice Squad, Waive Backup QB Ballard - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
• Buffalo Completes Road Trip in LA - Buffalo Destroyers
• Rush Extends Contracts of Assistant Coaches - Chicago Rush
• Gruden Returns to AFL on NBC - AFL I
• The battle of I-85 continues - Georgia Force
• Perez Returns to His Business Venture - Colorado Crush
• Cobras Activate Three From Injured Reserve - Carolina Cobras

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