Hot Questions
Published on May 22, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Is the combo of FRED MCNAIR and LAMONT COOPER enough to beat the Rampage, and go 2-for-2 against division leaders? Last week, against Toronto, they combined for 7 TDs, including McNair's pair of one-yard runs and Cooper's 24th career kick return for a score.
Where's STEVE PAPIN? Although he's leading the league in yardage, the playmaker that impacted so many games as a SaberCat has been strangely quiet this season with only 6 receiving TDs. With a tenuous quarterback situation, featuring Papin more in the offense may prove to be a wise decision.
Will the SaberCats ever lose a game? They're running on all cylinders and could exceed even their own record they share with the 1994 Predators for most consecutive games won in a single regular season - 11.
Can the Storm patch up fourth quarter leaks? The Storm has been outscored 84-56 in the fourth quarter, including 3 TDs from Avengers passer TONY GRAZIANI last week. The recent signing of former NFL safety COREY SAWYER should help in the long run.
Who's to blame for Detroit's tailspin? With ROBERT GORDON out with an injury, and the quarterback spot just as precarious a situation, emerging star CHUCK LEVY must step up along with Detroit's other receiver, CHUCK WINTERS. Besides Gordon, only two other players have more than 1 TD. Last year, the Fury rebounded from a 2-5 start and won 5 of their last 7 to make the playoffs.
Is GARY COMPTON the right fit for the Rampage? In Firebirds camp Compton was as sure a pass catcher as you could have, but he simply wasn't getting the ball. He may even have been a shade too slow to adjust to RAYMOND PHILYAW's timing. Regardless, the Rampage need someone to impact the outcome of a game and add more toughness in a division race that is sure to come down to the wire.
Who the heck is MIKE FURREY? Sure he played at KURT WARNER's alma mater, but now Furrey's making his own mark in just his first season. Last week, he did something no other Arena Football player has ever been able to accomplish - he finished a loss to New Jersey with three touchdown receptions and three interceptions.
Is FRED MCNAIR ready to be another JIM KELLY, or ROB JOHNSON? With the game on the line last week against the Eastern division leading Phantoms, Steve's older brother - he turns 34 in December -- stepped up and threw 3 consecutive touchdown passes between the third and fourth quarters to help Buffalo edge out the Phantoms, 49-46.
What's missing in Orlando? For starters, first half points. Opponents have outscored the Preds by 73 in the first two quarters. Some glue would be help, too. The Preds have fumbled the ball 13 times. Lastly, Defense. For the first time in 12 seasons, the Preds are next to last in scoring defense, allowing 59.2 points per game, a shade better than New York's 59.4
Is STEVE SMITH the best free agent acquisition? In the last 3 games for Grand Rapids, Smith has averaged 12 receptions, 150 yards, and 4 TDs. Last week in a 64-45 win over Carolina, Smith hauled in a career high 5 TD receptions for the champs.
Will San Jose's MARK GRIEB ever throw an interception? He has now thrown 154 consecutive pass attempts without one. On the other side of the ledger, Grieb has thrown for a league high of 31 TDs.
Has DONNIE DAVIS dusted off the cobwebs for good? He replaced Force starter KEVIN MCDOUGAL in the second quarter and completed 21-of-26 passes for 304 yards and 7 TDs, including 4 in the fourth quarter. Davis hasn't made much noise since coming off the bench for DANNY WHITE's Rattlers during the 1997 semifinals and ultimately winning a championship against KURT WARNER's Barnstormers. (It doesn't hurt that he's a former Georgia Tech star.)
Perhaps realizing the impact an injury to a starting quarterback can have on a team (see JOHN KALEO in Tampa Bay), the Firebirds signed former NFL passer, DAMEYUNE CRAIG. But is Craig the right insurance policy having never played a game indoors or is he the proverbial "fire under the pants" for Philyaw, who hasn't been as effective as in his two previous seasons?
If New Jersey gets into the Red Zone, can they score against a Phantoms defense that has allowed a league-low 17 scores in 26 attempts, grabbing 3 interceptions and forcing 4 fumbles? Quarterback JAY MCDONAGH is going to have to play very smart against the league's stingiest defense. (Good news is the Gladiators have scored 22 times in 24 trips into the Red Zone)
Who can fill JOHN KALEO's shoes? Since being injured late in a Week 1 loss against the Phantoms, the Storm has gone 1-4. In two previous seasons, the Storm won 17 of 23 regular season games with Kaleo under center. He's not expected to return, and SHANE STAFFORD is struggling for consistency. Luckily, the Southern division is still up for grabs.
Can anyone stop San Jose's JAMES HUNDON? Never mind, dumb question. Dallas' LAMAR GRANT, HASSAN SHAMSID-DEEN, and former Cowboys corner KAREEM LARRIMORE will get their shot this week to prove our hypothesis wrong. Hundon's scored 31 touchdowns in 12 career regular season games.
Is it time for DANNY KANELL in New York? Starter MATT NAGY is putting up big numbers but hasn't found the secret to winning games - they're 1-4. Does JOHN GREGORY have the patience to let Nagy learn from his mistakes, like KURT WARNER did with the Barnstormers? Warner struggled but won 4 of his first 5 games.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 22, 2002
- This week in the AFL - OSC Original by Mark Sargent
- The Deuce Scoop - AFL I
- Hot Questions - AFL I
- Cobras to Host Benefit Golf Tournament - Carolina Cobras
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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