Maddox Credits AFL for NFL Success
November 12, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - Pittsburgh Steelers and former Arena Football League quarterback TOMMY MADDOX continued his excellent play this past Sunday. The former New Jersey Red Dogs quarterback completed 28 of 41 passes (68.3 percent) for a club-record 473 yards with four touchdowns and one interception for a 129.4 passer rating in the Steelers' 34-34 overtime tie with the Atlanta Falcons yesterday.
Maddox played for the Red Dogs in 2000 and completed 283 of 490 passes for 3,378 yards and 62 touchdowns with 17 interceptions.
Following are just some of TOMMY MADDOX's quotes crediting his improved play to the time he spend in the Arena Football League:
- "I think some of the things I worked on in the Arena League and having to get rid of the ball so quickly - I know my arm is a lot quicker now. I always felt like I had a strong arm, but I probably had a slower delivery. But in being quicker, I think I'm more accurate, as well." -- Associated Press, October 7, 2002.
- "I'd never been hit so hard in my life. Every play. I think I only threw 37 times, but I was on the ground 25 times ... I tell you what - the Arena League is kind of a hidden gem ... There's no question that it helped to hone me." -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 21, 2002.
- "It's great for quarterbacks. The game is very fast. Your reads have to be very fast. You've got to be very accurate with the football." -- Conference Call, October 30, 2002.
St. Louis Rams and former AFL quarterback KURT WARNER on the AFL's effects on quarterbacks:
- "My quick release, my accuracy, my quick decision-making are all things that come from Arena football. What I learned there made me a better quarterback. After playing on the small field, when you play on the big field the game seems to slow down."
AL LUGINBILL, current Head Coach of the AFL's Detroit Fury and former coach of both Warner and Maddox:
- "I think Arena Football is a great for quarterbacks. You have to get rid of it quick and you find out if he's tough enough. They take hits on a hard surface for 16 straight weeks. If you don't have a quick release and are not accurate, you're not going to last."
- "Both have similar releases, both are tough guys. Kurt probably has a little stronger arm to the edge of the field, but he and Tommy are both equally accurate. Tommy's a little taller and probably has better feet in the pocket. Neither one of them are a threat to run. Both have equal pocket awareness. And both are winners.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 12, 2002
- Desperados Re-sign Culver Scott, Tolbert - Dallas Desperados
- Destroyers Release All-Arena Kicker - Buffalo Destroyers
- Commissioner Addresses the Fans - AFL I
- Maddox Credits AFL for NFL Success - AFL I
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