McNair Leads Players of the Week
June 25, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Buffalo Destroyers quarterback FRED MCNAIR, San Jose SaberCats lineman JOE JACOBS, and Los Angeles Avengers wide receiver/linebacker GREG HOPKINS have been named the Arena Football League's Offensive Player, "ADT" Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for their performances during Week Ten of the 2002 season.
McNair (6-2, 205, Alcorn State), a eight-year AFL veteran, led his Destroyers (6-4) by connecting on 19-of-35 for 306 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions in their 52-45 victory over the New Jersey Gladiators. This marks the second time that the former Brave has earned a league weekly honor in his career. McNair needs only 180 more passing yards (currently 18,754) to pass MIKE PEREZ for fifth place on the all-time passing leader board. McNair is currently fourth in the AFL in passer rating (114.4) and has thrown for 39 touchdowns against only five interceptions while leading the Destroyers to a tie for the Eastern Division lead.
Jacobs (6-4, 280, Utah State), a six-year AFL veteran lineman, earned the weekly award by recording two solo tackles (including one tackle for loss), an interception, and a sack to help lead the SaberCats (10-0) to a 65-41 victory over the New York Dragons. The former All-Ironman and All-Arena performer is currently the all-time career leader in tackles for loss (26.5) and is tied for second on the SaberCats in sacks (2.0) this season. This award marks the second time that Jacobs has garnered league-wide weekly recognition in his career.
Hopkins (6-2, 205, Slippery Rock), a six-year AFL veteran, led his Avengers (6-4) by hauling in a season-high seven receptions for 75 yards in their 62-32 victory over the Carolina Cobras. On the defensive side, Hopkins recorded one solo tackle, an assist, and two interceptions (including a 37-yard touchdown return). This is the fourth time this season that the former All-Arena performer has earned a league weekly honor (Ironman of the Week during Weeks Three and Seven; Offensive Player in Week 9.) The former Rock graduate is currently tied for first in the AFL in receptions (78) and is third in receiving yards with 953. This Ironman of the Year candidate became the league's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns (8) with the 37-yard score during the third quarter.
Other candidates for Offensive Player of the Week included: Arizona's Chris Hixson, Chicago's Antonio Chatman, Dallas' Andy Kelly and Andy McCullough, Los Angeles' Chris Jackson, New York's Steve Papin, Orlando's Clif Dell, San Jose's James Hundon, Tampa Bay's Scott Milanovich, and Toronto's Pat O'Hara.
Other candidates for "ADT" Defensive Player of the Week included: Buffalo's Dwaine Carpenter, Dallas' Tim Martin, Georgia's Cliff Green, Indiana's Dejuan Alfonzo, Los Angeles' Greg Hopkins, New York's Donvetis Franklin, and Toronto's Kerry Brown.
Other candidates for Ironman of the Week included: Buffalo's Carlos James, Chicago's Dameon Porter, Dallas' Adrian Lunsford, Detroit's Al Hunt, Grand Rapids' Michael Baker, Los Angeles' Chad Dukes, New Jersey's Dennison Robinson, San Jose's Joe Jacobs, Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels, and Toronto's Kerry Brown.
PREVIOUS WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Week, Offensive, "ADT" Defensive, Ironman
Week 1, Chris Jackson (Los Angeles), Ron Carpenter (Georgia), Gary Compton (Indiana)
Week 2, Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona), Bob McMillen (San Jose), Mike Furrey (New York)
Week 3, Lamont Cooper (Buffalo), Andre Bowden (Carolina), Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles)
Week 4, Chris Horn (Arizona), Sam Hernandez (San Jose), Lawrence Samuels (Tampa Bay)
Week 5, Sedrick Robinson (New Jersey), Chris Snyder (Indiana), Mike Furrey (New York)
Week 6, Chris Jackson (Los Angeles), Donvetis Franklin (New York), Chad Dukes (Los Angeles)
Week 7, Clint Dolezel (Grand Rapids), Hassan Shamsid-Deen (Dallas), Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles)
Week 8, Andy Kelly (Dallas), Hassan Shamsid-Deen (Dallas), Barry Wagner (San Jose)
Week 9, Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles), Dwaine Carpenter (Buffalo), Darryl Hammond (Georgia)
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"BUILT FORD TOUGH" WINNERS
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Dallas coaches selected lineman TIM MARTIN as one of last week's "Built Ford Tough" Players of the Game. The "Built Ford Tough" Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on either side of the ball. TIM MARTIN, finished last week's game against Tampa Bay with one tackle, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His sack on SCOTT MILANOVICH in overtime and forced a fumble that Dallas recovered at the Storm's 16-yard line, setting up ANDY KELLY's game winning touchdown pass to SHANNON CULVER on the next play. Up to five players who display the "get-it-done" kind of attitude are honored by each team every week. A point system is maintained on the league's official site, www.arenafootball.com, throughout the season that will culminate in the "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year, a player who will win a Ford Truck at the end of the season. This week's winners, by team:
WEEK TEN TEAM-BY-TEAM WINNERS
Arizona: Chris Hixson, Maurice Bryant, Stacy Evans, Bo Kelly, Eli Wnek
Buffalo: Prentice Taylor, Jeremy Johnson, Carlos James, Bret Cooper
Carolina: Cory Fleming, Marrio Grier, Kevin Gaines
Chicago: John Moyer, Dameon Porter
Dallas: Tim Martin
Detroit: Al Hunt, Eric England, Kevin Scott, Kenny Wheaton, Chris Polinder
Georgia: Donnie Davis, Jarrick Hillery, Jermaine Smith
Grand Rapids: Michael Baker, Willis Marshall, Gary Compton, Corey Mayfield, Israel Raybon
Indiana: Leroy Thompson, Kyle Moore-Brown, Evan Hlavacek, Nelson Garner
Los Angeles: Vince Amey, John DeWitt, Chad Dukes, Greg Hopkins, Dale Koscielski
New Jersey: Wilky Bazile, Karl Bates, Dennison Robinson
New York: Chin Achebe, Damien Groce, Mike Furrey, Carl Sacco, Jason Maxwell
Orlando: Tommy Dorsey, Clif Dell, Ernest Allen
San Jose: Joe Jacobs, Clevan Thomas, James Williams, James Hundon, George Williams
Tampa Bay: Antoin Toliver
Toronto: Kerry Brown, Charlie Davidson, Damian Harrell, Del Lee, Anthony Hicks
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 25, 2002
- This week in the AFL - OSC Original by Mark Sargent
- Remy Hamilton - More Than a Kick - Los Angeles Avengers
- Jacobs Named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - San Jose SaberCats
- Greg Hopkins honored as AFL "Ironman of the Week" - Los Angeles Avengers
- McNair Earns Player of the Week Honors - Buffalo Destroyers
- McNair Leads Players of the Week - AFL I
- Raybon Up to the Challenge - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Desperados Host AFL's Top Team - Dallas Desperados
- New York Dragons Weekly - New York Dragons
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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