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Must-see matchups: quarterfinals

June 4, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


TAMPA BAY DEFENSE vs. SAN JOSE QB MARK GRIEB

The No. 2 seeded San Jose SaberCats (11-5) will look to QB MARK GRIEB (6-2, 208, UC Davis) when they host the defending champion and No. 7-seeded Tampa Bay Storm (9-7) at HP Pavilion this Saturday at 2:45 p.m. ET on NBC.

The 2002 Offensive Player of the Year matched a San Jose record and career-high with nine scoring passes and completed 27-of-34 for 351 yards in the 62-55 victory in the last meeting between the two in Week 9. His main target was WR/LB JAMES ROE (6-1, 198, Norfolk State), who caught a San Jose game record seven touchdown passes, including the game-winner with seven seconds left in regulation. The 2004 Second-Team All-Arena quarterback finished 2004 with 4,111 passing yards, 75 touchdowns and a league-record 133.5 passer rating.

Tampa Bay head coach TIM MARCUM's team has won six straight games and roared back to make the playoffs for an 18th straight season after starting 3-7 heading into this weekend's Quarterfinal game. The seven-time ArenaBowl champion coach looks to AFL Second-Team All-Arena OL/DL NYLE WIREN (6-2, 260, Kansas State), who led the Storm with 6.0 sacks, to lead the charge up front, while DS TRAMAIN JONES (6-2, 210, Angelo State) and All-Ironman WR/DB T.T. TOLIVER (5-11, 185, Bethune-Cookman), combined for 117.5 total tackles and six interceptions, patrol the secondary.

LOS ANGELES QB TONY GRAZIANI vs. ARIZONA QB SHERDRICK BONNER

An All-Arena quarterback showdown is on tap at America West Arena this weekend when the No. 8-seeded Los Angeles Avengers travel to play the No. 1-seeded Arizona Rattlers (11-5) this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

2004 First-Team All-Arena QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-2, 215, Oregon) leads the Avengers into their third straight postseason appearance. He connected for 99 touchdowns and was intercepted only five times, establishing an all-time professional football record with a 19.8-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Graziani also rushed for three scores and finished second in the AFL in total offense (267.8 yards per game) and pass rating (126.9).

Five-time All-Arena QB SHERDRICK BONNER (6-4, 240, Cal State Northridge), including first-team selection in 2003, led the Rattlers to the No. 1 seed and has the Rattlers on an eight-game winning streak. Bonner finished the regular season with 3,383 passing yards, 77 touchdowns and a 65.0 completion percentage.

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ORLANDO DEFENSE vs. CHICAGO DEFENSE

A defensive battle is expected when ADT Defensive Player of the Year candidates – Orlando DS KENNY MC ENTYRE (5-11, 185, Kansas State) and Chicago OL/DL JOHN MOYER (6-3, 265, Eastern Illinois) – collide at Allstate Arena for the right to advance to the Semifinals this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

In the last meeting of the two teams, the No. 3-seeded Chicago Rush (11-5) forced six turnovers and recorded a team-record 7.0 sacks en route to a 58-15 win over the No.-6 seeded Orlando Predators (10-6). After scoring on its first possession of the game, the Rush held Orlando scoreless for nearly 50 minutes before allowing a fourth-quarter touchdown. It was the widest margin of victory in Rush team history.

Moyer, who is also a Lineman of the Year candidate, led the AFL in sacks (10.0), while Orlando's FB/LB RUPERT GRANT (6-4, 240, Howard) finished No. 2 with 9.5. In the secondary, McEntyre led the AFL with nine interceptions and lead the team with 85.5 total tackles. Chicago DS COREY SAWYER (5-11, 185, Florida State), who was a member of Tampa Bay's championship squad in 2003, leads the Rush in total tackles (69.5) while adding two interceptions.

COLORADO QB JOHN DUTTON and OS DAMIAN HARRELL vs. NEW ORLEANS QB JOHN FITZGERALD and OS AARON BAILEY

Dangerous tandems take center stage when No. 4-seeded New Orleans VooDoo (11-5) host No. 5-seeded Colorado Crush (11-5) at New Orleans Arena this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

Under the guidance of Coach of the Year candidate MIKE NEU, the duo of QB JOHN FITZGERALD (6-4, 230, Tulsa) and his main target OS AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190, Louisville) helped the VooDoo set the mark for most victories by an expansion team (11). Fitzgerald finished the regular season with 3,425 passing yards, 61 touchdowns and a 57.2 completion percentage. Bailey led the squad in receptions (91), receiving yards (1,364) and touchdowns (32).

Colorado head coach MIKE DAILEY had the greatest single-season turnaround in league history (+9 improvement from 2003). The Crush's postseason success with depend on the arm of QB JOHN DUTTON (6-4, 225, Nevada) and the receiving hands of Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Year candidate OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State). Dutton finished the regular season with 4,195 yards, 76 touchdowns and a 63.8 completion percentage. Harrell led the Crush with 114 receptions for 1,715 yards and 43 touchdowns.



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