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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week 13

April 29, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


A physical contest is expected when two longtime rivals – Tampa Bay Storm and Orlando Predators – battle at TD Waterhouse Centre this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. Head coaches TIM MARCUM (seven titles) and JAY GRUDEN (six titles) have 13 ArenaBowl championships between them, but the focus this weekend will be on the defenses – No. 1 Orlando (238.3 YPG) vs. No. 2 Tampa Bay (242.8 YPG).

The Predators are led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year DS KENNY MC ENTYRE (5-11, 185, Kansas State), who became the AFL's all-time interception leader with two picks in last week's 64-49 victory over the Dallas Desperados. He is tied for the AFL lead (San Jose's OMARR SMITH) with six interceptions. Up front, 2003 All-Arena selection OL/DL JERMAINE SMITH (7.0 sacks, tied No. 1), DOUG MILLER (4.0 sacks) and FB/LB RUPERT GRANT (4.0 sacks) apply the pressure for the No. 1 scoring defense (42.7 PPG).

The Storm are led by Ironman of the Year candidate T.T. TOLIVER (44.0 total tackles, 3 INTs and 6 pass breakups), All-Arena candidate FB/LB NYLE WIREN (4.0 sacks) and DS JONATHAN ORDWAY (43.5 tackles, 1 INT and 15 pass breakups). The Tampa Bay defense leads the AFL in opponents' third-down conversions (37.7 percent), No. 2 in first downs allowed (198) and tied for No. 4 in interceptions (10).

DETROIT QB ANDY KELLY vs. CHICAGO DEFENSE

One of the premier AFL quarterbacks of all time, Detroit QB ANDY KELLY, needs just four passing touchdowns this Sunday to become the second passer in AFL history to throw 600 in his career (New York's AARON GARCIA, 609), but he will be facing one of the toughest defensive fronts in the AFL – the Chicago Rush. Kelly and the Fury (4-7) host the Rush (7-4) this Sunday on NBC at 3 p.m. ET.

Now in his 10th AFL season, Kelly (6-3, 220, Tennessee) holds AFL career passing records for yards (30,745), attempts (4,491) and completions (2,743). The former Volunteer became the first AFL quarterback to surpass 30,000 career-passing yards earlier this season in the Fury's Week 9 win over the Georgia Force. In 2004, he has completed 240-of-407 passes for 2,898 yards, 48 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The Chicago defense is one of the AFL's stingiest. Led by All-Arena and Lineman of the Year candidates JAMES BARON (6-4, 260, Virginia Tech) and JOHN MOYER (6-3, 265, Eastern Illinois), the Rush's quick and physical group keeps quarterbacks second guessing. The Rush are among the league leaders in scoring defense (47.1, No. 6), turnover ratio (+9, No. 4) sacks (17.0, No. 2) and interceptions (11, tied-No. 1).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 29, 2004


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