AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week 14

May 6, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


LOS ANGELES OS CHRIS JACKSON vs. TAMPA BAY OS FREDDIE SOLOMON

Every game counts as the Los Angeles Avengers (7-5) and Tampa Bay Storm (6-7) battle it out with a feature of two of the best offensive specialists in the League this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

Avengers OS CHRIS JACKSON (6-2, 204, Washington State) has been an explosive go-to guy, scoring a touchdown in every game he has played in this season. He has 32 touchdowns and is No. 3 in the League for scoring with 194 points. He is No. 2 in the AFL for receiving yards (1,356) and No. 5 in receptions (93). As L.A.'s all-time leading receiver and scorer, he has racked up 438 receptions for 6,211 yards and has scored 870 points in his five-year Avenger career. The last time Jackson faced the Storm was in the 2002 playoffs, when he accounted for eight catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns in a 66-41 loss for the Avengers.

Jackson and the Avengers high-powered offense (No. 3 in the League for total offense) need to outscore the Storm to maintain a strong hold on one of the final playoff spots.

Tampa Bay Storm OS FREDDIE SOLOMON's (5-11, 185, South Carolina State) 17-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter against Orlando last week extended his streak of consecutive regular season games with a touchdown reception to 18 contests. Like Jackson, Solomon has also had at least one touchdown catch in every game in which he's played in 2004. Solomon is tied for No. 6 in the League for scoring with 26 touchdowns (two rushing, 24 receiving) for 156 points. He is just four touchdown catches shy of equaling his career high of 28 receiving touchdowns.

In a must-win situation, Solomon's quick ability to adjust his offensive game should keep the Los Angeles defense continually guessing. The Storm are on a three-game winning streak, and have never missed the playoffs.

SAN JOSE QB MARK GRIEB vs. ARIZONA QB SHERDRICK BONNER

Two of the most seasoned quarterbacks in the AFL go head-to-head this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. Reigning Offensive Player of the Week MARK GRIEB (6-3, 208, California-Davis) completed 23-of-29 passes (79.3 percent) in San Jose' s 68-34 win over New Orleans on May 1, and had a perfect second half. Grieb went 10-for-10 over the final two quarters for 155 yards and three touchdowns as the SaberCats outscored the VooDoo 40-7.

Grieb continues to lead the League in completion percentage at 74.2 and tops the circuit with a 137.6 pass efficiency rating. Grieb owns a 21-8 (.724) record as the starter in road games and is 3-1 versus the Rattlers in Arizona. Grieb also has a 5-2 record in head-to-head battles with Arizona QB SHERDRICK BONNER (6-4, 240, Cal State-Northridge).

In 18 career games against San Jose, Bonner has thrown for 3,969 yards and has completed 59.3 percent (315-of-531) of his passes with 78 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has thrown six or more touchdown passes in a game eight times and has thrown for over 300 yards three times. Bonner completed 21-of-30 for 321 yards and eight touchdowns in Arizona's 66-49 semifinal playoff win on June 8, 2003, the last time the teams played. This season, Bonner has completed 292-of-451 for 3,220 yards, but has an uncharacteristic eight interceptions.

As the playoff picture develops, a win this week for the SaberCats would clinch them a playoff berth, while a win for the Rattlers would put them in a solid position for a secure spot in the playoffs.

ORLANDO OS TRAVIS MC GRIFF vs. NEW ORLEANS OS AARON BAILEY

After having one of the best offensive outings in Predators history last week against Tampa Bay, Orlando OS TRAVIS MCGRIFF (5-8, 185, Florida) is back in action to face off against New Orleans' standout OS AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190, Louisville) this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

Last Sunday, McGriff averaged a healthy 18.7 yards on eight kickoff returns, including a 55-yard return for touchdown. Add in 163 yards on 10 receptions (16.3 average) and three more scores and McGriff totaled 313 all-purpose yards. McGriff's 313 all-purpose yards was the second highest total in Orlando Predators history.

Bailey has made an immediate impact on the VooDoo offense. Bailey is among the AFL's leading receivers with 72 receptions for 1093 yards and a career-high 25 touchdowns. Bailey is currently ranked No. 5 in the AFL in scoring (156 points), tied for No. 14 in receptions, ranked No. 2 in receiving average (15.2), No. 8 in receiving yards, and No. 3 in all-purpose yards (1931). Bailey is on pace to surpass his finest AFL season, when he caught 89 balls for 1,102 yards and 18 touchdowns with Carolina in 2002.

The pressure is on for both McGriff and Bailey to perform: Orlando, now 6-6, will need to win three of their last four games to have a good chance of earning a playoff berth, while New Orleans can clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a victory over the Predators.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 6, 2004


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