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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week four

February 17, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


PHILADELPHIA QB TONY GRAZIANI vs. NEW ORLEANS QB ANDY KELLY

QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-3, 210, Oregon) leads the No. 3 scoring offense (55.3 PPG) and the Eastern Division-leading Philadelphia Soul (2-1) against QB ANDY KELLY (6-3, 220, Tennessee), who leads the No. 4 scoring offense (55.0 PPG) and defending Southern Division champion New Orleans VooDoo (2-1) at the New Orleans Arena this Sunday at noon ET on NBC.

Both Graziani and Kelly have thrown 20 touchdowns in the first three games of the season and are on a record-setting pace of 106 touchdown passes for 2005.

Graziani, who was an All-Arena selection in 2004, has a pair of lethal weapons at his disposal – OS STEVE SMITH (5-9, 170, Utah State) and WR/LB SEAN SCOTT (6-2, 200, Millersville). The dynamic duo have combined for 35 receptions for 493 yards and 15 touchdowns in three games, while Graziani has completed 61-of-96 passes (63.5 %) for 848 yards with 20 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Kelly, who is the AFL's all-time leader in attempts, completions and passing yards, has the triple threat of WR/LB THABITI DAVIS (6-3, 210, Wake Forest), OS AARON BAILEY (5-11, 190, Louisville) and JAQUES RUMPH (5-8, 180, Carson Newman) in his arsenal. The trio have been putting the hex on opposing secondaries by combining for 73 receptions for 800 yards and 19 touchdowns. Kelly has connected on 95-of-131 passes (72.5 %) for 973 yards with 20 touchdowns and one interception.

SAN JOSE DS CLEVAN THOMAS vs. LOS ANGELES DS ANTUAN SIMMONS

In the Western Division, the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (1-2), led by former Offensive Player of the Year QB MARK GRIEB (6-3, 208, Cal-Davis), hope to get back on track against QB JOHN KALEO (6-0, 210, Maryland) and the rival Los Angeles Avengers (2-1) at Staples Center this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBC.

But the main individual spotlight will be on two-time ADT Defensive Player and former Rookie of the Year DS CLEVAN THOMAS (5-10, 197, Florida State), who will try to outshine rising star and Rookie of the Year candidate DS ANTUAN SIMMONS (5-9, 200, USC).

Simmons, who leads the Avenger secondary with 18.0 total tackles and two interceptions, will focus on trying to shutdown red-hot WR/LB JAMES ROE (6-1, 198, Norfolk State). Roe leads the SaberCats with 24 receptions for 313 yards and nine touchdowns.

On the other side, Thomas, who is entering his second game after coming off the injured reserve list, sets his sights on containing emerging rookie OS JEROME RILEY (6-2, 185, Washington State). Riley has tallied 11 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns while becoming one of Kaleo's favorite targets.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 17, 2005


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