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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Must-see matchups: week one

January 27, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


PHILADELPHIA QB TONY GRAZIANI vs. AUSTIN DEFENSIVE LINE

Soul head coach MICHAEL TRIGG wanted to improve production from the quarterback position, so he went out and got the best one on the free-agent market when he signed First-Team All-Arena QB TONY GRAZIANI (6-3, 215, Oregon). Graziani (4,254 yards, 99 TDs and 5 INTs with Los Angeles in 2004) will battle the tandem of OL/DLs TOM BRIGGS (6-5, 270, West Virginia) and BRYAN HENDERSON (6-3, 290, NW Oklahoma State) at Frank Erwin Center this Sunday at Noon ET on NBC.

Graziani's quick release and ability to protect the ball make him one of the most dangerous gunslingers on turf. In 2004, the former Duck had one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratios (19.8-to-1) in AFL history.

Briggs, a former Lineman of the Year, recorded 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Paired with Henderson, a former All-Rookie and 2004 All-Arena performer, the two could be the most dangerous defensive front tandems in the AFL.

COLORADO OS DAMIAN HARRELL vs. ORLANDO DS KENNY MC ENTYRE

Colorado OS DAMIAN HARRELL (6-3, 200, Florida State), who might be the AFL's version of a "human-highlight reel" with his acrobatic catches and leaping ability, will face off against DS KENNY "THE GLOVE" MC ENTYRE (5-11, 185, Kansas State) when the Crush travel to TD WaterHouse Centre to face the Predators this Sunday at Noon ET on NBC.

Harrell (114 receptions, 1,715 yards and 43 TDs) had the Crush one score away from an ArenaBowl appearance last season and earned Second-Team All-Arena honors for his efforts.

Three-time ADT Defensive Player of the Year DS KENNY MC ENTYRE (85.5 total tackles and 9 INTs) is the all-time career interceptions leader (57). The Glove earned his nickname by being one of the best cover backs in the AFL. Paired with hard-hitting DS DAMON MASON (91.0 total tackles and 3 INTs including games with Orlando and Carolina), Harrell and the other Crush receivers will need to bring their "A" game in order to get the victory.

CHICAGO QB RAYMOND PHILYAW vs. DALLAS SECONDARY

Chicago QB RAYMOND PHILYAW (6-1, 200, NE Louisiana) had his team in the semifinals in 2004 before falling to injury and eventual ArenaBowl XVIII champion San Jose SaberCats. Philyaw (3,053 yards, 52 TDs and 4 INTs), who is known as a possession quarterback that doesn't make mistakes, wants to take the next step, starting with a trip to American Airlines Center against the Dallas Desperados at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

The Desperados secondary includes DS JERMAINE JONES (5-9, 187, NW Louisiana State), the versatile WR/DB WILL PETTIS (6-0, 195, Midwestern, TX) and former Rush DS HAMIN MILLIGAN (6-2, 195, Houston). Jones (74.5 total tackles and 4 INTs), Pettis (37.5 and 1) and Milligan (64.5 total tackles with Arizona and Chicago in 2004) will look to blanket the secondary and shutdown All-Rookie WR/LB ETU MOLDEN (6-2, 195, Montana).

LOS ANGELES SECONDARY vs. LAS VEGAS OS MARCUS NASH

How do you follow up 154 receptions and 46 TDs in a single-season? That is the question that 2004 Offensive Player of the Year OS MARCUS NASH (6-4, 210, Tennessee) will be looking to answer starting against the Los Angeles Avengers this Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

Size and strength are a deadly combination that makes Nash one of the League 's elite receivers. Los Angeles head coach ED HODGKISS will look to WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM (6-0, 185, West Chester) and WR/LB GREG HOPKINS (6-2, 210, Slippery Rock) to shutdown the receiving star. Ingram (76.5 total tackles and 4 INTs) and Hopkins (40.0 and 3) will be joined by rookie DS ANTUAN SIMMONS (5-10, 195, USC) to help shutdown the Gladiator receiving corps.

SAN JOSE HEAD COACH DARREN ARBET vs. TAMPA BAY HEAD COACH TIM MARCUM

Two-time Coach of the Year and ArenaBowl champion head coach DARREN ARBET has the task of defending the crown, but has Second-Team All-Arena QB MARK GRIEB (4,111 yards, 75 TDs and an AFL record 73.0 completion percentage) at the controls. Seven-time ArenaBowl championship head coach TIM MARCUM returns at the helm of the longest existing franchise (including Pittsburgh, 1987-90). The two legendary coaches square-off at the St. Pete Times Forum this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

Arbet also has OS JAMES HUNDON (87 receptions, 1,253 yards and 21 TDs), WR/LB JAMES ROE (75, 884 and 27) and six-time Ironman of the Year WR/DB BARRY WAGNER (16 total TDs) to lead the receiving corps, while AFL all-time sack leader OL/DL SAM HERNANDEZ (58.0 career sacks) anchors the line.

Marcum looks to QB SHANE STAFFORD (3,418 yards, 67 TDs and 13 INTs) and the dynamic duo of Second-Team All-Arena WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS (81 receptions, 951 yards and 9 TDs) and OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (92, 1,199 and 32) to spark the Storm offense.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 27, 2005


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