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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Philadelphia's Graziani, Los Angeles' Wheeler, And Chicago's Alfonzo Earn Week One Honors

March 4, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - Philadelphia Soul QB TONY GRAZIANI, Los Angeles Avengers DB DAMEN WHEELER, and Chicago Rush WR/LB DEJUAN ALFONZO have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 1 of the 2008 season.

OFFENSIVE: Graziani (6-3, 215, Oregon) completed 15-of-22 passes for 257 yards and a franchise-high nine touchdowns with no interceptions as the Soul (1-0) defeated the Orlando Predators (0-1), 77-56, in the team's home opener at the Wachovia Center on Saturday. Graziani led Philadelphia's offense on scoring drives on 10 of the team's 11 possessions and his passer rating of 147.2 ranked highest among all quarterbacks during Week 1 action. Graziani completed his franchise-high ninth touchdown pass on a 38-yard strike to WR LARRY BRACKINS with 5:40 remaining to give the Soul a 77-49 lead. Philadelphia travels to Chicago to face the Rush (1-0) on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Wheeler (5-9, 180, Colorado) registered two tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, one interception and four passes defensed as the Avengers (1-0) opened their season with a, 59-42, victory over the New Orleans VooDoo (0-1) at the STAPLES Center on Friday. Wheeler's forced fumble and subsequent 15-yard recovery for a touchdown gave Los Angeles a 28-23 lead in the second quarter marking the first defensive touchdown in the League for the 2008 season. Wheeler's interception came early in the fourth quarter inside the Avengers red zone and prevented New Orleans from cutting into Los Angeles' nine-point lead. The Avengers travel to U.S. Airways Center to face the Arizona Rattlers (1-0) in a Mitsubishi Motors Western Division battle on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, March 10 at 11 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD).

IRONMAN: Alfonzo (6-0, 205, Indiana State) posted one rush for two yards on offense, along with a key offensive fumble recovery for a touchdown as the Chicago Rush (1-0) defeated the defending ArenaBowl XXI Champion San Jose SaberCats (0-1), 70-47, on Monday night. On defense, Alfonzo recorded five tackles, one fumble recovery for a touchdown and one interception. Alfonzo's recovery of a MARK GRIEB fumble and 20-yard touchdown return came on the third play of the game and gave the Rush an early 14-0 lead. His offensive fumble recovery in San Jose's end zone with 2:13 remaining complimented his defensive play, and gave the Rush a 63-41 lead, sealing the victory. Chicago next hosts the Philadelphia Soul (1-0) on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD).

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona QB Lang Campbell, Cleveland QB Raymond Philyaw and WR Otis Amey, Chicago QB Sherdrick Bonner and WR Damian Harrell, Colorado QB John Dutton and WR Ben Nelson, Dallas QB Clint Dolezel and WR Anthony Armstrong, Los Angeles WR Timon Marshall, Philadelphia WR Chris Jackson and Larry Brackins and Tampa Bay FB Torrance Marshall.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona DB Isaiah Trufant, Cleveland DL Karon Riley and Joe Minucci, Chicago DB Dennison Robinson, Philadelphia DB Eddie Moten and Tampa Bay DB Traco Rachal.

Ironman of the Week candidates included: Cleveland WR Robert Redd, Colorado DB Jason Harmon, Dallas WR/DB Will Pettis and Tampa Bay FB/LB Marvin Brown.

2008 WINNERS:

Week 1: Philadelphia's Tony Graziani (Offensive), Los Angeles' Damen Wheeler (Defensive), Chicago's DeJuan Alfonzo (Ironman)

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