Quarterfinal Must-See Matchups

May 29, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

TRIGG: Orlando QB JAY GRUDEN (6-1, 200, Louisville) continues to be a productive player over a decade since his first ArenaBowl title in Tampa Bay in 1991. Although he may not possess the athleticism or arm strength of many of his peers, he knows what he can and cannot do, which is to his advantage.

The former Louisville standout is a coach on the field. It goes without saying that Jay knows what he wants to do with the ball on each play and you only call plays you're confident in. All of the intangibles of leadership, toughness and a will to win drive the Predators through Gruden. The clock is ticking when playing quarterback in your mid-30s and all he does is win football games (10-0 this season), especially in the playoffs (four ArenaBowl titles as a player and two as a head coach.)

New York QB AARON GARCIA (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) may possess the greatest weapon in this year's playoffs -- a defense that can hold the opponent below his pace. It has always been a "shoot-out" against the Dragons and coaches try and get a stop or two for the win. We could go on and on about the numbers that clearly speak for themselves, but what coaches respect the most about Garcia is his toughness. He has spent the better part of his career staring at the ceiling after he releases the ball. You would think he would quit at some point after taking some unmerciful beatings, but he keeps on chucking touchdowns between shots.

You know that his teammates respect sheer toughness when watching the film and have to be motivated to play for him. You can't buy that kind of respect and it is earned the hard way.

Garcia attacks and is willing to wait for an open receiver without regard to his body - that is hard to stop. Add in his athletic ability to scramble and score in the red zone by arm or foot and Orlando will have its hands full this weekend. If you don't get pressure on Garcia, he will embarrass you. Orlando has great pressure so it should be interesting.

NO. 6 ARIZONA RATTLERS (11-6) AT NO. 4 LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (11-5) SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 3 P.M. ET (NBC)

LOS ANGELES RECEIVERS vs. ARIZONA SECONDARY

Analysis by Director of Arena Football Operations, Tennessee Titans, PAT SPERDUTO and Grand Rapids Head Coach MICHAEL TRIGG. Sperduto, played OL/DL for the Tampa Bay Storm during their championship seasons in 1991 and 1993 and was a Storm assistant coach in 1995. He then guided the Nashville Kats as the head coach to back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 2000 and 2001.

SPERDUTO: The Rattlers defense has seen quite a few changes throughout the course of the season. Finally settling into the middle-safety role is CLARENCE LAWSON (5-8, 180, Utah). His physical style poses a threat to all who come across the middle of the field. He is a sure tackler who gives a little bit of a cushion at times.

Arizona's HAMIN MILLIGAN (6-2, 190, Houston) and RICKY PARKER (6-1, 190, San Diego State) will share duties as the other DS. Parker is a solid offensive player who has been a big play guy as a DS. Milligan is a rookie with skills to make him the man.

Eight-year veteran WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (6-0, 185, UNLV) has been incredible all year picking off nine passes. He is that veteran who is always in the right place. Gatewood and jack linebacker HUNKIE COOPER (5-9, 190, UNLV) have lined up side-by-side for many years. Cooper is one of the smaller LBs in the AFL. His lack of size has not stopped him once from making most of the big plays in Rattlers history. Cooper is not only still making the big plays, but he is also in the process of grooming a budding star in TOM PACE (5-10, 199, Arizona State).

TRIGG: Los Angeles head coach ED HODGKISS' receiving corps are one of the top offered in the AFL. Offensive specialist CHRIS JACKSON (6-2, 204, Washington State) has continued his successful AFL career since being tabbed the Rookie of the Year in 2000. Jackson has size, speed and change of direction, which gives him the complete package you want in a receiver.

GREG HOPKINS (6-2, 205, Slippery Rock) won the Ironman of the Year in 2002 and could repeat this year. That award in and of itself says it all. Hopkins has good speed with great hands, a big body to muscle in traffic and strong hands. Along with Cooper in Arizona, he may be the best WR/LB the AFL has produced in its' history.

Add WR/DB SIAHA BURLEY (5-10, 185, Central Florida) from a trade with Orlando last year and you have three players on the LA roster that can score at any moment with the ball in their hands. LA's depth is strong behind Hopkins. KEVIN INGRAM (6-0, 185, West Chester) is a capable two-way player offensively with Burley. RUSSELL SHAW (5-10, 190, Michigan) may be the best player in the AFL that no one knows about – having to wait his time in a talent-laden system. Facing Arizona this week for the third time should make for an exciting shootout in the West.

NO. 12 GEORGIA FORCE (9-8) AT NO. 1 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (12-4) SATURDAY, MAY 31, 3 P.M. ET (NBC)

GEORGIA RECEIVERS vs. SAN JOSE SECONDARY

Analysis by Director of Arena Football Operations for Nashville PAT SPERDUTO and Grand Rapids Head Coach MICHAEL TRIGG.

TRIGG: Georgia's TYRONNE JONES (5-9, 170, Grambling) will need to elevate his game to a different level this week, with injuries slowing him from being mentioned with the AFL elite. Jones plays with heart and exceptional quickness, but must find a way to stay healthy and be on the field for every series to combat the aggressive cover style of San Jose.

Four-year AFL veteran JARRICK HILLERY (6-0, 200, Tennessee State) is the "Jack of All Trades" receiver in the mix that runs the ball well in the open field like he did in college at running back. Georgia likes to get him the ball out of the backfield on tosses and handoffs, quick screens, and crossing the field on the move. He is not easy to tackle and plays physical.

Three-year veteran SCOTT THOMAS (6-2, 205, Azusa Pacific) runs short routes well and is also productive in catch-and-run situations as he accelerates well and has good size. If you don't keep an eye on Thomas, he will run by you.

I've saved the best for last with DARRYL HAMMOND (6-3, 220, Virginia). He has dazzled for 13 years in the AFL as a productive, high-level, big-time player. His kind of leadership is what All-Rookie QB LEON MURRAY (6-2, 212, Tennessee State) can lean on in the huddle that only MARK GRIEB (6-3, 205, Cal-Davis) has in San Jose with BARRY WAGNER (6-4, 218, Alabama A&M). Hammond, a sure-fire Hall of Famer, has taken a physical beating over the years – searching for the ring that keeps him ticking. Georgia head coach MARTY LOWE has the tools to keep the SaberCats at bay by using quick passes, screens and periodic shots downfield to Jones and Thomas that may keep San Jose from pinning their ears back and attacking Murray.

SPERDUTO: The best middle safety in the AFL is CLEVAN THOMAS (5-10, 197, Florida State). He is a guy who can catch and run with the motion man with a high rate of success. This skill is something that many have tried and most have failed. Thomas allows a good pass rush to be great. He will make the opposing quarterback hold the football," Sperduto said.

Second-year DS WENDELL DAVIS (5-11, 200, Oklahoma) is a solid complement to Thomas, Davis is a corner who physically can bump and jostle with the big receivers. He has solid cover skills and rarely has to mess with the motion man. ANTHONY COBBS (6-1, 201, UCLA) and six-time Ironman of the Year, Wagner, make up the two-way tandem. Cobbs has good cover skills. Wagner may have lost a step or two, but he knows all the angles and will not allow himself to be caught in a bad position.

Four-year veteran JAMES ROE (6-2, 196, Norfolk State) has turned himself into a solid jack linebacker. Roe, Wagner, and KEVIN MC KENZIE (5-11, 185, Washington State) will not hurt their team defensively. They have the ability to step up against the run and use their big bodies to get in passing lanes.

NO. 10 DETROIT FURY (9-8) AT NO. 2 TAMPA BAY STORM (12-4) SATURDAY, MAY 31, 3 P.M. ET (NBC)

DETROIT LINE and LINEBACKERS vs. TAMPA BAY LINE and LINEBACKERS

Analysis by Indiana Head Coach MIKE DAILEY and Director of Arena Football Operations, Tennessee Titans, PAT SPERDUTO. Dailey won an ArenaBowl title and Coach of the Year honors with the Firebirds in 1999.

DAILEY: With only eight teams remaining all eyes should be on the line of scrimmage. It is always said in the stadium-played game that the game is won and lost in the trenches. There is a lot of truth to that statement. In Arena Football, where the front people play both ways, it is even more critical.

Detroit has done a very good job of building a team. CURTIS EASON (6-2, 290, East Tennessee State) is a big, strong, quick pass rusher who can get it done from defensive end or the nose guard position. JON MC CALL (6-2, 290, Central Michigan) has a relentless motor to get to the quarterback. This unit plays well together and is solid both ways. ANDY KELLY (6-3, 220, Tennessee) has also improved the pass protection with a great three-step pass game.

SPERDUTO: The Fury's linebacker corps are led by RUPERT GRANT (6-1, 245, Howard), ERRICK HERRIN (6-1, 250, USC) and FRANK LEATHERWOOD (6-2, 255, Appalachian State). Grant, a former Howard standout may be the best blocking fullback in AFL and fills the gaps on defense. He will gain tough yards but will play until you drag him off the field. He has a great feel for flow of the game defensively and is an inspirational leader on an off the field.

DAILEY: Tampa Bay has always prided themselves on great defense and it always starts with a relentless pass rush. The offseason additions of B.J. COHEN (6-2, 260, Marshall) and KELVIN KINNEY (6-7, 280, Virginia State) have added to a great group of veterans.

Rookie AL LUCAS (6-1, 294, Troy State) is very strong and can give good inside pressure. The Storm have an excellent three-step passing game and this will help with pass protection. They have always been great on the defensive line of scrimmage and this year they are doing a great job of protecting the quarterback.

SPERDUTO: Tampa Bay's ANDRE BOWDEN (6-2, 260, Fayetteville State), BASIL PROCTOR (6-4, 275, West Virginia) and DAVID WHITE (6-2, 250, Nebraska) are a solid group for head coach, TIM MARCUM. Bowden and Proctor bring experience and could play a big factor in the playoffs. White, very similar to his position mates in size and aggressiveness, but has been slowed by injuries. This group of linebackers is rock-steady and that is what is needed in the postseason.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 29, 2003

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• Quarterfinal Must-See Matchups - AFL I
• Q & A with Jay and Jon Gruden - AFL I
• Quarterfinal Playoffs Approach - AFL I
• Carpenter Signs With NFL's 49ers - Buffalo Destroyers
• Shell Named Coach of the Year - AFL I

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