Quarterfinal Playoffs Approach

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

NEW YORK - May 29, 2003 - On Saturday, No. 10 Detroit looks to continue its momentum after coming off an upset win as they visit second seeded Tampa Bay (12-4) at the St. Pete Times Forum on at 3 p.m. ET. Detroit will try and stop four-time ArenaBowl Champion Tampa Bay, who have been in the playoffs for 17 consecutive years (including seasons in Pittsburgh.) Mike Breen (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst) and Marty Snider (reporter) will cover the game.

In other action, top-seeded San Jose (12-4) will begin the defense of their title as they host No. 12 Georgia at the HP Pavilion on NBC, Saturday, May 31 at 3 p.m. ET. Georgia (9-8) is coming of its first postseason victory ever and will try to upset defending champion, San Jose. Allen Bestwick (play-by-play), John Riggins (analyst) and Dave Burns (reporter) will handle the broadcast.

On Sunday, the AFL Quarterfinals will continue at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. QB Jay Gruden and No. 3 Orlando look for their seventh straight win as they host No. 8 New York at the TD Waterhouse Centre. Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporter) will call the game.

Jay Gruden, QB of Orlando - "For us to play on Sunday afternoons on NBC is unbelievable... to see where we came from back in 1991 where you could go to some arenas and have shot a cannon and would not have hit anyone - the crowds have gotten bigger.

In other action, No. 4 Los Angeles (11-5) will host a Quarterfinal matchup for the first time ever as No. 6 Arizona will travel to the Staples Center at 3 p.m. ET. Arizona has never lost in their four previous trips to the Staples Center and is coming in on a three game winning streak. Eli Gold (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) and Dave Burns (reporter) on the game broadcast.

The AFL on NBC Studio Show, a TelePrompTer-free zone, hosted by Al Trautwig with analysts Michael Irvin and Glenn Parker, kicks off the day with a preview of the regional coverage, including live interviews from the venues. The weekly Studio Show features pre-game analysis and features, halftime game updates from around the league, as well as the latest NFL news, and post-game wrap interviews.

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

• AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
• 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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