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July 11, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


KICKING UP THE DUST - The Dallas Desperados are on track to become the highest scoring expansion team in history... behind ANDY KELLY's 68 TDs, JOE AVEZZANO's Desperados are averaging 54.1 points per game, good for No. 2 this season behind San Jose's 64.0 per game... the top scoring expansion team is 1997's Nashville Kats, ironically led by Kelly, who averaged 52.9 points in 14 games... Here's a look at the highest scoring expansion teams in history (min. 12 games played):

PPG TEAM, YEAR
54.1 DALLAS DESPERADOS, 2002 (2 GAMES REMAINING)
52.9 Nashville Kats, 1997
52.4 Texas Terror, 1997
49.6 Toronto Phantoms, 2001
49.4 Iowa Barnstormers, 1995 (12 games)
48.9 Chicago Rush, 2001
48.8 Mass Marauders, 1994 (12 games)
47.1 New Jersey Red Dogs, 1997
47.0 Los Angeles Avengers, 2000
45.8 Carolina Cobras, 2000
45.6 Detroit Fury, 2001

NOT YOUR ‘AVERAGE' ROOKIES - Rookies ANTONIO CHATMAN of Chicago and CLEVAN THOMAS of San Jose are currently ranked No. 1 and 2, respectively, in Kickoff Return Average (not including Missed Field Goal Returns)... Chatman is averaging 23.2 yards on 50 returns; Thomas 22.9 on 47 returns (New Jersey's DENNISON ROBINSON has 16 returns for a 20.5 average)... Current Toronto Phantom, ANTHONY DERRICKS holds the No. 1 slot for rookies, with a 25.1 average in 2000... Here is a list of the top 10 Kickoff Return Averages by rookies (min. 20 kickoff returns):

AVG PLAYER, TEAM, YEAR
25.1 Anthony Derricks, New England, 2000
23.8 Willie Gaston, Connecticut, 1996
23.2 ANTONIO CHATMAN, CHICAGO, 2002 (2 Games Remaining)
23.2 Ricky Ross, Grand Rapids, 2001
23.1 Leonard Conley, Miami, 1993
22.9 CLEVAN THOMAS, SAN JOSE, 2002 (2 Games Remaining)
22.6 Siaha Burley, Orlando, 2001
22.6 Sedrick Robinson, Houston, 2001
20.5 Hunkie Cooper, Arizona, 1993
20.2 Jeff Jenkins, Dallas, 1991
19.5 Rodney Mazion, Anaheim, 1995
19.1 Michael Baker, St. Louis, 1996

THE "DUKES" OF HAZZARD - Avengers FB/LB CHAD DUKES is the league's rushing leader with 213 yards and 11 TDs... he is the only player to have led the league in rushing yards twice, in 1997 and '98 when he racked up 364 yards in each including totals of 17 and 10 TDs, respectively... last year's champ, Georgia's TRAVIS REECE, is No. 2 with 176 yards this season.

‘GRIEB' ON, HOLD TIGHT- San Jose QB MARK GRIEB is on pace to finish the campaign holding 2 of the top 5 best Passer Ratings in history... in 12 games, Grieb's rating is 125.6... Albany's MIKE PAWLAWSKI is the only QB to hold two of the all-time top 5 best ratings... Grieb has completed 234 passes in 361 attempts (64.8) for 3,092 yards, 64 TDs and 5 INTs... Here's a list of the top 5 Passer Ratings:

RTG. PLAYER, TEAM, YEAR
131.7 Raymond Philyaw, Indiana, 2001
129.6 Mark Grieb, San Jose, 2000
125.9 Mike Pawlawski, Albany, 1999
125.6 MARK GRIEB, SAN JOSE, 2002 (2 GAMES REMAINING)
123.1 Aaron Garcia, Iowa, 2000
122.6 Mike Pawlawski, Albany, 1997

TURN ME AROUND, AND AROUND: If the New Jersey Gladiators (8-4) win 1 of their last 2 games, they will have made the biggest season-to-season improvement in history after finishing 2-12 last year... Coach FRANK HAEGE now has a 45-5 (.900) record in Arena Football games, which includes a 37-1 record with the Steamwheelers of arenafootball2... Here's a look at the biggest turnarounds in the past decade:

6-GAME IMPROVEMENT:
San Jose 6-8 to 12-2 (1999-00)
Iowa 5-9 to 11-3 (1998-99)
Milwaukee 4-8 to 10-4 (1995-96)
Orlando 3-7 to 9-1 (1991-92)

5-GAME IMPROVEMENT:
Grand Rapids 6-8 to 11-3 (2000-01)
Iowa 7-5 to 12-2 (1995-96)
Albany 5-7 to 10-2 (1993-94)

AIN'T THAT A KICK - New Jersey K STEVE VIDETICH has made 77-of-78 PATs this season for an accuracy percentage of 98.7... his sure-footedness on extra points ranks him No. 1 all-time in that category with 2 games remaining... Here's a look at the AFL's most accurate PAT kickers:

PCT. PLAYER, TEAM, YEAR (MADE-ATT)
98.7 STEVE VIDETICH, NEW JERSEY, 2002 (77-78) (2 Games Remaining)
96.0 Brian Gowins, Grand Rapids, 2001 (96-100)
95.2 Clay Rush, Iowa, 2000 (99-104)
94.0 Nelson Garner, Indiana, 2001 (96-102)
94.0 Nelson Garner, Albany, 2000 (96-102)
93.0 Clay Rush, New York, 2001 (110-118)
91.8 Don Silvestri, Albany, 1999 (102-111)
91.8 Steve Videtich, Milwaukee, 2000 (90-98)

THE RUNNING MAN – QB JAY MCDONAGH holds the Gladiators record for longest rush from scrimmage with a 31-yard scamper in Week 11, eclipsing the previous mark of 29 by CONNELL MAYNOR last year... McDonagh is No. 1 among QBs with 67 yards rushing on 21 attempts for 6 TDs... Here's a look at this year's top 5 rushing QBs:

PLAYER, TEAM ATT YDS TD
Jay McDonagh, New Jersey 21 67 6
Connell Maynor, CAR/ORL 13 61 5
Raymond Philyaw, Indiana 15 52 4
Tony Graziani, Los Angeles 13 36 3
Shane Stafford, Tampa Bay 12 26 2

SCORING MACHINE: With 2 games left, the SaberCats boast one of the highest scoring offensive units in history, scoring 768 points in 12 games (64.0)... last year's NY Dragons hold the top spot with 898 (64.1)... Here's a look at the top 10 juggernauts in league history:

TEAM, YR PTS AVG/G
New York, 2001 898 64.1
Albany, 1996 873 62.4
San Jose, 2000 871 62.4
San Jose, 2001 831 59.4
Albany, 1999 822 58.7
Albany, 2000 815 58.2
Indiana, 2001 814 58.1
Iowa, 1997 803 57.4
G. Rapids, 2001 801 57.2
Iowa, 2000 797 56.9

THIEF IN THE NIGHT - Chicago's DAMEON PORTER is No. 1 with 9 INTs... last year, Porter was the league's top thief as well, with a record-tying 12 picks... the last time the same player led the league in INTs two straight seasons was Orlando's KENNY MCENTYRE in 1999 and 2000... McEntyre is No. 2 this season with 7... Hall of Fame DS, DURWOOD ROQUEMORE is the only other player to lead the league in that category twice – but not consecutively – in 1990 and ‘94.

NO SOPHOMORE JINX: Rattlers WR/DB CHRIS HORN, playing in his second season, is No. 1 in scoring with 188 points (31 TDs)... JAMES HUNDON of San Jose, also playing in his second season, is No. 2 with 186 points... not since EDDIE BROWN in 1994 has a first- or second-year player been crowned the scoring champ... Here's a look at standouts that have finished a season as No. 1 in scoring:

YEAR PLAYER, TEAM TD PTS EXP
1988 Carl Aikens, Chi. 22 132 1st
1989 George LaFrance, Det. 11 66 2nd
1992 Stevie Thomas, TB 27 162 2nd
1993 Barry Wagner, Orl. 28 170 2nd
1994 Eddie Brown, Alb. 48 288 1st

LA'S NEWEST DUO – While they may not be stealing headlines from Kobe and Shaq, the Avengers duo of CHRIS JACKSON and GREG HOPKINS is proving to be the most explosive scoring tandem in history, combining for 336 points and 55 TDs, good enough for fourth all-time... Hopkins is No. 3 with 172, while Jackson, in only 8 games, is No. 5 with 164 points, making them the only teammates to be ranked in the top 10 in scoring... Here's a year-by-year look at teammates (non-kicking) ranked in the top 10 in scoring:

PTS TEAMMATES, TEAM YEAR
370 Alvin Ashley/Larry Willis, New Jersey 1998
338 Barry Wagner/Billy Owens, Orlando 1994
338 George LaFrance/S. Thomas, Tampa Bay 1996
336 GREG HOPKINS/CHRIS JACKSON, LA 2002 (2 Games Remaining)
320 Gary Compton/Sean Riley, Milwaukee 2000
258 Andre Langley/B. Sargent, Detroit 1993
242 Stevie Thomas/Andre Bowden, Tampa Bay 1993
222 Carl Aikens/Reggie Smith, Chicago 1998
220 Barry Wagner/Herkie Walls, Orlando 1992
146 Fred Gayles/Tom Porras, Albany 1991
120 Dwayne Dixon/Lenny Taylor, Washington 1987
116 Carl Aikens/Mitchell Ward, Dallas 1990
72 Carl Aikens/Darryl Clark, Chicago 1989

THE GAME WINNERS: Trailing in the last few minutes of a game, Arizona's SHERDRICK BONNER and Dallas' ANDY KELLY are the men to have under center, at least according to this season's game winning drives. Three times each, Bonner and Kelly have guided their teams to victory in the closing seconds... Here's a look at the game winning drives by four quarterbacks this season (all 8 are game ending drives):

BONNER's Game Winning Drives:
* In Week 2 against Los Angeles, down 51-52 with 3:47 left, Bonner completed 4 passes for 42 yards including a 2-yard TD to HUNKIE COOPER for a 63-59 win.
* In Week 8 against Carolina, tied at 42 in overtime, Bonner completed 3 consecutive passes for 48 yards before handing off to CHRIS HORN for a one-yard TD in a 48-42 win.
* In Week 12 at Los Angeles, Bonner's 5-yard TD run in overtime lifted the Rattlers to a 52-46 win over the Avengers.

KELLY's Game Winning Drives:
* In Week 9 against Arizona, tied at 33 with 23 seconds left, Kelly went 2-for-5 for 27 yards to get the Desperados in position for JASON WELLS' 34-yard FG that won the game, 36-33.
* In Week 10 against Tampa Bay, Kelly hit SHANNON CULVER with a 16-yard pass in overtime to beat the Storm, 62-56.
* In Week 12 against Detroit, Kelly hit ANDY MCCULLOUGH with a 7-yard strike with three seconds remaining for a 61-54 victory over the Fury.

SCOTT MILANOVICH Game Winning Drive:
* In Week 7 against Indiana, down 50-52 with 1:49 left, Milanovich went 2-for-4 for 15 yards to set up a MIKE BLACK 21-yard FG in a 53-52 win.

CLINT DOLEZEL Game Winning Drive:
* In Week 10 against Georgia, with no time on the clock, Dolezel connected with STEVE SMITH on a 31-yard TD pass. BRIAN GOWINS nailed the extra point for a 42-41 victory.

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DID YOU KNOW?

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ANNIVERSARY OF AFL'S ONLY TIE THIS SUNDAY

With all the recent talk about "ties" in sporting events, the Arena Football League is approaching the anniversary of the ONLY tie game in its 16-year history.

On July 14, 1988, the Chicago Bruisers and the Los Angeles Cobras played to a 37-37 tie. Neither team scored in the then seven-minute overtime period in front of 10,263 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Under current rules, overtime lasts 15 minutes, with sudden death coming after each team has at least one possession.

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WEEK 13 SCHEDULE (All Times ET)

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FRIDAY, JULY 12
Carolina at BUFFALO, 7:30 P.M.
San Jose at ARIZONA, 10:00 P.M. (WB20)
SATURDAY, JULY 13
Tampa Bay at DETROIT, 7:30 P.M. (Fox Sports Detroit, Sunshine Network)
Toronto at NEW JERSEY, 7:30 P.M. (YES Network)
Georgia at ORLANDO, 7:30 P.M. (Turner South, Time Warner)
Grand Rapids at NEW YORK, 7:30 P.M. (Fox Sports New York)
Dallas at CHICAGO, 8:00 P.M. (UPN 21-Dallas)
SUNDAY, JULY 14
Los Angeles at INDIANA, 4:30 P.M. (The New TNN)

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WEEK 13 INJURY REPORT

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**AS REPORTED TO THE LEAGUE OFFICE BY WEDNESDAY, JULY 10**

* CAROLINA COBRAS (5-7) AT BUFFALO DESTROYERS (6-6)

CAROLINA: None Reported.
BUFFALO: OUT: OL/DL Jeremy Johnson (knee); PROBABLE: WR/DB Carlos James (back).

* SAN JOSE SABERCATS (12-0) AT ARIZONA RATTLERS (9-3)

SAN JOSE: PROBABLE: OL/DL Joe Jacobs (quad strain), WR/DB Anthony Cobbs (leg cramps).
ARIZONA: OUT: OL/DL Charlie Morris (shoulder); QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Joe Burch (toe), OL/DL Tim Croff (toes), OL/DL Jeff Macrea (lower leg), FB/LB Greg Gales (foot), DS Ricky Parker (face); PROBABLE: OL/DL Stacy Evans (knee) DS Cecil Doggette (ribs), QB Sherdrick Bonner (shoulder).

* TAMPA BAY STORM (4-8) AT DETROIT FURY (1-11)

TAMPA BAY: None Reported.
DETROIT: OUT: OS Robert Gordon (R humerus fracture), OL/DL Harry Deligianis (low back strain), DS Kevin Scott (L Achilles tendon strain), DS Chuck Winters (L knee torn ACL); PROBABLE: DS Kenny Wheaton (R foot sprain,), OL/DL Kelvin Kinney (L knee sprain).

* TORONTO PHANTOMS (5-7) AT NEW JERSEY GLADIATORS (8-4)

TORONTO: OUT: OL/DL Steve Konopka (knee sprain), OL/DL Connell Spain (knee fracture), FB/LB Phil Glover (knee sprain), QB Chad Salisbury (elbow ligament rupture); PROBABLE: OL/DL John Summerday (finger sprain), WR/LB Nakia Jenkins (knee tendonitis), WR/DB Charlie Davidson (ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: DS Delphrine Lee (hamstring strain); DOUBTFUL: WR/DB Jerald Long (knee rupture).
NEW JERSEY: OUT: WR/DB Jamaine Blalock (L Achilles rupture), DS Marc Williams (L knee tear), OL/DL Dwayne Sabb (L knee tear), WR/LB George Williams (L fibula fracture); DOUBTFUL: WR/DB Carlos Johnson (L knee contusion); QUESTIONABLE: DS Damon Mason (R thigh contusion), FB/LB Chris Pope (L groin strain), FB/LB Frank Carter (R hand fracture).

* GEORGIA FORCE (5-7) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-6)

GEORGIA: OUT: FB/LB Rupert Grant (L Achilles tendon rupture), FB/LB Kelron Sykes (L knee arthritis), K Stan Whitlock (L knee contusion) OL/DL Jimmy Brumbaugh (R groin chronic strain); PROBABLE: OL/DL Robert Gaddy (coccyx contusion); QUESTIONABLE: FB/LB Dan Curran (L ankle sprain); DOUBTFUL: DS Scott Lindsey (L thumb fracture).
ORLANDO: OUT: FB/LB Brian Goolsby, QB Craig Whelihan; DOUBTFUL: K Nick Gatto, OL/DL Reggie Lee, WR/LB Damon Bowers; QUESTIONABLE: DS Tommy Henry, WR/DB Andre Cooper.

* GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (6-6) AT NEW YORK DRAGONS (2-10)

GRAND RAPIDS: QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Israel Raybon; PROBABLE: OS Terrill Shaw, DS Joseph Todd.
NEW YORK: None Reported.

* DALLAS DESPERADOS (7-5) AT CHICAGO RUSH (8-4)

DALLAS: None Reported.
CHICAGO: OUT: OS Joe Douglass (abdominal); PROBABLE: K David Cool (lower extremity), FB/LB Jamie McGourty (lower extremity), K Adam Hicks (lower extremity).

* LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (7-5) AT INDIANA FIREBIRDS (5-7)

LOS ANGELES: None reported.
INDIANA: OUT: DS Cornelius Coe (ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: OL/DL Brian Creel (knee sprain), WR/LB Drew O'Connor (hamstring), FB/LB Sunungura Rusununguko (ankle), WR/LB Shawn Foreman (hand), OS Robert Hall (hamstring).

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