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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Rattlers Hope to Stop Avengers

April 10, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII is in full tilt as teams vie for playoff positioning. This Sunday, the top-ranked Los Angeles Avengers (8-2) host the Arizona Rattlers (5-5) in a Western Division showdown (NBC, 3 p.m. ET).

In the midst of a five-game winning streak, Los Angeles looks to stay atop the Western Division with their second win in the all-time series (1-5) against Arizona. The Avengers offense scores on 76.1 of their possessions (No. 2 in the AFL) and ranks No. 2 in scoring with a 57.5 average. Los Angeles QB TONY GRAZIANI is 91-of-141 for 1,347 yards, 33 touchdowns and two interceptions in the Avengers' last five games. His favorite target has been OS CHRIS JACKSON (last five games, 13 scoring catches), who has had at least two touchdown receptions in every game this season. On third-down pass attempts, Graziani throws to Jackson almost 50-percent of the time, but it's defending Ironman of the Year WR/LB GREG HOPKINS who has the best hands in that situation. In his eighth season, Hopkins pulls in 78-percent of 3rd-down passes thrown his way, including four for touchdowns.

Arizona's second-rated pass defense, led by WR/DB RANDY GATEWOOD (No. 2 in AFL, seven interceptions – team record) and DS RICKY PARKER, will work to shake up Los Angeles and pressure Graziani, who has only been sacked once in his last three games. The Rattlers have collected 17 interceptions – four for touchdowns – thus far (tie-No. 2, Tampa Bay). Arizona's front line has protected QB SHERDRICK BONNER well in the eight games he's played to date, allowing just two sacks. Bonner, who boasts the fourth-best passer rating (120.5), surpassed the 25,000-yard passing mark last week, connecting with newcomer TERENCE DAVIS on three scoring strikes. Veteran WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER has six scores this season, all have come on 1st-down attempts. Cooper continues to be reliable on 2nd-downs, too, holding onto 13-of-14 passes in his direction (93-percent).

When Bonner, now in his 10th season, and third-year AFL passer Graziani face off this weekend, it won't mark the first time the two left-handed quarterbacks exchange handshakes and greetings – both were members of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons roster in 1998.

"He was the guy that probably influenced me the most into coming to the Arena Football League," said Graziani. "He was the guy that I looked to for advice. Since we are both left-handed, I'm able to study him.

This Sunday marks the 100th regular season game for Bonner, who needs eight touchdown passes to reach the 500-career mark.

Other games for Week 11 include: Tampa Bay at Carolina, Buffalo at Orlando and Detroit at San Jose on Friday; New York at Georgia on Saturday; Chicago at Colorado (NBC), Las Vegas at Grand Rapids, and Dallas at Indiana (NBC) on Sunday.

TAMPA BAY STORM (8-2) AT CAROLINA COBRAS (0-10)

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, AT 7:30 P.M. ET

The AFL's winningest coach, Tampa Bay's TIM MARCUM (151-53) brings the League's toughest scoring defense (40.8 PPG) to Charlotte this Sunday in a Southern Division showdown with the Cobras. The Storm's No. 2-ranked total defense allows just 245.0 yards per game, including a League-best 8.0 rushing yards per game. Snaring the second-most interceptions this season (17, tie-Arizona), the Storm is led by ball hawks WR/DB OMARR SMITH and WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS (combined eight interceptions). Tampa Bay has held its last five opponents (all wins) to less than 40 points and boasts the No. 3 pass defense rating. In those contests, the Storm has outscored the opposition by an average of 23.0 points and currently owns the best turnover margin (+13). Tampa Bay not only owns the No. 1 red zone defense (allowing scores on 32-of-43 attempts, 74.4 percent), but also has the toughest defense on 3rd- and 4th-down conversion, 22 stops on 66 attempts (33.3 percent). The Storm is second in sacks (18) – eight different Storm players have at least 1.0 sack, including sack leaders Samuels, B.J. COHEN and KELVIN KINNEY (IR as of 4/9/02) with three each. The AFL's fifth-best passer rating belongs to JOHN KALEO (118.5), whose primary scoring target has been OS FREDDIE SOLOMON (126 points, No. 8 overall). Tampa Bay's rushing offense has been equally effective, scoring 15 touchdowns in its seven-game winning streak, including a pair last week by veteran FB/LB ANDRE BOWDEN (No. 2 in career rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns). Carolina OS BERNARD HOLMES has recorded 200-or-more all-purpose yards in each of his last seven games. Holmes leads the Cobras in scoring (96 points) and ranks third among the AFL 's top kick returners with 1,019 yards. Carolina QB STEWART PATRIDGE posted franchise records of 30 completions and 46 pass attempts last week against Los Angeles, throwing for 287 yards and six touchdowns. In his sixth AFL season, WR/DB TY LAW continues to make his presence felt on both sides of the ball, pulling in 40 catches (six scores) for 391 yards and recording 17.0 tackles and an interception for Carolina. Former Purdue Boilermaker DEREK STINGLEY (one interception, 10 pass breakups) and WR/DB LARRY CASHER (50.0 tackles, two interceptions) lead the Cobras defense. Carolina is third overall in opponents' 4th-down conversions, allowing teams to advance on 2-of-7 attempts (28.6 percent).

BUFFALO DESTROYERS (4-6) AT ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-4)

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, AT 7:30 P.M. ET (TV: EMPIRE SPORTS NETWORK – JIM BRINSON and BOB TRIMBLE)

Predators QB JAY GRUDEN has been named the starter for this Friday matchup against Buffalo. The six-time ArenaBowl champion was activated from injured reserve earlier this week and hopes to get the Predators back on track. In three-and-a-half games, before suffering an ankle injury in Week 4, Gruden guided Orlando to an undefeated start, passing for close to 1,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and no interceptions. Backup CONNELL MAYNOR has been a powerful weapon for Orlando, capable passing (26 touchdowns) or rushing (five scores). His 13.9 passing-yards-per-catch average leads all AFL passers (minimum three games). The Preds' receiving trio – TRAVIS MCGRIFF, CORY FLEMING and THABITI DAVIS – have combined for 59 percent of the Predators scoring output (298-of-506 points). Former Florida Gator McGriff ranks No. 6 among all AFL scorers (140 points) and owns second-place for yards per catch (17.0), remaining a top candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. Policing the backfield for Orlando are the AFL's top tackler KENNY MCENTYRE (66.0 tackles, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups, one fumble recovery) and REGGIE DOSTER (51.5 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one safety), limiting opponents to an average 48.5 points each week. Orlando is third for the most sacks this season (15), led by Predators lineman E.J. BURT (five sacks, No. 3 overall), who is also the League leader in forced fumbles with 10. The Destroyers boast the second-best scoring defense (43.1 PPG) and the No. 5 overall defense (258.6 YPG). Led by DWAINE CARPENTER and JOJO POLK, Buffalo owns the fourth-most interceptions (15) among AFL teams and is fourth-best (tie) in interception returns for touchdowns (three). Head coach RON SELESKY has his defensive unit holding opponents on 4th-down conversions 25.0-percent of the time (No. 2). Buffalo holds the third-best turnover margin (+6) and stands at the No. 4 position (tie, Detroit) for their red-zone defense -- opponents have scored on 31-of-40 attempts, 77.5-percent. In his first AFL start, rookie QB CHRIS SANDERS put Buffalo back in the ‘W' column last week, passing for 213 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions against Eastern Division rival New York. Sanders' primary target in the contest, veteran OS JAMES BOWDEN, pulled in three third-down receptions for touchdowns in the victory, the most by any Destroyers receiver (GUNNARD TWYNER twice) this season.

DETROIT FURY (5-5) AT SAN JOSE SABERCATS (7-3)

FRIDAY, APRIL 11, AT 10:30 P.M. ET

The Detroit Fury will travel to the Bay Area to take on the San Jose SaberCats and the League's top-rated offense. San Jose, led by QB MARK GRIEB, averages a League-leading 66.3 points per game and is one game behind the Los Angeles in the Western Division. The SaberCats come into the contest with the the best rushing offense in the AFL (39.7 YPG) with League leader KEALA KEANAAINA as the catalyst. Keanaaina leads the AFL in rushing with 185 yards (18.5 yards per game) and 10 touchdowns. The SaberCats have amassed the second highest single-game first down total in League history and set a team record with 32 first downs in their loss at Dallas. Over the last three games, San Jose has totaled 77 first downs (25.7 per game) and are currently No. 3 in the AFL with 205. Under the direction of offensive coordinator TERRY MALLEY, the SaberCats have reached the 60-point mark 30 times in 65 games (including playoffs). Prior to Malley's arrival, the SaberCats had scored 60 or more points six times in 65 games. The SaberCats lead the League in red-zone scoring efficiency at 97.9 percent having scored 47-of-48 times once inside the opponent's 10-yard line. Fury QB ANDY KELLY continues his assault on the Arena Football League record books, as he remains the League's all-time leading passer with AFL veterans AARON GARCIA and SHERDRICK BONNER are right behind. Kelly is currently the leader in attempts (3,821), completions (2,355) and passing yards (26,370). The duo of SULECIO SANFORD and TY GROVESTEEN currently rank in the Top 10 in catch percentage with 73-percent each – no other team has more than one in the Top 10. Detroit is one of only two teams (New York is the other) to have six receivers with at least 20 receptions this season.

NEW YORK DRAGONS (3-7) AT GEORGIA FORCE (6-4)

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, AT 7:30 P.M. ET

It's a match-up pitting the League's top offense vs. the toughest defense when New York and Georgia clash this Saturday night. The Dragons are averaging an AFL-best 323.0 yards per game (319.2 passing). New York QB AARON GARCIA remains on pace for a record-setting 118-touchdown, 5,275-yard passing performance this season. Garcia's go-to guy has been the AFL's scoring leader OS MIKE FURREY (240 points), whose nearest scoring competitor is at least 70 points away. Quietly getting things done is WR/DB CHRIS ANTHONY, who catches the ball 80-percent of the time on 3rd-down when he is the intended receiver (23-percent) and ranks second overall in catch-percentage (36-of-45 passes, 80-percent). New York boasts the No. 4 red zone offense, scoring on 89.5 percent of opportunities inside the 10-yard line (34-of-38). The Dragons' "D" continues to climb the ranks each week led by DONVETIS FRANKLIN (61.0 tackles, No. 3 overall), who ranks second among pass defenders (15 pass breakups, four interception). As New York's kick returner, Franklin has been averaging 23.7 yards per return on kickoffs (No. 8-AFL). The AFL's youngest head coach, MARTY LOWE (31), brings the Force's No. 1-ranked defense (226.6 YPG), allowing just 212.4 passing yards per contest, over 100 yards less than New York is currently averaging. In his sixth AFL season, KEVIN GAINES (listed as probable for this week) leads Georgia's No. 1 pass defense (205.4 YPG) with 31.0 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups to date. Linemen MARCUS KEYES and TONY HENDERSON continue strong line play, leading the Force to a fifth-best (tie) 10 sacks. Veteran FB/LB DARRYL HAMMOND (20.5 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups) and third-year FB/LB DAN CURRAN (13.0 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble) continue to brush off defenders and challenge opposing offenses, combining for 128 points this season, as the team's No. 1 and No. 4 scorers, respectively. Curran, tied for the No. 3 spot among rushing touchdowns leaders (8), and FB/LB TRAVIS REECE (5) guide the Force's fourth-ranked rushing offense (18 touchdowns, 22.4 YPG). Georgia OS TYRONNE JONES has recorded five touchdown receptions in his last two games (12 receptions, 173 yards). Rookie QB LEON MURRAY (6-3, 212, Tennessee State) will make his first career start for the Force replacing DONNIE DAVIS, who suffered a concussion last week at Tampa Bay.

CHICAGO RUSH (4-6) AT COLORADO CRUSH (1-9)

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – ELI GOLD and CHARLES DAVIS)

The Chicago Rush hope to continue their climb for the Central Division title when they travel to the Mile-High City to play the Colorado Crush. Colorado OS JOE DOUGLASS and WR/DB ANTHONY DERRICKS will face their former teammates for the first time. Douglass leads the AFL in catch percentage with 84 percent (49 receptions in 58 chances), while Derricks has been making the conversion to WR/DB from DS/KR and still helping in the Crush return game (381 yards and two touchdowns) in the process. Colorado QB JEFF LEWIS completed 17-of-21 (81 percent) with four touchdowns and no interceptions on first down in his AFL debut last week. Chicago OS ANTONIO CHATMAN has scored 18 touchdowns in his last six contests. As a receiver, Chatman has caught 41 passes for 629 yards (15.3 yards per catch) and 15 touchdowns. He is averaging 27.8 yards per kick return in the six games (28-778) with three touchdowns. Rush OL/DL JOHN MOYER has recorded a career-high 6.0 sacks this season, breaking ANTHONY HUTCH's team record of 5.5 (set in 2001). Moyer, who earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 10, set a career-high with 2.0 sacks in last week's victory over Detroit. His 6.0 sacks this season currently rank No. 2 in the League. BILLY DICKEN has thrown 158 career touchdown passes to 15 different receivers. Chatman has become Dicken's favorite target with 34 scoring catches followed by former Rush and current Crush OS Douglass (24). Dicken has thrown at least four touchdown passes in 27 of his 34 career games. He has never had a game in which he did not throw a scoring strike. In addition, 47 of his touchdowns have come in the fourth quarter or overtime.

LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (6-4) AT GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE (7-3)

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, AT 3 P.M. ET

The battle of division leaders will take place in Grand Rapids when Las Vegas Head Coach FRANK HAEGE brings the AFL's No. 3 rush defense (12.4 YPG) to face Grand Rapids Head Coach MICHAEL TRIGG and the No. 4 offense (55.5 PPG). At the controls of the Rampage offense is QB CLINT DOLEZEL is on pace to become the first AFL quarterback to throw for more then 80 touchdowns in five different seasons – currently projected to finish with 83. Dolezel is most effective on 3rd down where he is 32-for-44 (72.7 percent) with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions. The Rampage's trio of TERRILL SHAW, STEVE SMITH and WILLIS MARSHALL has combined to catch a League-leading 180 passes for 2,186 yards (No. 4 in AFL) and 53 touchdowns (No. 3). Marshall is currently No. 4 in catch percentage, 78-percent (50 receptions in 64 chances) and has 29 receptions on 1st down (in 33 chances, 88-percent). Grand Rapids leads the League in kickoff return average (24.7), 3RD down conversion (64.8) and is No. 3 in completion percentage (66.9 percent). Las Vegas OS MIKE HORACEK is averaging 11 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns over his last three games. He is coming off a franchise record 15-reception performance and currently leads the Gladiators in touchdowns on all down situations, including 11 of his 25 touchdowns occurring on 2nd down. In 2003, 19 of QB JAY MCDONAGH's 32 touchdowns have come on 3rd down. Las Vegas is tied for the League lead in fumble recoveries (10).

DALLAS DESPERADOS (6-4) AT INDIANA FIREBIRDS (4-6)

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – MIKE BREEN, RAY BENTLEY and DAVE BURNS)

The Indiana Firebirds and the Dallas Desperados will rekindle a Week 9 showdown this weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse. In their last meeting, Indiana grabbed a last-second 62-55 victory at Reunion Arena. As the scene shifts, Dallas looks to play the role of 'road warrior' while Indiana looks to sneak past their Texas rival and earn a better playoff seed. Desperados quarterback JIM KUBIAK enters the game completing 69.1-percent of his passes while the offense is racking up 309.4 yards per game (No. 2 in AFL). His go-to guy, OS DIALLEO BURKS, has chalked up 16 touchdowns this season, half of which occurred on 1st down. The Desperados are No. 2 in the AFL by converting 71.4 percent (5-of-7) of their 4th-down opportunities, while Kubiak is a perfect 4-of-4 in those situations. Led by Lineman of the Year candidate TOM BRIGGS (8.5 sacks), the Desperados lead the AFL with 19 sacks. Firebirds activated QB RAYMOND PHILYAW after a hand injury. The quarterback will make his first appearance as a starter after a five-week stint on injured reserve and has yet to throw an interception this season. The return of Philyaw will boost Indiana's lagging offense. While the signal caller was sidelined, WR/LB EDDIE BROWN failed to attain 100 yards receiving and did not record a touchdown in three games. Philyaw's presence in the huddle has the Firebirds flying higher than they were two weeks ago. Indiana FB/LB LEROY THOMPSON has had a rushing touchdown in each of his last three games.

ARIZONA RATTLERS (5-5) AT LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (8-2)

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 3 P.M. ET (TV: NBC – TOM HAMMOND, PAT HADEN and LEWIS JOHNSON)

Arizona WR/LB HUNKIE COOPER has a catch percentage of 79-percent having made 34 receptions of 43 chances (No. 3 in the AFL). He leads the League in all-time kickoff returns (469), ranks No. 2 all-time in all-purpose yards (19,155), No. 3 in kickoff return touchdowns (19), and No.4 in pass receptions (682). He is also tied-No. 2 in interceptions returned for touchdowns (7). This season, Cooper's six receiving touchdowns have all come on 1st down. QB SHERDRICK BONNER is No. 3 all-time with 492 touchdown passes. He needs eight more to reach 500 career. He ranks No. 3 in passing yards (25,014) and pass completions (1,977) and ranks No. 4 for pass attempts. In five games against the Avengers, he has averaged 266.8 yards passing and thrown for 25 touchdowns. His career record as the starting quarterback for the Rattlers is 84-31. Arizona ranks third on 4th-down conversions, advancing on 7-of-10 attempts (70.0 percent). Los Angeles OS CHRIS JACKSON has 77 catches for 1, 114 yards and 28 touchdowns. With 95 receiving touchdowns, Jackson is just five away from reaching 100 career, a feat only 13 other players have accomplished in AFL history. Jackson is 3-of-3 passing with three touchdowns – all three came in Los Angeles victories. QB TONY GRAZIANI has a 62.1 first down passing percentage connecting on 108-of-174 passes and scoring 39 of his 60 touchdowns. Graziani is 46-of-93 for 666 yards and 17 touchdowns against the Rattlers. Avengers WR/DB KEVIN INGRAM has 34 receptions for 339 yards and 10 touchdowns to date and earned Ironman of the Game honors in three of Los Angeles' last five wins. REMY HAMILTON leads the League in scoring by kickers with 95 points and has converted on 10 field goals and 65-of-72 extra point attempts. He is currently ranked No. 5 all-time in scoring by kickers with 685 points. The Avengers own the second-best 3rd-down conversion percentage (58.2), advancing on 32-of-55 attempts.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 10, 2003


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