AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

San Jose' Santil, Philadelphia's Moten, Tampa Bay's Samuels Earns Week 17 Honors

June 24, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - San Jose SaberCats WR CLEANNORD SAINTIL, Philadelphia Soul DB EDDIE MOTEN and Tampa Bay Storm WR/LB LAWRENCE SAMUELS have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 17 of the 2008 season.

OFFENSIVE: Saintil (6-0, 190, Middle Tennessee St.) recorded 12 receptions for 155 yards and a League-best seven touchdowns as the San Jose SaberCats (11-5) defeated the Georgia Force (10-6), 68-62, on Saturday. Saintil registered receiving touchdowns of 15, four, six, 16, 31, 13 and 11 yards as San Jose's offense scored on 10 of 13 possessions. The SaberCats will host a Divisional Round matchup on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday, July 5 at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Moten (5-10, 185, Texas A&M - Kingsville) registered two tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble as the Philadelphia Soul (13-3) defeated the New York Dragons (8-8), 59-30, on Sunday. On New York's first possession of the game, Moten stripped WR/DB JASON WILLIS, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Soul LB ROD DAVIS in the end zone for a touchback. During the Dragons second possession of the second quarter Moten intercepted a pass by New York QB JUSTON WOOD on the Soul 10-yard line and returned it 25 yards to the Dragons 15-yard line. On a second-and-goal play in the third quarter, Moten intercepted Wood in the end zone and returned it 52 yards for the Soul's second defensive touchdown of the game. Moten forced three of New York's five turnovers as Philadelphia held New York to a season-low 30 points. The Soul will host a Divisional Round matchup on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Saturday July 5 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 127).

IRONMAN: Samuels (6-3, 220, Livingston) registered a game-high 11 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while recording an interception and forcing a key turnover on downs on defense as Tampa Bay (8-8) defeated the Los Angeles Avengers (5-11), 72-47, on Saturday. Samuels recorded receiving touchdowns of seven and five yards. On defense, Samuels produced the game's first two turnovers on the Avengers first two possessions. On the first play of the game, Samuels intercepted Los Angeles QB SONNY CUMBIE at the Storm 20-yard line, setting up Tampa Bay's first touchdown. On the next possession, Samuels recorded a key pass defense on fourth-and-15 to force a turnover on downs on the Storm 16-yard line which resulted in Tampa Bay's second touchdown five plays later.

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland QB Raymond Philyaw, Chicago QB Russ Michna and WR Donovan Morgan, Grand Rapids QB James MacPherson, Philadelphia QB Matt D'Orazio and WR Chris Jackson, San Jose QB Mark Grieb and WR/DB Rodney Wright, Tampa Bay QB Brett Dietz and FB/LB Phil Glover, Utah WR J.J. McKelvey.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland WR/DB Sakeen Wright, Colorado DB Rashad Floyd, Grand Rapids DB William Haith, Philadelphia LB Rod Davis, San Jose DB Clevan Thomas and DB Omarr Smith, Tampa Bay DB Traco Rachal and Utah LB Kelvin Morris.

Ironman of the Week candidates included: Chicago FB Dan Alexander, Cleveland DL Karon Riley, Colorado FB/LB Jason Harmon, Grand Rapids WR/DB Jermaine Lewis and Philadelphia FB/LB Clifton Smith.

2008 WINNERS:

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

Week 2: New Orleans' Danny Wimprine (Offensive), New York's Levy Brown (Defensive), Cleveland's Robert Redd (Ironman)

Week 3: Georgia's Chris Greisen (Offensive), Philadelphia's Gabe Nyenhuis (Defensive), Dallas' Will Pettis (Ironman)

Week 4: Grand Rapids' James MacPherson (Co-Offensive), Philadelphia's Chris Jackson (Co-Offensive), New Orleans' Calvin Spears (Defensive), Chicago's DeJuan Alfonzo (Ironman)

Week 5: Philadelphia's Matt D'Orazio (Offensive), Chicago's John Moyer (Defensive), Orlando's Marlon Moye-Moore (Ironman)

Week 6: Colorado's Ben Nelson (Offensive), Georgia's Cam Newton (Co-Defensive), New York's John Walker (Co-Defensive), New York's Chris Anthony (Ironman)

Week 7: Orlando's T.T. Toliver (Offensive), Colorado's Rashad Floyd (Defensive), Dallas' Will Pettis (Ironman)

Week 8: Cleveland's Otis Amey (Offensive), New Orleans' Norman LeJeune (Defensive), San Jose's Jason Geathers (Ironman)

Week 9: New Orleans' Danny Wimprine (Offensive), Philadelphia's Eddie Moten (Defensive), Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels (Ironman)

Week 10: Utah's Joe Germaine (Offensive), Orlando's Kenny McEntyre (Defensive), Los Angeles' Josh Jeffries (Ironman)

Week 11: Dallas' Clint Dolezel (Offensive), Tampa Bay's Traco Rachal (Defensive), Georgia's Matt Huebner (Ironman)

Week 12: Georgia's Tiger Jones (Offensive), Chicago's Dennison Robinson (Defensive), Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels (Ironman)

Week 13: San Jose's Mark Grieb (Offensive), San Jose's Marquis Floyd (Defensive), Dallas' Will Pettis (Ironman)

Week 14: Georgia's Carl Morris (Offensive), Arizona's Isaiah Trufant (Defensive), Dallas' Will Pettis (Ironman)

Week 15: Grand Rapids' James MacPherson (Offensive), Tampa Bay's Traco Rachal (Defensive), Philadelphia's Clifton Smith (Ironman)

Week 16: Philadelphia's Matt D'Orazio (Offensive), San Jose's Clevan Thomas (Defensive), Georgia's Carl Morris (Ironman)

Week 17: San Jose's Cleannord Saintil (Offensive), Philadelphia's Eddie Moten (Defensive), Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels (Ironman)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 24, 2008


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