Smith named "Ironman of the Week" for performance against Indiana
March 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Orlando Predators News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 9, 2004) -- Orlando Predators lineman Jermaine Smith was honored by the Arena Football League on Tuesday, being named U.S. Army's "Ironman of the Week" for his play against the Indiana Firebirds.
Defensively, Smith recorded three tackles, blocked an extra point and recorded a quarterback sack. On offense, he anchored a line that did not allow a quarterback sack. He also scored one touchdown on an 11-yard screen pass and set up a second touchdown on a 17-yard reception from his tight end position.
"Jermaine has really started to come on during the last two weeks," Head Coach Jay Gruden said. "It's the type of play we expected when we signed him during the off-season. When he gets it going, he's as dominating as any lineman in the league."
Smith earned All-Arena honors last season for the Georgia Force before signing with the Predators as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season. Smith and the Predators, 2-2, will face Georgia this Friday night at the TD Waterhouse Centre at 7:30 p.m.
The selection marked just the third time since the 2001 season that a lineman has been selected as "Ironman of the Week" in the Arena Football League.
In other AFL awards announced on Tuesday, New York's Aaron Garcia was tabbed the Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Week; while former Orlando Predators player Lamont Moore was selected the ADT Defensive Player of the Week.
Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento State), who is in his 10th AFL season, led the Dragons (2-3) to a 64-50 victory over the previously-undefeated San Jose SaberCats (3-1) on Sunday. The 2001 Offensive Player of the Year led New York by completing 19-of-21 (90 percent) for 285 yards and nine touchdown passes and one interception. He connected with five different receivers for touchdowns and currently leads the AFL in touchdown passes (30). The former Hornet connected on three scoring strikes in the final quarter as the Dragons outscored the SaberCats 20-3 in the final 15 minutes. This marks the 10th time that the two-time All-Arena QB has earned an AFL weekly honor.
Moore (5-11, 195, Baylor), who is in his fourth AFL season, led the New Orleans VooDoo (4-1) to a 55-43 victory over the defending champion Tampa Bay Storm (2-3) on Sunday. Defensively, Moore recorded two of the VooDoo's AFL record-tying three interception returns for touchdowns (Arizona at Minnesota, 1996) in the victory. Moore first returned a SHANE STAFFORD pass 10 yards for a touchdown on Tampa Bay's first offensive play to give New Orleans a 14-0 lead. Later in the third quarter, Moore had an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown. Moore also had half a tackle in the game. This marks the first time that the former Bear has earned an AFL weekly honor.
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