This week in the AFL

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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

This week in the AFL

by Mark Sargent
April 18, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


With the rosters all trimmed down to 24 players, the 16th season of Arena Football is about to begin. All 16 teams will see action this weekend as they begin their treks toward the 2002 Arena Bowl Championship Game.

Two new teams join the league this season, the Dallas Desperados and Georgia Force. On Friday evening the season kicks off with three exciting match-ups as the New Jersey Gladiators visit Buffalo to take on the Destroyers. Both teams have made some key player changes and this should be a very close contest.

Former NFL quarterback Glenn Foley takes over the helm at New Jersey. He has some talented receivers to throw to in James Bowden and Alvin Ashley. The Gladiators have a solid defense with Damon Mason as the defensive specialist and a strong kicking game with Steve Videtich. They will definitely improve on their 2-12 record from last year and should be a playoff contender.

The Destroyers are also vastly improved over 2001. The addition of Fred McNair at quarterback, receivers Lamont and Bret Cooper, and the kicking of Steve McLaughlin, the 2002 Destroyers should have an explosive offence. Add to that the stability and experience of one of the premier players in the entire league, Kevin Mason, and the Destroyers are definitely contenders for a divisional championship and beyond. So on Friday evening I look for this to be a high scoring game and I give the edge to Buffalo by 7 points.

In Friday's other contests, the Chicago Rush are at Indiana to battle with Eddie Brown and the Firebirds, and the New York Dragons visit Los Angeles to take on the Avengers.

Five games are on tap Saturday evening. The 2001 Arena Bowl Champion Grand Rapids Rampage open the season at home against the Detroit Fury. Quarterback Clint Dolezel, "The Gunslinger," is back for another season along with his favorite target, Terrill Shaw. Once again expect the Rampage to put up some big offensive numbers.

The Fury also have a solid team and are looking to improve on last season's record of 7-7. Ricky Foggie, a six-year AFL veteran, takes over as the new starting quarterback for Detroit. He has had an impressive AFL career. He is very fast and mobile and his experience will help in Detroit. Foggie also has two excellent receivers in Robert Gordon and Chuck Levy. Gordon is one of the top receivers in the entire league, and last season he hauled in 125 catches resulting in 42 touchdowns. Levy is also extremely talented and caught 14 touchdown passes in 2001. This should be a very close, high-scoring game but as the Rampage are playing at home, I give the edge to Grand Rapids by just a field goal.

Other action on Saturday evening includes Dallas at Carolina, Toronto at Tampa Bay, Orlando at Georgia and Arizona at San Jose. So with the 2002 season upon us, buckle up and get ready for some very exciting, hard hitting, and high scoring football action.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 18, 2002


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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