Fantasy Look: Week 8 Preview
Patrick Daly
Thursday March 17, 2005
Dallas Desperados at Los Angeles Avengers
Dallas FB/LB Ja’Mar Toombs (122 rushing yards and 8 total TDs) is tied for the league lead in rushing scores and has found the end zone in all but one of his games. FB/LB Duke Petitjohn (106 rushing yards and 3 TDs) has amassed the yards, but hasn’t had the same scoring opportunities so far. QB Clint Stoerner (1694 passing yards and 33 TDs) has been the determining factor for Dallas, with only one interception against his 26 touchdowns in the Desperados’ five wins.
A well-rested Avengers squad needs a better red zone performance than what they showed against the Arizona Rattlers two weeks ago. WR/DB Kevin Ingram (26-323 and 8 TDs) leads the team with eight touchdowns, but should soon be surpassed by rookie OS Tony Locke (19-239 and 6 TDs). QB John Kaleo (1502 passing yards and 27 TDs) has his work cut out for him against a Dallas defense that’s held two opponents to 28 points and another to 31 points this season.
Grand Rapids Rampage at San Jose SaberCats
The Michael Bishop (1264 passing yards, 239 rushing yards, 27 passing TDs and 6 rushing TDs) show heads to San Jose where the SaberCats have made a statement over the past two weeks after a pair of tough losses. OS Chris Jackson (35-483 and 9 TDs) is expected back in the lineup, which is good news for the Rampage. The bad news is that WR/DB Anthony Hines (12-222 and 5 TDs) will likely be out. WR/DB Josh Bush (23-338 and 7 TDs) bears a second look after posting his second two-touchdown game.
The SaberCats have spent the past two weeks demonstrating why they’re the defending ArenaBowl champions, with WR/LB James Roe (50-668 and 16 totals TDs) playing the primary role of playmaker. QB Mark Grieb (1889 passing yards and 31 TDs) continues to put together a solid season, while FB/LB Matt Kinsinger (39 rushing yards and 7 TDs) has already tied his career best seven touchdowns in a season.
New York Dragons at Austin Wranglers
The Dragons hold the league’s top record at 5-1, with OS Mike Horacek (35-475 and 14 TDs) carrying the offensive load for New York. QB Aaron Garcia (1373 passing yards and 31 TDs) is a little off of his pace from the past two seasons, but remains one of the top quarterback options.
The Wrangler offense has stumbled lately after scoring 73 and 63 points in back-to-back games only a few weeks ago. QB John Fitzgerald (1618 passing yards and 31 TDs) had an off week against Dallas, which showed in the numbers put up by WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini (48-424 and 8 TDs) and WR/DB Kevin Nickerson (36-522 and 14 total TDs). OS Tacoma Fontaine (20-321 and 3 TDs) seems to be mired in a sophomore slump, with only a total of eight catches for 105 yards and no touchdowns over the past three games.
Orlando Predators at Georgia Force
The Orlando Predators are a much different team with WR/LB Cory Fleming (30-316 and 10 TDs) in the lineup, which makes QB Joe Hamilton (1499 passing yards, 30 passing TDs and 5 rushing TDs) a better option when he can rely on Fleming’s presence. Since Travis McGriff’s release OS Jimmy Fryzel (16-263 and 6 TDs) hasn’t matched his debut performance, but he has found the end zone at least once each week.
Georgia may have lost a close one to New York, but WR/LB Derek Lee (51-624 and 17 TDs) grabbed the spotlight with a six-touchdown performance, while OS Troy Bergeron (57-789 and 20 TDs) saw his streak of three or more touchdown games snapped. QB Matt Nagy (860 passing yards and 20 TDs) tossed three picks in the loss, but he still seems to be comfortable in offensive coordinator Steve Thonn’s offense and has the weapons to continue posting big numbers.
Las Vegas Gladiators at Arizona Rattlers
Like Fleming makes Orlando a better team, QB Clint Dolezel (782 passing yards and 12 TDs) instantly elevates the Gladiator offense and OS Marcus Nash (52-720 and 13 total TDs) was back in his 2004 form with Dolezel at the helm. FB/LB Frank Carter (66 rushing yards and 5 TDs) hasn’t been able to live up to his opening night performance, but he’s scored in each of the last two games and has contributed in other ways with nine sacks on defense.
After a heartbreaking loss in Tampa, the Rattlers are still reeling, although QB Sherdrick Bonner (988 passing yards and 19 TDs) and OS Siaha Burley (57-811 and 20 TDs) produced good individual performances that helped fantasy owners. The Rattlers face a stingy Las Vegas defense, which may limit their numbers this week.
New Orleans VooDoo at Chicago Rush
QB Andy Kelly (2078 passing yards and 43 TDs) remains on pace to set career highs in yards and touchdowns, although he faces a tougher Rush defense in Chicago. OS Aaron Bailey (61-764 and 16 total TDs) remains the top receiving threat, although WR/LB Thabiti Davis (55-489 and 11 TDs) and WR/DB Jacques Rumph (47-506 and 11 total TDs) aren’t far behind.
With QB Raymond Philyaw (1301 passing yards and 23 TDs) still bothered by injury, QB Todd Hammel (647 passing yards and 12 TDs) may get another start, but it’s a gamble to start either player. OS Henry Douglas (35-482 and 10 TDs) looked good in his return to the field, while WR/LB Etu Molden (50-470 and 14 TDs) continues to find the end zone. FB/LB Bob McMillen (83 rushing yards and 3 TDs) may have hit his groove with 20-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in each of the last two games.
Tampa Bay Storm at Philadelphia Soul
The Storm squeaked out a win on the leg of K Matt George (6-14 FGs and 40-44 XPs), but it’s been QB Shane Stafford (1685 passing yards and 36 TDs) that has gotten Tampa Bay rolling. OS Freddie Solomon (23-323 and 7 TDs) was held in check, but should thrive against the Soul. WR/DB Clif Dell (28-277 and 14 TDs) has seen fewer chances with the return of Solomon and WR/DB T.T. Toliver (8-54 and 3 TDs).
When your team is struggling and you’ve already fired the head coach, it’s time to fire the kicker. OK, that’s not a hard and fast rule, but K Derek Schorejs (2-7 FGs and 38-46 XPs) is out, with a number of candidates ready to take his place. QB Tony Graziani (1812 passing yards and 40 TDs) tossed another two picks and struggled against the San Jose defense. WR/LB Sean Scott (43-492 and 17 TDs) was held scoreless for the first time, while OS Steve Smith (42-622 and 15 TDs) was on the receiving end of all three of Graziani’s touchdown passes.
Columbus Destroyers at Colorado Crush
After a promising win over Chicago four weeks ago, the Destroyers’ offense has gone the wrong direction, with QB Matt D’Orazio (877 passing yards and 14 TDs) pulled last week in favor of last year’s starter, QB Ryan Vena (116 passing yards and 2 TDs). WR/DB Sedrick Robinson (24-207 and 3 TDs) had has best game of the season, which included a four-yard touchdown pass to WR/LB Cornelius White (42-492 and 8 TDs)
Crush QB John Dutton (1554 passing yards and 34 TDs) continues to roll along, which shouldn’t end this week, continuing to make OS Damian Harrell (44-588 and 18 TDs) a top option at receiver.
Bye: Nashville Kats
Like most teams, the bye week will be an opportunity for the Kats to get healthy. It’ll also give OS Travis McGriff (27-294 and 4 TDs) and WR/LB Lindsey Fleshman (10-121 and 2 TDs) more time to get acquainted with their Nashville teammates, while QB Leon Murray (845 passing yards and 12 TDs) and WR/LB Jarrick Hillery (24-204 and 5 TDs) heal.
Patrick Daly has been an Arena Football League enthusiast since he first stumbled across the late-night ESPN broadcasts and has followed the Arizona Rattlers since their inaugural season in 1992. He graduated from Arizona State University with an engineering degree and is currently a member of a web development team for Direct Alliance in Tempe. Patrick currently resides in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona with his beautiful wife, son and a very large football helmet collection.
