Stafford, Unertl and Samuels receive ArenaFan Online Player of the Week Honors
Joe Kauffman
Tuesday February 28, 2006
Offensive Player of the Week: Shane Stafford threw for 424 yards and seven touchdowns on 26-of-41 passing in the Tampa Bay Storm 58-48 win over the previously undefeated Austin Wranglers. Paired with 458 yards passing the previous week, Stafford became the first player in AFL history to pass for 400 or more yards in consecutive games. This is the second consecutive ArenaFan Online Offensive Player of the Week award for Stafford.
Other players considered for the ArenaFan Online Week Five Offensive Player of the Week were Dialleo Burks (Dallas) Matt D'Orazio (Chicago), Joe Germaine (Utah), and Damian Harrell (Colorado).
Defensive Player of the Week: Jeremy Unertl had four total tackles, one pass breakup and two interceptions returned for 21 yards in the Chicago Rush 54-48 overtime win over the San Jose SaberCats. Unertl's second interception came on San Jose's initial possession in the overtime period, picking off a Mark Grieb pass at the Chicago two yard line and returning it 21 yards. The Rush scored on the next play to win the game.
Other players considered for the ArenaFan Online Week Five Defensive Player of the Week were Chris Brown (Georgia), and Dahnel Singfield (New York).
Two-Way Player of the Week: Lawrence Samuels had three receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown on offense, 3.5 otal tackles, one forced fumble and an intercepition returned for 23 yards on defense. Samuels' first catch of the game for 20 yards early in the second quarter moved him past Storm legend Stevie Thomas into first place all-time in receiving yards with the Tampa Bay Storm. Samuels previously earned ArenaFan Online Two-Way Player of the Week honors in Week Three.
Other players considered for the ArenaFan Online Week Five Two-Way Player of the Week were Dialleo Burks (Dallas), Ahmad Hawkins (Colorado), Anthony Herron (Nashville), Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles), and James Roe (San Jose).
2006 ArenaFan Online Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Week
Week 1 – Damian Harrell (OS, Colorado Crush)
Week 2 – Terrell Shaw (OS, Dallas Desperados)
Week 3 – Siaha Burley (OS, Utah Blaze)
Week 4 – Shane Stafford (QB, Tampa Bay Storm)
Week 5 – Shane Stafford (QB, Tampa Bay Storm) (2)
Defensive Player of the Week
Week 1 – Frank Carter (FB/LB, Nashville Kats)
Week 2 – Damon Mason (DS, Austin Wranglers)
Week 3 – Rashad Floyd (WR/DB, Colorado Crush)
Week 4 – Chris Brown (DS, Georgia Force)
Week 5 – Jeremy Unertl (DS, Chicago Rush)
Two-Way Player of the Week
Week 1 – Kevin Ingram (WR/LB, Los Angeles Avengers)
Week 2 – Will Pettis (WR/DB, Dallas Desperados)
Week 3 – Lawrence Samuels (WR/LB, Tampa Bay Storm)
Week 4 – Timon Marshall (WR/DB, Grand Rapids Rampage)
Week 5 – Lawrence Samuels (WR/LB, Tampa Bay Storm) (2)
About ArenaFan Online
ArenaFan Online (http://www.arenafan.com) is the only independent Web site dedicated to covering all of the Arena Football League and arenafootball2. On-line since 1998, the site provides original stories, an interactive section, a thorough statistical database covering the league's 20-year history, and numerous other features.
Joe Kauffman is President and Editor in Chief of Arenafan Online, having joined the staff in 2000. He graduated from Florida State University in 1998 with a degree in communications andbuilds ecommerce sites for a day job. Joe has enjoyed Arena Football since 1991 and has been a member of the Arena Football Internet community since 1995. Prior to Joining Arenafan, he was a co-founder and Technical Editor of the Storm Shelter, which covered the Tampa Bay Storm from 1996-99. Joe and his wife Erika live in Hackettstown, New Jersey with their two daughters.
