Johnson, Greisen and Varner earn Week 5 honors

Tuesday May 4, 2010

TULSA – Alabama wide receiver CJ JOHNSON, Milwaukee quarterback CHRIS GREISEN and Iowa defensive back TANNER VARNER have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 5 of 2010. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week, and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week Award for Week 5 goes to Utah wide receiver CHRIS FRANCIES, while Tampa Bay’s wide receiver DEANDREW RUBIN has been named the Playmaker of the Week. The highlight of the week award has gone to Cleveland’s wide receiver BRENT HOLMES.

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Johnson (5-10, 185, Tennessee State) did everything he could to get Alabama on the board in their upset win over previously undefeated Milwaukee. Johnson made seven catches for 91 yards on the game, leading the team in both receptions and yards. He also led the team in receiving touchdowns with three. Johnson continued to be a strong presence on kick-offs, returning three for 71 yards. Currently, Johnson leads the league in kick-off return yards with 469. He is averaging 22 yards per carry.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Greisen (6-3, 220, NW Missouri St) continues to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and his Week 5 performace only solidified that standing. Greisen threw 31-of-44 (70%), his second highest completion rate this season, for 366 yards and nine touchdowns. Currently he is averaging 336.5 yards of offense per game, second most in the league. Griesen also has yet to throw an interception in Milwaukee’s four games played so far this season. His nine touchdowns scored versus Alabama tied his season high.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Varner (6-0, 220, UNI) was unstoppable in this weekend’s NFL Network Game of the Week. The defensive back set the tone early, intercepting Orlando’s WB Nick Hill in the first quarter for a seven yard interception return for a touchdown. Varner went on to nab another interception in the first quarter. Overall, Varner tallied 15 tackles (14 unassisted, 2 assisted), a tackle for loss and two passes defended. Varner has made three interceptions so far this season, second most in the league.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Francies (6-2, 205, UTEP) made a very important play for the Utah Blaze this weekend—the catch that officially put the game out of reach for the Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings. Utah QB Brett Elliot found an open Francies in the end zone for a 30 yard touchdown to make the score 36-51 in favor of the Blaze. Bossier-Shreveport was down only 11 points before Francies’ score put them in too deep to make a comeback.

NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME

Rubin (6-0. 185, S. Florida) proved to be a good acquisition for Tampa Bay. Added to the Storm roster late last week, Rubin proved to be an offensive powerhouse in his first game in a Storm jersey. He made nine catches for 184 yards and five touchdowns, propelling Tampa Bay to their second win of the season and Head Coach Tim Marcum’s 200th career victory. Rubin’s final touchdown of the night proved to be the game winner, giving the Storm the 62-61 victory over Arizona after Arizona missed their extra points following their final touchdown.

SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

Holmes (5-11, 170, Texas A&M-Kingsville) made one of the more spectacular plays of both the weekend and the season in Cleveland’s victory over Spokane. All four of Saturday night’s games were won by single digits, most in the final moments of the game, and Holmes kept that trend alive in this match up. Following an Arizona touchdown to put the Rattlers ahead 68-65 with 8.2 seconds remaining in the game, Holmes returned the ensuing kick-off for a touchdown to take a 72-68 lead with 1.6 seconds left in the game. Holmes ended the night with three kick returns for 70 yards.

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included:

Orlando’s Marlon Moye-Moore, Utah’s Brandon Hampton, Dallas’ Duke Pettijohn, Tampa Bay’s James McCoy, Jacksonville’s Jason Perry and Spokane’s Kevin McCullough.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Iowa’s Ryan Vena, Utah’s Brett Elliot, Dallas’ Larry Brackins, Tampa Bay’s DeAndrew Rubin, Jacksonville’s Dallas Baker, and Spokane’s Kyle Rowley.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Utah’s Toure Carter, Dallas’ Chris Brown, Tampa Bay’s Tim McGill, Jacksonville’s Justin Parrish, Alabama’s Vince Hill and Spokane’s Travis Williams

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