Breaking it Down - 2008 Week Nine
Andy Lopusnak
Thursday May 1, 2008
And then there was one. With the Philadelphia Soul beating the Dallas Desperados Monday night, there is only one undefeated team in the league. Find out what this means historically along with many other tantalizing news and notes in this week’s addition of Breaking it Down.
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WEEK NINE RESULTS
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GRAND RAPIDS 72, Kansas City 38
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NEW ORLEANS 70, Utah 56
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Chicago 65, COLORADO 52
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NEW YORK 56, Cleveland 39
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Tampa Bay 48, ORLANDO 41
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ARIZONA 66, Georgia 61
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SAN JOSE 70, Los Angeles 42
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PHILADELPHIA 57, Dallas 28
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BYE: Columbus
WEEK NINE’S EIGHT GAMES FEATURED:
- Eight touchdowns scored on returns: interception (3), kickoff (3) and net recovery (2).
- Two blocked PATs returned for two points (Los Angeles and Philadelphia).
- Four quarterbacks had 300 or more yards passing.
- Nine players had 200 or more all-purpose yards.
- Eleven players had 100 or more yards receiving.
IT’S ALL ABOUT SOUL
Philadelphia treated the Dallas like it was a member of the American Conference absolutely annihilating the Desperados 57-28. At 9-0, Philadelphia is the last undefeated team in the league in 2008. None of the past five teams to be the last undefeated team in a season made it to the ArenaBowl – strange enough that is exactly how long the league has been playing 16 regular season games. Over the past decade, only two teams that were the last undefeated team won the ArenaBowl (listed in chart below). Overall in the league’s previous 21 seasons, the last undefeated team has won the ArenaBowl just four times (the 1989 & 1990 Detroit Drive and the 1995 & 1996 Tampa Bay Storm). Note: the Drive played just four and eight total regular season games in their respective title runs, while the Storm played twelve and fourteen.
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YEAR
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TEAM
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END RESULT
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2008
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Philadelphia (9-0)
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?????
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2007
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Dallas (7-0)
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Lost in quarterfinals to AB runner up
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2006
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Austin (4-0)
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Lost in first round
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2005
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Orlando (3-0)
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Lost in semifinals to AB runner up
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2004
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Chicago (4-0)
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Lost in semifinals to AB champ
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2003
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Orlando (6-0)
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Lost in semifinals to AB champ
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2002
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San Jose (12-0)
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Won ArenaBowl
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2001
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Tampa Bay (7-0)
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Lost in quarterfinals
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2000
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Orlando (7-0)
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Won ArenaBowl
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1999
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Three teams started 2-0
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Two lost in semifinals, one did not make playoffs
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1998
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Nashville (4-0), Arizona (4-0)
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Both lost to AB champ
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SOUL JOIN ELITE COMPANY
In league history, there have been only four teams that have started 9-0 or better and the previous three all went on to the ArenaBowl, but only one won the title.
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STARTED
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TEAM, YEAR
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REG. SEASON RECORD, PLAYOFF RESULT
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12-0
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San Jose, 2002
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13-1, ArenaBowl champions
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11-0
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Orlando, 1994
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11-1, lost ArenaBowl
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9-0
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Philadelphia, 2008
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??????????????
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9-0
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Chicago Bruisers, 1988
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10-1-1, lost ArenaBowl
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CORRALLED
The 57-28 loss to Philadelphia was Dallas’ worst regular season loss during the Clint Dolezel era. Dallas’ previous regular season loss by 20 or more points was against Dolezel when he was with the Las Vegas Gladiators in 2005 (58-38 road loss).
DOWN P.A.T.
Scoring two points on missed, botched or turnover on an extra point is the rarest of points scored in the AFL and it happened twice this past weekend. Both occurred on blocked extra point attempts and were the first PAT returns this season.
TAKE IT ON THE RUN BABY!
There were 163 total rushing yards and four ground scores in the Philadelphia-Dallas game. It is tied for the third most in league history. Philadelphia accounted for 113 of the yards with all three players taking a rushing attempt gaining at least 30 yards (AFL record). In 1994, the Storm and Predators combined for 163 rushing yards. Oddly, Orlando entered the last game of the season at 11-0 before Tampa Bay beat the Predators on a last minute field goal to win 40-39.
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YEAR
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TEAMS
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TOTAL RUSHING YARDS
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1991
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Columbus (128) at Detroit (92)
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220
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1991
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Denver (57) at Columbus (129)
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186
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2008
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Dallas (50) at Philadelphia (113)
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163
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1994
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Orlando (79) at Tampa Bay (84)
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163
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FINALLY!
The Tampa Bay Storm went through the roughest weather in terms of forcing turnovers in league history by going 325 minutes and 36 seconds between forced turnovers. After more than five games without one, Tampa Bay forced five in the 48-41 win over Orlando in the 42nd meeting of the War on I-4.
HEXED?
The New Orleans VooDoo has intercepted its opponents 23 times in the league’s first nine games, which is the second most in league history at this point in any season. Strangely, none of the previous top seven teams to have the most INTs through nine games won or even made it to the ArenaBowl.
MOST INTERCEPTIONS IN FIRST NINE GAMES OF A SEASON
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YEAR
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TEAMS
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TOTAL INTs
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1992
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24
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2008
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New Orleans VooDoo
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23
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Six others with
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19
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FUZZY MATH?
On Wednesday, the AFL announced its monthly individual award winners and found a few choices odd. New York QB Aaron Garcia and Tampa Bay FB/LB Torrance Marshall, respectively, earned Offensive Player and Ironman of the Month honors, though neither received a single weekly award during the month of April (or March for that matter). Both have received weekly honors via this weekly article this season though. Garcia and Marshall were very deserving of the honors, but without even earning a weekly honor seemed very interesting. It kind of reminds me of when former Arizona Rattlers great Hunkie Cooper was named Ironman of the Year in 1999 but didn’t get named First Team All-Arena or when Grand Rapids kicker Brian Gowins was named 2001 Kicker of the Year, but was selected to Second Team All-Arena that season. Something just doesn’t add up.
NOTHING BUT NET
Saturday night, San Jose kicker A.J. Haglund became the club’s all-time leader in field goals made in just his 25th game with the SaberCats. He has 27 made field goals (previous record was 25). To showcase how little the SaberCats actually kick field goals, there have been six times in league history that a kicker has made at least 25 field goals in a single season (none of the kickers to do so were on teams that even came close to appearing let alone win an ArenaBowl like Haglund did last year). Haglund is on pace for 31 field goals, which would be the second-most in AFL history (32 by Daron Alcorn in 1999 with Portland). On Wednesday, the AFL announced that Haglund was named the Kicker of the Month for the second straight month.
KING OF THE WEST
The San Jose SaberCats tied the AFL mark for consecutive wins over division opponents Saturday night with a 70-42 victory over Los Angeles. It tied Tampa Bay (1995-96) and Iowa (1996-97) for the most with 14. Both Tampa Bay and Iowa went to the ArenaBowl in both years during their respective streaks. The Storm won both, while the Barnstormers lost both.
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
Tampa Bay WR/LB Lawrence Samuels earned Ironman of the Game (and AFL Ironman of the Week) honors in the Storm’s 48-41 win at Orlando. The 38-year old (Happy Birthday Law-Dog today) caught five balls for 45 yards with a touchdown on offense, then added two assisted tackles and an eight-yard interception return for a touchdown. In his 15-year career, Samuels ranks third all-time in receptions (951) and receiving yards (11,047); fifth in interceptions returned for touchdowns (eight) and forced fumbles (20); sixth in tackles (463.0); and is the league’s all-time leader in fumble recoveries (34), fumble return yards (101) and most seasons with the same team (14). Not bad for a guy that played third fiddle to two of the league’s greatest players (Lawrence Samuels and Stevie Thomas) for his first six AFL seasons. Also, with a catch on Monday against Chicago, Samuels will tie the AFL mark for the consecutive games with a catch (Corey Fleming, 128).
MOVIN’ ON UP THE CHARTS
Of note, two San Jose SaberCats players climbed the AFL’s all-time charts in the team’s 70-42 win over Los Angeles.
- San Jose WR James Roe moved past Randy Gatewood for eighth in AFL history in touchdown receptions (215).
- San Jose DB Clevan Thomas is now tied with Mark Ricks (44) for the fourth most career interceptions. Thomas also recorded his 100th career pass breakup.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
The Arizona Rattlers scored touchdowns on their first three offensive plays for the first time in team history. QB Lang Campbell tossed three touchdowns to three different receivers to give the Rattlers an early 21-7 lead that helped the team break even after eight games and beat the Georgia Force 66-61. The victory matches Arizona’s win total from last season
HUEY MAKES SOME NEWS
Utah receiver Huey Whittaker tied the AFL record for receptions in a game with 20 catches during the Blaze’s 70-56 home loss to New Orleans. He shares the record with AFL Hall of Famer Dwayne Dixon, who reached the mark during the league’s inaugural season in 1987 while a member of the Washington Commandos. Whittaker also became the first player in league history to have 20 receptions for at least 200 yards as he topped 208 with two touchdowns. He also had a rushing score in the game.
WEEKLY PLAYOFF UPDATE
The American Conference is sad. It’s amazing that the 3-5 Rampage would host a home game, while the 3-5 Storm would be home for the playoffs if it started today. Again, the Nationals are strong with all eight would-be playoff teams having non-losing records. On the American side, only the two division leaders (Rush and SaberCats) have winning records, while the Rattlers are at .500.
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NATIONAL CONFERENCE
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AMERICAN CONFERENCE
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SEED
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TEAM
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RECORD
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SEED
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TEAM
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RECORD
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1
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Philadelphia
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9-0
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1
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Chicago
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7-2
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2
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New Orleans
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7-2
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2
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San Jose
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5-4
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3
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Dallas
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7-1
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3
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Arizona
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4-4
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4
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Orlando
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6-3
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4
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Grand Rapids
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3-5
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5
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New York
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5-4
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5
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Colorado
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3-5
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6
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Cleveland
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4-4
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6
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Los Angeles
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3-6
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WEEK NINE’S TOP STATISTICAL PREFORMANCES
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100-YARD RECEIVERS
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PLAYER, TEAM
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RECEIVING YARDS
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RECEPTIONS
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TOUCHDOWNS
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J.R. Tolver, LAA
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122
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11
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0
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Rodney Wright, SJS
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110
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9
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2
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Damien Groce, GEO
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129
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11
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1
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Chas Gessner, ORL
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110
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11
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2
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Robert Redd, CLE
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101
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8
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2
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Jason Willis, NY
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158
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12
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2
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Chad Owens, COL
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115
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12
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2
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Huey Whittaker, UTAH
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208
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20
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2
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Jerel Myers, KC
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115
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10
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1
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Ces’are Manning, KC
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108
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8
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1
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Will Pettis, DAL
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133
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10
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2
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300-YARD PASSERS
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PLAYER, TEAM
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PASSING YARDS
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PASS TDs
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INTERCEPTIONS
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Chris Greisen, GEO
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383
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7
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2
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John Dutton, COL
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331
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7
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2
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Joe Germaine, UTAH
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389
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6
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2
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D. Bryant, KC
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300
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3
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3
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200 YARDS OR MORE ALL-PURPOSE
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PLAYER, TEAM
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ALL-PURPOSE
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TOTAL TDs
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Timon Marshall, LAA
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236
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2
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Rodney Wright, SJS
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230
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3
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Damien Groce, GEO
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206
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1
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Trandon Harvey, AZ
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254
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3
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T.T. Toliver, ORL
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200
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2
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Chad Owens, COL
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222
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2
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Huey Whittaker, UTAH
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210
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3
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Jerel Myers, KB
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202
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1
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Will Pettis, DAL
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256
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2
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DEFENSIVE LEADERS
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PLAYER, TEAM
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TACKLES
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INT
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SACKS
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FF
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FR
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PBU
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DEF TD
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Omarr Smith, SJS
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9.5
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1
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0.0
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0
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0
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3
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0
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Clevan Thomas, SJS
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5.0
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1
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0.0
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0
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0
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3
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1
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Isaiah Trufant, AZ
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9.0
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0
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0.0
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0
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0
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1
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0
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Traco Rachal, TB
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12.0
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0
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0.0
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1
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1
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0
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0
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Idris Price, NY
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3.0
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0
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2.0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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Dennison Robinson, CHI
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4.5
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1
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0.0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Keon Raymond, NO
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11.5
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0
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0.0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Norman LeJeune, NO
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7.0
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1
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1.0
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1
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0
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1
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0
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Chris Avery, KC
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4.0
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0
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1.5
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Michael McFadden, GR
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4.5
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0
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3.0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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Eddie Moten, PHI
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9.5
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3
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0.0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Utah receiver Huey Whittaker caught twenty, yes 20, passes for 208 yards with two touchdowns in a losing effort. He also had a rushing touchdown in the game. He is the first player in league history to record 20 catches and 200 receiving yards in the same game.
HONORABLE MENTION: Philadelphia QB Matt D’Orazio completed 20-of-29 for 194 yards with six touchdowns and an interception in the Soul’s 57-28 thumping of Dallas. He also added 35 rushing yards and two ground scores.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grand Rapids defensive lineman/linebacker Michael McFadden posted 3.0 sacks, 4.5 tackles (4.0 of which were for loss), four QB hurries and a forced fumble in the Rampage’s72-38 win over Kansas City. His first sack was on the first play from scrimmage
HONORABLE MENTION: New Orleans linebacker Norman LeJeune posted 7.0 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and an interception during the VooDoo’s 70-56 win over Utah.
IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Tampa Bay WR/LB Lawrence Samuels caught five balls for 45 yards with a touchdown on offense, then added two assisted tackles and an eight-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Storm’s 48-41 win at Orlando.
HONORABLE MENTION: Tampa Bay FB/LB Torrance Marshall had 24 rushing yards and two touchdowns, along with two receptions for 27 yards on offense, then added 2.5 stops in the Storm’s 48-41 win at Orlando.
Andy Lopusnak is an 11-year AFL front office veteran, spending time with the Tampa Bay Storm, San Diego Riptide and Grand Rapids Rampage. He works as a statistician for NFL and college sports for CBS Sports and is a freelance photographer. Lopusnak received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of South Florida and has been a fan of ArenaBall since its inception.
