Breaking it Down – 2008 Divisional Round
Andy Lopusnak
Wednesday July 9, 2008
On Saturday, all was right in the AFL – both home playoff teams (San Jose & Philadelphia) advanced to the conference title game. Everything was set to have the top two seeds from each conference make it to the semifinals for the first time since 2003. However, the two final Wild Card teams (Grand Rapids & Cleveland) couldn’t be denied and now it’s down to San Jose, Grand Rapids, Philadelphia and Cleveland. One of these teams will be hoisting the ArenaBowl trophy at the end of this month. In this week’s edition of Breaking it Down, there will be lots of history, some firsts and statistical breakdowns for the upcoming Conference Championships.
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DIVISIONAL ROUND RESULTS
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SAN JOSE 64, Colorado 51
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PHILADELPHIA 49, New York 48
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Grand Rapids 58, CHICAGO 41
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Cleveland 73, GEORGIA 70
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THIS WEEKEND’S FOUR PLAYOFF GAMES FEATURED:
- Three touchdowns scored on returns: one kickoff, one interception and one net recovery.
- Two safeties (in the same game).
- Two players had 200 or more all-purpose yards.
- Four quarterbacks had 300 or more yards passing.
- Eleven players had 100 or more yards receiving.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
The road teams are 5-3 in this year’s playoffs so far. Since the ArenaBowl is a neutral site, if Cleveland and Grand Rapids advance to the title game, the seven road wins would be the most in league history in the playoffs, surpassing the six recorded in the 2006 playoffs. That year, was the last time that the road teams both won in the semifinals. The home teams both have won in the same year for the semifinals nine times (2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1996, 1992, 1990 and 1988).
MOST PLAYOFF ROAD WINS (NOT INCLUDING ARENABOWL)
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YEAR
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RECORD
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2006
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6-4
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2008
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5-3*
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2007
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4-6
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2003
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4-6
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2002
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3-7
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2000
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3-3
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1995
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3-3
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* does not include Conference Championships
INSTANT REPLAY UPDATE
Through two weeks, the AFL’s instant replay system has had some successes, but a controversial ending of the New York-Philadelphia game brought up some issues – such as the need for camera angles exactly on the goal line to ensure complete coverage for potential fumble on the goal line and if players are actually in the end zone. So far through eight playoff games, instant replay has been used a total of nine times – six by teams, three by officials. Only one play has been reversed.
MORE ON SOUL-DRAGONS ENDING
After the Soul scored the game-winning touchdown, the team did not attempt an extra point, which the league said in a press release, is in the AFL rules and should have been attempted. If this happens again in the playoffs or in the regular season with no time remaining, this is what you will see in my opinion, the kicking team should line up for a two-point conversion, but in the typical NFL formation to down the ball to run out the clock, then just take a knee to ensure the defense does not get a takeaway and return it for two points to win the game.
TEAMS WITH LOSING RECORD TO WIN TWO PLAYOFF GAMES
The Rampage became just the third team in league history to win at least two playoff games after finishing the regular season with a sub. 500 record. All three of these teams have come in the last three seasons and all three played San Jose at some point in the playoffs. In 2006, the Chicago Rush beat San Jose in the American Conference finals to advance and eventually win the ArenaBowl. Last year, Columbus represented the National Conference in the ArenaBowl, where it lost to the SaberCats. Grand Rapids travels to San Jose this Saturday for the American Conference finals.
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TEAM, YEAR
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REGULAR SEASON RECORD
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PLAYOFF RECORD
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FINAL RESULT
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Grand Rapids, 2008
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6-10
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2-0
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???
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Columbus, 2007
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7-9
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3-1
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ArenaBowl runner-up
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Chicago, 2006
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7-9
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4-0
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ArenaBowl champions
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THE WAY THROUGH SAN JOSE (TO THE ARENABOWL)
For the third-straight season, the American Conference title game has been played in San Jose with the SaberCats coming out victorious last season and losing to Chicago in 2006. Overall, San Jose has played in the semifinals (now known as the Conference Championships) seven of the last eight seasons with the SaberCats winning three times and eventually winning the ArenaBowl after those wins. San Jose has now hosted the semifinals a league-record seven times, winning three of the previous six semifinals. NOTE: For the first ArenaBowl, the only playoff game was the ArenaBowl and from 1988-91, the AFL had four teams make the playoffs, so all playoff teams made it to the semifinals.
MOST SEMIFINALS APPEARANCES
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TEAM
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APPEARANCES
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RECORD
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12
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7-5
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10
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5-5
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San Jose SaberCats
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8
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3-4
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8
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6-2
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6
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6-0
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Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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6
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1-5
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MOST SEMIFINALS HOSTED
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TEAM
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HOSTED
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RECORD
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San Jose SaberCats
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7
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3-3
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Detroit Drive
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6
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6-0
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Tampa Bay Storm
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5
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5-0
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Orlando Predators
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4
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3-1
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4
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2-2
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NEW COACHES IN FIRST YEAR WITH TEAM IN SEMIFINALS
Grand Rapids head coach Steve Thonn and Cleveland’s Mike Wilpolt became the eleventh and twelfth coach in AFL history to take their team to the semifinals of the playoffs in their first year with that team since the league went to three rounds of playoffs in 1992. It is the first time since 1995 that two first-year head coaches took their respective teams this far. Of the ten previous coaches to do so, just three won the game and the right to play in the ArenaBowl – only two of those won the ArenaBowl – Gruden and Marcum. Interestingly, six of these elite eleven were rookie head coaches in the AFL. NOTE: For the first ArenaBowl, the only playoff game was the ArenaBowl and from 1988-91, the AFL had four teams make the playoffs, so all playoff teams made it to the semifinals.
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COACH, TEAM
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YEAR
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RESULT
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Mike Wilpolt, Cleveland
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2008
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????
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Steve Thonn, Grand Rapids
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2008
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????
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Doug Plank, Georgia*
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2005
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WON
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Mike Dailey, Colorado
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2004
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LOST
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Fran Papasedero, Orlando*
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2002
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LOST
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Jay Gruden, Orlando*
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1998
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WON
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Tim Marcum, Tampa Bay
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1995
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WON
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John Gregory, Iowa*
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1995
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LOST
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Mike Hohensee, Albany
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1993
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LOST
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Don Strock, Massachusetts
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1993
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LOST
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John Paul Young, Dallas*
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1992
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LOST
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Lary Kuharich, Tampa Bay*
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1992
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LOST
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* - indicates rookie head coach
GOOD TO BE THE KING?
The Soul finished the regular season with the best overall record in the league. In AFL history, the overall regular season champ went on to the championship 15 of the previous 21 seasons. A good sign for Philadelphia, however, the last two teams with the best overall record did not advance to the ArenaBowl. Additionally, there have been nine teams with the best overall record to make it to the ArenaBowl only to lose the game – eight of those games were home contests. Since conference title games began in 2005, the top-seeded conference team has advanced to the ArenaBowl just twice of the possible six outcomes: San Jose, 2007 American (won AB); Georgia, 2005 National (Lost AB). Can the Soul join this seemingly elite company?
BEST RECORD NOT TO MAKE ARENABOWL
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YEAR
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TEAM
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2007
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Dallas
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2006
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Dallas
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2003
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San Jose
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2000
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San Jose
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1999
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Tampa Bay
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BEST RECORD TO MAKE ARENABOWL BUT NOT WIN
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YEAR
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TEAM
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2005
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Georgia
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1998
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Tampa Bay
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1996
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Iowa
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1994
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Orlando
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1993
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Detroit
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1992
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Orlando
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1991
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Detroit
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1988
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Chicago
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1987
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Pittsburgh
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DIVISION TITLE NOT REQUIRED
If Grand Rapids and Cleveland meet in the ArenaBowl, it will mark the first time in league history that two teams that did not win their division or conference in the regular season to make it to the ArenaBowl. A team that did not win its division has gone to the ArenaBowl eleven times since the league began divisional/conference play in 1992 and went on to win the championship five times. NOTE: the AFL had no divisions or conferences from 1987-91, then had three divisions in 1992, then had two conferences (though they meant nothing in the postseason) from 1993-94 before going to the four divisions that are used today in 1995.
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TEAM
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YEAR
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RESULT
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Columbus
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2007
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Lost AB
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Chicago
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2006
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Won AB
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San Jose
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2004
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Won AB
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Arizona
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2003
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Lost AB
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Arizona
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2002
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Lost AB
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Nashville
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2000
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Lost AB
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Orlando
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1999
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Lost AB
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Orlando
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1998
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Won AB
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Orlando
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1995
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Lost AB
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Arizona
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1994
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Won AB
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Tampa Bay
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1993
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Won AB
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DROP KICK NOTHING NEW FOR CLEVELAND (OR BRIAN PARTLOW)
Cleveland attempted the first drop kick in the history of the AFL’s playoffs and first overall sine June 2, 2007 when Mark Lewis attempted one with Austin against New York (though the officials ruled it a field goal attempt according to the official stats). Gladiators’ kicker Jason Ball attempted a 51-yard attempt as a squib kick to fool the Force’s offense. It worked and Cleveland recovered the loose ball and scored a touchdown two plays later. Interestingly, the pioneer of the drop kick in the AFL was Brian Mitchell, who made six drop kick field goals in 1994 while a member of the Cleveland Thunderbolts. Mitchell has seven of the eight drop-kick field goals made in league history. Using this technique is nothing new to Cleveland offensive coordinator Brian Partlow used it last year as the head coach of the Austin Wranglers. The AFL outlawed certain formations that Partlow used and this one was also a bit controversial as Ball rolled out and almost punted the ball. Expect the AFL to make another “Partlow rule change” in the offseason regarding drop kick formations. There has not been a made drop-kick field goal in the AFL since 1996 when St. Louis’ Tom Whelihan did it against Milwaukee.
NON-PLAYOFF NEWS UPDATES
- The Utah Blaze didn’t waste anytime to name its second head coach after the legendary Danny White quit last week. On Wednesday, Blaze defensive coordinator Ron James was named head coach. Picking defensive coaches as head coaches is becoming all the rage – three of the four head coaches in this weekend’s Conference Championships are defensive-minded coaches (Arbet, Munsey and Wilpolt). James’s defense this season with the 6-10 Blaze ranked dead last in interceptions and third-down conversions, while allowing the third most points in the league.
- It was announced that the New York Dragons will be sold, pending AFL approval, to a New York investment group that will keep the team in Long Island and continue to be named the Dragons.
DIVISIONAL ROUND 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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Troy Bergeron, GEO
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178
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14
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4
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Kenny Higgins, GR
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167
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14
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3
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Kevin Swayne, NY
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166
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14
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5
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Ben Nelson, COL
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136
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14
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4
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Otis Amey, CLE
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130
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6
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3
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Chris Jackson, PHI
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122
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8
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4
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Wendall Williams, COL
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119
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11
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1
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Cole Magner, CHI
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117
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15
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2
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Rodney Wright, SJ
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116
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9
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2
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Travis LaTendressee, CHI
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115
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7
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3
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Terry Moss, NY
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111
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12
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0
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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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John Dutton, COL
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369
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7
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2
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Chris Greisen, GEO
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343
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8
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0
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Aaron Garcia, NY
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337
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5
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1
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James MacPherson, GR
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326
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6
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1
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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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TDs
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Wendall Williams, COL
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226
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1
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Troy Bergeron, GEO
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217
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4
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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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Clevan Thomas, SJ
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11.0
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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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1
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0
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Omarr Smith, SJ
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10.5
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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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4
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0
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Marquis Floyd, SJ
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6.0
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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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1
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1
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Jeremy Unertl, CHI
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10.5
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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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Alex Teems, CLE
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7.5
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1
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0.0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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Will Thompson, GEO
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3.5
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0
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1.0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grand Rapids quarterback James MacPherson led his Rampage to a stunning 58-41 win over the American Conference’s top-seeded Chicago Rush after completing a playoff-record 84.6% of his passes (33-of-39) for 326 yards with six touchdowns and an interception.
HONORABLE MENTION: In a losing effort, New York receiver Kevin Swayne caught 14 passes for 166 yards with five touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
San Jose defensive back Marquis Floyd made a key interception that helped his SaberCats to victory in the divisional round. Floyd’s pick of John Dutton in the fourth quarter and consequential 47-yard return for a touchdown left the SaberCats to a 64-51 win. He also had 6.0 stops and a pass breakup on third down.
HONORABLE MENTION: Philadelphia defensive lineman Gabe Nyenhuis, maybe feeling slighted for not earning AFL Lineman of the Year, proved his worth in the Soul’s 49-48 win over New York. He set the tone early in the contest with a sack resulting in a safety then finished with 2.5 stops.
IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Cleveland FB/LB Joshua Rue had two rushing touchdowns (on five rushes for 19 yards); a nine-yard reception and a goal-line tackle on defense in the Gladiators’ 73-30 win over Georgia.
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.
