Grady, Rayford and Sanders earn Week 9 honors
Tuesday May 10, 2011
Neal, Johnson and Bear also awarded for weekends highlights
TULSA, OKLA. –Utah QB TOMMY GRADY, Utah DL CASEAR RAYFORD, Spokane DB TERRANCE SANDERS have been named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 9 of the 2011 AFL season. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also awarding the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 9 is DB JC NEAL of the Tulsa Talons, while the NiFTy Playmaker of the Week is Georgia WR CJ JOHNSON. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Dallas LB/FB DUSTY BEAR.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grady (6-7, 245, Utah) completed 33 of his 45 passes for 344-yards and 10 touchdowns in the Blaze’s, 74-71, victory over the Georgia Force. Grady sits atop the league in passing average per game (319.1) Going in to Week 10, the Blaze (4-3) have already surpassed their 2010 season mark of two wins.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rayford (6-7, 265, Washington) tallied three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in Utah’s Week 9 victory over the Georgia Force, 74-71. Rayford leads the Blaze in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (5.0).
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Sanders (5-10, 180, Eastern Illinois) began his stellar night returning the first kickoff of the game 57-yards for a touchdown. In the same quarter, Sanders notched his first interception of the season when he picked off Pittsburgh Power QB Bernard Morris. Sanders finished the game with 126 kickoff return yards, one forced fumble and four tackles in a losing cause.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Neal (6-0, 200, North Carolina State) made a show stopping one-handed interception in the Talons upset victory over Chicago Rush, 64-45. The Talons defense forced six Chicago fumbles with Neal causing two of them.
NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Johnson (5-10, 175, Tennessee State) tallied team high 11 receptions for 140-yards and three touchdowns in Georgia’s, 71-74, loss against Utah. Johnson also recorded 179 return yards and scored on 56-yard return in the second quarter.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Bear (6-1, 255, Western Kentucky) made a remarkable, over the wall, interception. Bear deflected an Iowa QB Brad Banks pass and made a leaping interception over the boards and into the stands.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Jacksonville’s Jomo Wilson, Cleveland’s Troy Bergeron, Orlando’s TT Toliver, Tulsa’s Matt Bassuener, Kansas City’s Christian Wise, Pittsburgh’s Bernard Morris, Arizona’s Rod Windsor and Utah’s Aaron Boone.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Spokane’s Terrance Smith, Milwaukee’s Andre Jones, Kansas City’s Travis Coleman, Arizona’s Tyre Glasper, Tulsa’s JC Neal, Kansas City’s Erick Harris, Pittsburgh’s Lonnell Dewalt, and Arizona’s Virgil Gray.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Philadelphia’s Keith Stokes, Cleveland’s Troy Bergeron, Orlando’s Josh Bush, Georgia’s CJ Johnson, Chicago’s Jason Simpson, New Orleans’ Tommy Taggart and San Jose’s Mervin Brookins. .
The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner on Facebook and ArenaFootball.com. Candidates include Orlando QB Nick Hill, Utah QB Tommy Grady and Georgia WR CJ Johnson. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 12, 2011.
About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has afforded the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The NFL Network will once again broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game in August.