Grieb, Gilliam, Chavez earn Week 5 honors

Tuesday April 12, 2011

Robinson, Goodson, and Griffin also awarded for weekend’s highlights 

TULSA, OKLA. – San Jose QB MARK GRIEB, Kansas City DB SERGIO GILLIAM and Kansas City WR/LB BRADLY CHAVEZ 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 5 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 5 is WR ALVANCE ROBINSON of the Utah Blaze, while the NiFTy Playmaker of the Week is San Jose WR/DB SAMORA GOODSON. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Orlando DL PAUL GRIFFIN.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Grieb (6-2, 200, UC-Davis) completed 25-of-33 passes for 279 yards and six touchdowns in San Jose’s 75-55 victory over Utah. The game was Grieb’s 100th consecutive start and 99th career victory in the Arena Football League.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gilliam (6-3, 195, Clemson) set a Kansas City franchise record with three interceptions in the Command’s 62-48 victory over Iowa. He finished Week 5 with five tackles and one pass breakup.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Chavez (6-2, 220, UAB) made his presence felt in all three phases of the game in the Command’s first victory of the season in Week 5. He had five catches for 72 yards and found the end zone three times in the team’s 62-48 win against Iowa. He added 2.5 tackles on defense and two pass breakups on defense and returned a kick for six yards.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Robinson (5-9, 175, Alabama State) hauled in a 35-yard touchdown grab from QB Tommy Grady in the second quarter of Utah’s 55-75 loss to San Jose in Week 5. Robinson finished the game with 218 all-purpose yards and touchdowns as a receiver and kick returner.
NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Goodson (6-3, 205, Southeast Missouri) recorded a career-high four touchdown catches in the SaberCats 75-55 victory over Utah. He finished the game with 11 catches for 113 yards.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Griffin (6-0, 290, Florida State) made a game-changing interception in Orlando’s 53-46 victory over Philadelphia. Down by one point with 6:42 to play in regulation, Griffin intercepted the Soul’s Ryan Vena. Following the turnover, the Predators took the lead for the first time in the game.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Kansas City’s JJ Raterink and Orlando’s Bobby Sippio.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Philadelphia’s Tanner Varner and San Jose’s George Hypolite.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Philadelphia’s Mike Brown and San Jose’s Chido Nwokocha.

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.