Fantasy Rewind for Week 1
COLUMBUS AT NASHVILLE
The Matt Nagy Era has begun in Columbus and the Destroyer faithful have a reason to rejoice. Nagy threw for 245 yards and 7 TDs in a fine display of leadership, showing an instant chemistry with Damien Groce (11 for 121, 3 TDs). Nagy also connected nicely with David Saunders (7 for 42, 2 TDs) and Darcey Levy (3 for 56, 2 TDs), showing he will spread the ball around in the new Destroyer defense. Brandon Hefflin (7 solo tackles) and Jerald Brown (4 tackles, INT) both played well defensively for Columbus
I'm not sure that anyone expected the offensive outburst that came from the Nashville Kats. Clint Stoerner worked hard in the offseason, and it showed in his stats (325 yards and 5 TDs). Stoerner connected often with Alonzo Nix (7 for 105, 1 TD) and Jason Shelley (8 for 98, 1 TD) but neither of those receivers were as much of a surprise as the game had by Cornelius Bonner (8 for 122, 3 TDs). The Kats also showed that they will not be shy in controlling the ball on the ground, as Dan Alexander carried 7 times for 23 yard, scoring three times. Jason Witczak showed he might be worth a roster spot on your fantasy squad, nailing 5 of 6 of his extra point attempts as well as a 57-yard field goal.
ORLANDO AT TAMPA BAY
Shane Stafford returned to Tampa Bay to the uniformity of boos from his former fans and cooly threw for 329 yards and 5 TDs. Stafford staked the Predators to a quick 21-0 lead, throwing TD passes to DeAndrew Rubin (8 for 141, 3 TDs) and Jimmy Fryzel (10 for 107, TD) against what looked like an overmatched (and dare I say, unprepared?) Storm team. Stafford also ran for a TD in the 4th quarter to help seal the win. Javarus Dudley picked up in 2007 with an impressive game, collecting 6 catches for 81 yards, a receiving TD and a rushing TD. Marlon Moye-Moore didn't do much offensively but did post 7 tackles on the defensive side. Lin-J Shell led the Preds with 8 solo stops and should be on someone's fantasy roster.
Not much was expected of John Kaleo in this game and the veteran quarterback did not disappoint, throwing for 289 yards and only 3 TDs (against 2 INTs). Demetris Bendross (10 for 124, 2 TDs) carried the receiving game, with TT Toliver (7 for 96, TD) pitching in some for what looked like a stagnant Storm offense. Free agent acquisition Terrill Shaw was a major disappointment, not earning a starting job and catching only 3 passes for 39 yards. Lawrence Samuels (4 for 30, 3 tackles) had one of his down games, as well, dooming the Storm to a blowout loss. Lynarise Elpheage (7 tackles) and Jeroid Johnson (6 tackles) were busy for Tampa defensively.
GEORGIA AT ARIZONA
The Force headed out to Phoenix to prove that Chris Greisen could play quarterback in the Arena League. Well, consider the mission accomplished, as Griesen threw for 337 yards and 9 TDs in his starting debut. Griesen seems to have some serious chemistry with Troy Bergeron, as the 2005 Rookie of the Year returned to Georgia in a big way, catching 9 passes for 138 yards and 6 TDs. Overshadowed by comparison were Chris Jackson (8 for 95, TD) and Derek Lee (7 for 97, 2 TDs) who both had good games in Arizona. Expect this very strong trio of receivers to alternate being the star from game-to-game, making them all exceptional starts. Free agent defensive specialist Hamin Milligan and newcomer David Crocker tied for the team lead in tackles with seven.
The Rattlers found themselves 17-pts down early in the 2nd quarter and fought back valiantly in their home opener. The veteran leadership of Sherdrick Bonner (361 yards, 8 TDs) and Randy Gatewood (14 for 149, 4 TDs) kept the Rattlers in the game. In the end, they just could not pull even with the Force. Cosmo DeMatteo (13 catches, 171 yards, 3 TDs) played very big for the Rattlers and should find his way into your starting lineup. Jeremiah Pope (3 for 40, TD) got into the game early but then was a no-show and will produce more in coming games. Defensively, Joseph Todd led the Rattlers with 9 solo stops.
NEW ORLEANS AT UTAH
The most exciting game of the opening weekend of the 2007 took place in Utah, where the Blaze and VooDoo put on an offensive performance second to none. Joe Germaine threw for 330 yards and 5 TDs, pushing through a rushing TD too. Siaha Burley (11 for 160, 2 TDs) started out hot and slowed down some as the VooDoo dedicated more pressure on coverage. Free agent acquisition Aaron Boone caught 3 passes for 54 yards and a TD early before twisting his ankle. Five Blaze receivers caught TDs, as the VooDoo and Blaze traded touchdowns until the final seconds, when Steve Videtich squibbed a 23-yd field goal through the uprights for the win. Terrance Joseph had an amazing 11 tackles for the Blaze and should be owned in all leagues.
The New Orleans VooDoo returned to the league after a one year hiatus, and it seemed like 2005 all over again. The VooDoo were instantly competitive, with Andy Kelly throwing for 285 yards and 8 TDs. Whatever is in the New Orleans aura is exactly what Kelly needs to excel. Kelly made stars of Darnell McDonald (12 for 143, 2 TDs), Tyrone Jones (8 for 99, 2 TDs, kickoff return TD) and Kenny Henderson (5 for 43, 4 TDs). Even though the VooDoo ended up on the losing end of the score, this has to be viewed as a highly successful return to the AFL. Alex Wallace posted 8 solo stops for New Orleans.
DALLAS AT NEW YORK
The broadcast season of the AFL on ESPN/ABC started our with by far the stinkiest Arena Football game witnessed in a long time, as the Desperados totally dominated a confused Dragons team. Before giving way to the backups, Clint Dolezel led Dallas to a 53-0 lead, throwing for 249 yards and 7 TDs. Dolezel's connection with Marcus Nash worked to the tune of 10 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs, solidifying Nash as the Free Agent pickup of the year. Will Pettis was his normal amazing self, catching 8 balls for 85 yards and 3 TDs, while making two tackles on defense. Andrae Thurman (5 for 69) added two touchdown catches in junk time.
The Dragon offense looked terrible with Leon Murray (64 passing yards, INT, zero TDs) at the helm and didn't wake up until Rohan Davey stepped behind center. Davey threw for 131 yards and a TD to Mike Horacek (6 for 67) who should see better days when the opponent is not from Dallas. Chris Anthony (6 for 64) and Kevin Swayne (5 for 46) put up minor stats as New York was outplayed, outcoached and outmatched all day long.
CHICAGO AT KANSAS CITY
In one of the bigger surprises of the weekend, Raymond Philyaw led the 2nd year Brigade past the Defending Arena Bowl Champions Chicago. Philyaw threw for only 225 yards and 2 TDs but did alot of damage with his legs, rushing for 46 yards and 2 TDs in helping the Brigade to control the tempo of the game. Kansas City executed their game plan to perfection with the help of Charles Frederick, who rushed for 60 yards and 3 TDs, also chipping in 5 catches for 50 yards. Frederick is an exciting player who should be very sought after on the waiver wires this week. Dawan Moss added 26 yards rushing for the Brigade, giving them an unreal total of 131 as a team. Both of Philyaw's TD passes went to Jerel Myers (8 for 66), while Sam Simmons pitched in with 5 catches for 71 yards.
Chicago was a two-man team, with Matt D'Orazio (250 yards passing, 5 TDs) and Bobby Sippio (8 for 122, 5 TDs) doing all the offensive scoring for the Rush. Sippio made a big impression on the last play of the game, when he fought for yardage and a score even though the game was out of hand. DeJuan Alfonso (5 solo tackles, 12 assists) accounted for the other Rush score when he returned an INT into the endzone. Sadly, Alfonso saw no time on offense, where his speed and hands could have helped the Rush.
GRAND RAPIDS AT COLORADO
In the biggest surprise of the weekend, the Rampage came back and defeated the Crush behind a excellent 2nd half defensive effort. The Rampage outscored the Crush 21-0 in the third quarter on the strength of a Jerome Riley (5 for 63, TD, 3 tackles, INT)INT return and the passing of backup quarterback Matt Sauk. Sauk came on for the injured Chad Salisbury (concussion, 76 passing yards, 2 TDs) and threw for 101 yards and 2 TDs. If Salisbury is injured for any length of time, Sauk makes an excellent waiver wire pickup. Troy Edwards had a successful debut for the Rampage, catching 8 balls for 50 yards with a TD but Timon Marshall had a quiet afternoon, only catching 3 balls for 20 yards (but adding 113 return yards). Brian Gowins had an outstanding afternoon, hitting all 5 of his extra point attempts to go along with 3 field goals (18, 44 and 16 yards). Chuck Wesley had an incredible 12 solo tackles for Grand Rapids.
Getting shut out in the 3rd quarter was just about the last thing the Crush expected from themselves. John Dutton threw for 299 yards and 6 TDs but also threw 2 INTs. Damian Harrell scored in his record 66th consecutive game, finishing with 8 catches for 95 yards and 3 TDs. Willie Quinnie (6 for 63, TD), Robert Redd (7 for 73, TD) and Brad Pyatt ( 6 for 68, TD) were interchangeable parts as the second Crush receiver. Rashad Floyd finished with 9 tackles and 2 assists in his quest to break the tackle record for the 3rd time in four seasons.
LAS VEGAS AT AUSTIN
Adrian McPherson looked like he didn't miss a beat against the Gladiators, showing the skills that helped him win the 2004 Rookie of the Year award. McPherson threw for 205 yards and 5 TDs, rushing for 26 more with another TD. McPherson spread the ball around to all his receivers, with FB Chad Dukes leading the team with 4 catches for 66 yards and a TD. Chris Amey (3 for 70, TD), Kevin Nickerson (3 for 32) and Derrick Lewis (2 for 27, 2 TDs) all benefitted from McPherson's play and the Wranglers were rarely challenged by the Gladiators. Greg Brown (9 tackles) and Nate Coggins (6 tackles, INT) played well defensively, but Damon Mason (2 tackles) disappointed.
Las Vegas was down 26-0 before Shaun King ran in the first of his two rushing TDs. King didn't have a bad day passing but will have to produce more TDs (just one against Austin) to go along with his passing yardage (275 on the day). Etu Molden (10 for 129) and Kevin Prentiss (10 for 100, TD) both had good days while Thabiti Davis (5 for 46) underachieved.
SAN JOSE AT LOS ANGELES
One of the more exciting games took place in Los Angeles, in a rivalry described as the Duke vs UNC of Arena football. Sabercats QB Mark Grieb got off to a good start and finished with 258 yards passing and 6 TDs. Ben Nelson set the Sabercats single game receiving record with 14 catches. Nelson accounted for 180 yards and 4 TDs, while James Roe (4 for 24, TD) was somewhat overlooked. Rodney Wright also had a breakout game, catching 7 passes for 54 yards and 2 TDs, while rushing for 8 yards and 2 more TDs. Matt Kinsinger took over the backfield duties and responded with a score. A.J. Hagland was perfect on his extra point attempts, hitting 9 out of 9 to go along with 2 field goals.
Los Angeles produced some stats too and could have won this game except for a non-call on a pass interference in the endzone (arguably the pass interference call prior to that play was not pass interference since it hit the nets, but who's to say). Sonny Cumbie was magnificent, throwing for 315 yards and 7 TDs, with no interceptions. Lenzie Jackson matched Nelson catch-for-catch, finishing with 13 for 196 yards and 3 TDs. Again, the larger star was overlooked some, but Kevin Ingram still ended up with 7 catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs. Rob Turner showed some promise with 4 catches for 46 yards and a couple of scores.
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