Arena Fantasy Football Preseason Awards, Part I
by Rich Giorgi
It's time again to hand out the Arena Fantasy Football Preseason Awards, mapping out for you who we at Arena Football Online think will be the stars and surprise players of the 2007 AFL season. The only condition is a player can only win in one category, or else we'd be handing Damian Harrell a pack of awards. In the first part of this two-part series, we look at the MVP by Division and position. Part two will focus on some special awards, such as Comeback Player, Most Improved Player, and Bust of the Year.
So without further delay, let's get onto handing out the hardware.
Fantasy Most Valuable Player: Damian Harrell - Colorado Crush
Harrell is the reigning record holder for TDs in a season, set just last year with 61. In the last 4 years, he's totalled 38, 43, 41 and 61 TDs. In 10 of his 16 games last season, the 9-year veteran scored four TDs or more and returns to play with QB John Dutton, who looks for Harrell at all times, in all situations. He's earned the name "The Human Highlight Reel" and is one of the only players in the league guaranteed to single-handledly win you at least 3 or 4 games during the fantasy season. Any owner who calls out his name on draft day is an instant contender. Expect around 130 catches for 1800 yards and 50 TDs.
Western Division Player of the Year: Ben Nelson - San Jose Sabercats
Last year, Nelson came into the San Jose lineup in Week 6 and posted 7 catches for 77 yards and a TD. That was just the warmup as Nelson collected 44 catches for 668 yards and 12 TDs in his next four games. In 11 games in 2006, Nelson averaged 8.5 catches for 127 yards and 2 scores. With a full year under his belt, a rigorous off-season training program, and one of the most prolific Quarterbacks in league history, Nelson should approach Harrell-like numbers this season. Expect around 120 catches for 1700 yards and 40 scores for Ben, and don't be surprised if he surpasses those numbers.
Central Division Player of the Year: Bobby Sippio - Chicago Rush
No player meant more to the Chicago Rush championship march than Bobby Sippio. Sippio came into the Chicago lineup in Week 12, and twice scored 6 TDs in a game down the stretch, becoming the jumper cables to Chicago's dead battery offense. More importantly, Sippio did something his critics said was impossible by winning the trust of his quarterback and the respect of his teammates with his selfless play and team attitude. With a full year, expect Sippio to carry the Rush as far as he can take them on the way to tallying around 100 catches for 1500 yards and 35 TDs.
Eastern Division Player of the Year: Marcus Nash - Dallas Desperados
I know alot of people doubt whether Marcus Nash can return to his '04 and '05 form which saw him terrorize the league for over 1700 yards receiving and 40+ TDs. Have no doubt, with Clint Dolezel at quarterback and playing in a defensively suspect division, Nash's muscle memory will once again remind him that he is dominant. Consider this: without a proven quarterback, fighting injuries and in a sagging offense, Nash still played every game last season, ending up with 122 catches for 1281 yards and 28 TDs. If Nash can do that with Craig Whelihan and Jason Fife at QB, think of what he can do with Dallas. Dolezel made a star of Terrill Shaw, who was much further gone than Nash ever was, so expect a season of 120 catches, 1500 yards and almost 40 TDs for Nash, making him a steal if he drops in your draft beyond Round 2.
Southern Division Player of the Year: Shane Stafford - Orlando Predators
Shane Stafford is gutsy. Moving cross-state from Tampa to Orlando may have done wonders for his portfolio, but stepping back into the Ice Palace in the first week of the season will show that Stafford is made of granite. After throwing for 86 TDs and running for 10 in 2006, Stafford moves to an Orlando team that has very talented receivers. With Fryzel and James and Lee and Dudley and Dell, Stafford should be able to reset his career highs. While you may not be able to expect another 10 running TDs, you can expect around 4800 yards and 90 TDs passing. Stafford will lead the Predators deep into the playoffs and could be the missing link for another ArenaBowl title.
Quarterback of the Year: Matt Nagy - Columbus Destroyers
The Columbus Destroyers have made some great free-agent moves this year, but none will be more important to their success than QB Matt Nagy. Nagy is a proven winner, taking Georgia to the 2005 Arena Bowl while throwing 66 TDs in only 12 games. Nagy followed that up by throwing for 85 TDs in 2006, adding another 5 TDs on the ground. Now Nagy moves to a defensively solid team in Columbus with a young and exciting group of receivers (Josh Hines, Tony Locke, Marcus Knight, David Saunders, Damien Groce). Expect Nagy and his crew to develop chemistry slowly at first and then storm through the league record book, with Nagy making three (and possibly four) of those receivers into 1000 yard, 20+ TD receivers. Do not be surprised at all when Nagy throws for well over 4000 yards and flirts with 100 TD passes this season, making him an amazing pick for a player being roundly overlooked in most drafts.
Wide Receiver of the Year: Aaron Boone - Utah Blaze
With so many wideouts to choose from, we decided to go with potential instead of past performance. Any no other wide receiver personifies potential than Aaron Boone. In 2006, in Kansas City, Boone became a bolt from the blue in Week 10, grabbing 11 balls for 129 yards and 2 TDs. The 6'2" 210 pounder then calmly went on to total 66 catches for 748 yards and 19 TDs in only seven games. Let me repeat, ONLY seven games. Over a full season, that translates to 161 catches for 1824 yards and 46 TDs. Moving onto Utah gives Boone a few distinct advantages this year: he gets to play with a proven quarterback in Joe Germaine and he gets less attention due to the presence of Siaha Burley. Expect 120 catches, 1300 yards and 30 TDs easy from Boone.
Fullback of the Year: Dan Alexander - Nashville Kats
Often described as the best pure runner in the Arena League, Alexander finished 2006 4th in rushing, finishing with 44 carries for 163 yards and 8 TDs. Alexander played in only 9 games last season, sharing time on the active list with Frank Carter and Rupert Grant. Well, Carter is gone this year and the job is Alexander's going into camp. Alexander has also been impressive on the defensive side and will see time there throughout the year. The Kats like to control the game through the run more than most AFL teams, so expect Alexander to approach 200 yards and double-digit TDs this season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Rashad Floyd - Colorado Crush
How Rashad Floyd didn't win Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 is a mystery to me. Floyd led the league in tackles with 119 solo (136.5 total, a new single season record), posted 15 pass breakups and 10 INTs (3rd in the league), returning one for a TD. And all that earned him was being named to the All-Arena Second Team. (SECOND TEAM!!! Someone needs to check those ballots.) The 6th year player is always around the ball and gives you a distinct advantage in the fantasy game, like when he collected 12 solo tackles in Week 7, or 7 tackles and 2 INTs in Week 10, or the time he collected 5 tackles and 3 INTs in Week 11, or 9 tackles and an INT in Week 12 or the 8 tackles and INT returned for a TD in Week 14, the first round of the fantasy playoffs. Floyd easily is head and shoulders above the pack and will lead the league in tackles again, earning him our Pre-season Defensive Player of the Year award.
Kicker of the Year: A.J. Haglund
A nice recipe for success in the kicking game is to take a kicker with indoor experience and put him on one of the highest scoring offenses in the league. That's exactly what's happening this year to A.J. Haglund, who is thanking his lucky stars for landing in San Jose. Haglund put up a nice 146 points last year in af2, is familiar with the tighter posts of the AFL and has an accurate leg. Plus, he looks good in green. Kicking has always been an afterthought in San Jose, but Haglund will make the Sabercats offense that much more potent with his ability to hit from anywhere on the field. Expect A.J. to outkick everyone except Remy Hamilton this season, possibly scoring in the 150s and making every owner who took a chance on him in the late rounds content to never make a kicking change.
Rich Giorgi has been following the Arena Football League for 8 years and participating in arena fantasy leagues for 6 years. His writing also appears on the Arena Football Network. Contact Rich at info@arenafootballonline.com
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