Siaha Burley: The AFO Interview
by Richard Giorgi
While attending ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans at the end of the 2007 season, I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with the 2007 AFL Offensive Player of the Year, Siaha Burley. Burley was coming off a record season, heading into free-agency and was considering offers from several teams. Burley took some time out from his busy schedule to talk with us at ArenaFootballOnline.com about his season, the state of fantasy sports and his future plans.
Burley will be playing in Arizona for 2008 with a new quarterback. But don't let that make you hesitate from drafting Burley early in the draft if you're lucky enough to get the chance.
AFO: First, I'd like to congratulate you on your Offensive Player of the Year award. You had some stiff competition from other players in the league, like Chris Greisen, Bobby Sippio and even your own quarterback (Joe Germaine)... why do you think the voters recognized you above those players?
SB: It's hard to say why they voted me Offensive Player of the Year. Of course, I have no way of knowing for sure why I was chosen over the other great players in the league, but if I were to guess, I'd say there were a couple of factors. First, I have good teammates who helped me succeed and Coach White fed me the ball more that he had in the past. Normally he likes to spread the ball around but just that slight shift in his coaching philosophy gave me more opportunities last season. Second, I had a good quarterback in Joe Germaine. But he isn't a seasoned veteran like Mark Grieb or Clint Dolezel, so playing with a developing quarterback may have been a factor. Third, I faced alot of zone defenses and still had good success. So, while alot of other receivers face more man-to-man, I had to show more patience in facing the zones.
I worked real hard to be a skilled route runner since early in my career, mainly because I can't just rely on physical attributes alone. I think the defensive coordinators tried to use the zone to slow me down but I overcame it and maybe the voters thought about that too. Alot of what I do on the field goes unnoticed to the fan in the stands, but I think the players, coaches and writers noticed that hard work and honored me with the award.
AFO: Going into last season you were ranked 3rd in our Top 100 list for fantasy players and were actually drafted 2nd in many drafts after Damian Harrell... how does it feel to be rated that highly among the writers and fans of Arena Fantasy Football?
SB: Really? That feels great. There are alot of players who put up big numbers, so I'm honored to even be picked that high. It's a feather in my cap for sure, especially to be picked ahead of the quarterbacks. That surprises me.
I've known that people play Arena Fantasy Football for a few years now. Last year I did go on the site to see what the rankings were for the players, just for fun. But once the season starts I'm less worried about the rankings and more worried about scoring points and winning football games.
AFO: Do you think that fantasy football is a good way to build a fan base for the league? Do you think people get more interested in the players (and know more about them) when they participate in fantasy sports?
SB: Definitely. After TV and the video game, fantasy football is one of the Top 3 ways to build the fan base for the league. The TV is limited because people actually have to watch the games. The video game takes players to another generation. But with fantasy the casual fan looks at the players and the stats and watches his players more intently, so yeah, I think it's an excellent way to introduce more fans to Arena Football. I'm just starting my second season in an NFL league, and let me tell you I'm much more interested in the players than I ever was before I started playing fantasy football.
AFO: Have you ever had anyone come up to you and comment on how you won them a fantasy game? Or congratulated you on winning them a league title? Does that ever cross your mind while you're on the field?
SB: Yeah, a few years back when I was playing for Arizona a fan came up to me after a game and said "Oh Siaha, you're on my fantasy team and you give me such big numbers every week." That was the year I scored 45 TDs and led the league in scoring, but it was definitely not expected. All I remember thinking was that she probably got me for cheap later in the draft and she had better have picked me up earlier the next year.
AFO: Does that ever cross your mind while you're on the field?
SB: Does it ever cross my mind? Well, it crossed my mind when I first learned people were playing Arena Fantasy Football. I'd think that in order to keep among the top scorers and keep my owners happy that I'd better get at least 150 yards and 3 TDs per game. I calculated how well I'd have to do, because I really wanted to be among the top scorers. So, yeah, I've thought about it, but once you're on the field it's all about winning.
AFO: If you were drafting an Arena Fantasy Team for next season, where would you pick yourself? Who would be your choice of quarterback if you were a fantasy owner?
SB: Ha. I would definitely pick myself #1 overall, if I could get myself that is. I know I can stay healthy over the years because I work hard to avoid big hits and put up numbers each game. Harrell and Sippio would make excellent choices too because they work with offensive coordinators who funnel the offense through them at their positions. So I'd look at the offensive coordinators for sure, but where would I be confidence-wise if I didn't pick myself #1 overall? People should definitely get me if they have the chance.
AFO: Who would be your choice of quarterback if you were an Arena fantasy owner?
SB: Well quarterback depends a lot on the personel they have on the team, the receivers they're working with. But my top pick for a fantasy team would be Aaron Garcia because when he's healthy he puts up phenomenal numbers. See, I'd look at the offenses and take a quarterback from a weaker running team because what I want is passing TDs. Dallas runs real well with that big man they have there (Josh White) and is a great all-around team, so Dolezel would drop just a little in my book. Joe Germaine would make an excellent pick for sure, since the Blaze offense is one of the best in the league and we had no running game to speak of. Chris Greisen and Georgia throw alot too with very little running, so any of those guys would be a starter for my team. And then you have Mark Grieb, who is just one of the best in the league and is so consistent. It would be a tough choice, for sure, but I'd have to take Garcia given the chance.
AFO: What receivers do you admire in the league? Have any of them helped you with your development?
SB: I respect alot of the receivers in this league. You have to respect Chris Jackson for his consistency and Damian Harrell and Bobby Sippio for using their abilities to their full advantage. They're all big guys who can get open just using their strength. Randy Gatewood is another receiver who doesn't always get the credit he deserves for being such a great player. Then you have some of the younger guys and guys like Damien Groce and Anthony Hines who are solid WRs who just don't get the credit they deserve.
AFO: Which defender in the league is the toughest for you to get open against?
SB: Well, I think I can get open against any of them but being that I play against him twice a year, I'd have to say Clevan Thomas. He's a real battler and the best jam man at the line in the entire league. He's definitely one of the toughest I've ever faced but I thrive against man-to-man defenses and that confidence leads to success. I win some and Clevan wins some but really I think Coach White's philosophy on how he uses me is the real key.
AFO: I don't remember you having an off game all season long... what made you so consistent? How will you keep that consistency going into next season?
SB: Staying healthy and fighting through minor injuries. My competitiveness is what makes me get out there every week and play despite feeling sore sometimes. That's what you do when you're a competitor. Also, having Joe Germaine healthy all year was a major factor along with the injuries around me that gave me more opportunities. I was getting fed the ball and Coach White trusted me to carry the receiving game when people started going down with injuries.
AFO: The Blaze and their fan club are among our favorites here at ArenaFootballOnline... do you have much interaction with Blaze Nation? Is their support important to the players and coaches?
SB: It's definitely good to have their support and feel appreciated, especially by the ones who travel to the away games. When you're on the field and you see a familiar face in the crowd, you just naturally feed off of it.
AFO: You're going into your 8th season in the AFL... what difference do you notice between the league now and the league when you came into it?
SB: Honestly, when I first came into the league I didn't respect the talent on the field, especially those lined up against me defensively. But it's gotten better and better every season. The players are so much tougher now then when I first joined the AFL. Now the guys I run routes against are so much more athletic. They have size, speed, and strength. Most of the players in the AFL now would be great in the NFL.
AFO: How much longer do you think you'll play?
SB: Well, none of us knows how long our health will hold out. You have to listen to your body when the times comes to leave the game. But for now I've avoided anything major, luckily enough, and I figure I have another good 4 to 6 years left in me. My mind may go before my body does.
I have a strong will to win but I haven't got size like Bobby Sippio or Terrell Owens does. So I use my work ethic and I study the game. I haven't lost my will to play the game, so it's just a matter of how long I'll keep the drive. I won't play with half desire, that's for sure. I'm starting to realize as I age that I have to maintain my shape all year round, so I run alot in the offseason. I can't afford to come to camp in bad shape, so I don't. But if I ever do lose that desire to be a player, I would love to give coaching a shot.
Rich Giorgi has been following the Arena Football League and participating in arena fantasy leagues since 2000. He is also a member of the Arena Football League Writer's Association. Contact Rich at info@arenafootballonline.com
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