2003 AFL Preview
Are you ready for some (more) football?

02.01.03 - Sorry football widows...we're just getting started.

The Arena Football League has kicked off its 17^th and perhaps most promising and exciting season in history.

The following is a look at each of the divisions heading into the 2003 campaign:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE - WESTERN DIVISION

San Jose SaberCats

One team certain to be competitive in 2003 is the defending ArenaBowl Champion San Jose SaberCats.

Under Head Coach Darren Arbet, the SaberCats have a 35-7 (.833) regular-season record over the past three seasons, unquestionably the best in the AFL.

The team won its first ArenaBowl in 2002 with a decisive 52-14 victory over division-rival Arizona, despite losing the League's 2002 Offensive Player of the Year, QB Mark Grieb, to an injury against those same Rattlers in Week 13. Grieb has regained his health and is ready to lead the SaberCats on their quest to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Tampa Bay Storm in 1995-96.

SaberCats WR/LB Barry Wagner can set a number of AFL records and milestones in 2003. He needs one rushing touchdown to become the first player in League history to reach 90 career and 49.0 tackles to become the first player to reach 600. Wagner is already the all-time record holder in both categories. He also ranks second all-time in career interceptions with 40 and needs 11 to pass Durwood Rowuemore (50) for first all-time.

Arizona Rattlers

Under Head Coach Danny White, Arizona has made 10 consecutive playoff appearances, but has also finished second to San Jose for three consecutive seasons and lost to the SaberCats, 52-14, in last year's ArenaBowl.

Stalwarts QB Sherdrick Bonner, FB/LB Bo Kelly and WR/LB Hunkie Cooper return in hopes of overtaking San Jose in the division. Cooper needs one kickoff return to become the League's all-time leader, breaking a tie with George LaFrance (460).

 

Los Angeles Avengers

On the strength of a record-setting offense, Los Angeles took a major step forward in 2002 with the team's first-ever playoff appearance.

The Avengers return the offensive powerhouse trio of QB Tony Graziani, OS Chris Jackson and 2002 Ironman of the Year WR/LB Greg Hopkins. The wide-receiver duo of Jackson and Hopkins was the most potent in League history, accounting for 187 receptions, 2,490 receiving yards and 57 receiving touchdowns.

 

Colorado Crush

Expansion Colorado is co-owned by NFL legend John Elway, who is a renowned competitor and has vowed to make the team competitive on the field immediately.

The Crush got off to a good start in November by signing free-agent QB and ArenaBowl XVI MVP John Dutton away from division-rival San Jose.

With its first pick in the 2003 Expansion Draft, Colorado chose OS Joe Douglass, who totaled 99 receptions for 1,287 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns with the Chicago Rush in 2001. He missed most of 2002 with an injury. Dutton and Douglass give Colorado a strong nucleus to compete right away.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION

Chicago Rush

In just their second season, the Chicago Rush won the Central Division and advanced to the League Semifinals.  Entering year three, the Rush look to take the next step and bring an ArenaBowl title to Chicago.

Led by head coach Mike Hohensee, the Rush has posted an impressive 12-3 all-time mark at the Allstate Arena, including last season's 60-47 second-round playoff win over the Dallas Desperados.

Quarterback Billy Dicken is back under center after leading the League's No. 3 scoring offense with over 3,500 yards passing and 74 touchdowns in 2002. Former Ironman of the Year Dameon Porter is in pursuit of his third straight double-digit interception season.

 

Dallas Desperados

In their inaugural season, the Dallas Desperados led the League in attendance, qualified for the postseason and won their first-ever playoff game.

Head Coach Joe Avezzano expects more in 2003 and made the off-season moves to prove it. 

Third-year QB Jim Kubiak takes over the starting role for new offensive coordinator Steve Thonn.  The sophomore duo of Andy McCullough and Dialleo Burks will provide Kubiak with solid targets.

 

Grand Rapids Rampage

Two years removed from their first title, Grand Rapids QB Clint Dolezel intends to return the Rampage to the ArenaBowl after being stopped short by the Carolina Cobras in the Wild Card Round in 2002.

Despite last season's setback, Head Coach Michael Trigg believes the pieces are in place for another title run. Dolezel contributed with a league-best 79 passing touchdowns in '02, and his 159 scoring strikes over the past two seasons is the most by any AFL QB over that span.

The Rampage returns three of the four receivers who had double-digit touchdown receptions last season in Steve Smith (26), Terrill Shaw (17) and Willis Marshall (15).  On the other side of the ball, the Rampage made improvements by adding some AFL veteran defenders including Cecil Doggette and Derek Stingley.

 

Indiana Firebirds

The Firebirds are always a contender - and an ArenaBowl champion in 1999 - with the venerable Eddie Brown catching passes and Mike Dailey calling the plays. After going 7-7 last season, Daily decided to bring in some fresh faces to compliment his line-up of proven performers.

Brown, back on track after an injury-riddled 2002, is set to put up some "Touchdown"-type numbers.  First-Team All-Arena and 2002 "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year Leroy Thompson is back for his eighth season and is looking to top his 10 rushing touchdowns from a year ago. 

Veteran OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown, who had not missed a start in 123 games, is back for his ninth campaign.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE - EASTERN DIVISION

Buffalo Destroyers

Called from the ranks of arenafootball2, where he was named af2 Coach of the Year last year, new Buffalo Head Coach Ron Selesky leads the Destroyers this season in search of the team's third postseason appearance.

Quarterback Jeff Loots saw limited action in 2002 behind former starter Fred McNair, passing for 663 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games. When Loots takes the snap, he'll have a strong line of protection courtesy of off-season OL/DL additions Steve Scifres, Terry Grooms, and Silas DeMary. Nine-year veteran WR/LB Bret Cooper also returns to the lineup for Buffalo in search of his third ArenaBowl title.

Last season, the Destroyers finished 6-8 to advance to the playoffs, but were ousted by Orlando in the Wild Card Round.

 

Detroit Fury

With the addition of new Head Coach Al Luginbill, the AFL's all-time leading passer Andy Kelly, and wealth of fresh faces on the Fury roster, Detroit is pushing for a strong turnaround from its 1-13 finish last season.

Surrounded by off-season veteran additions like WR/LB Thomas Bailey and DS/KR Ron Carpenter, Kelly also has a lengthy list of rookie targets, including former NFL receivers, Marcus Nash and Lavell Boyd.

Realignment moved Detroit from the Central Division to the East.

 

Las Vegas Gladiators

After orchestrating the greatest single-season turnaround in AFL history last year - spinning a 2-12 record from 2001 into a 9-5 finish in 2002 - Las Vegas Head Coach Frank Haege has set his sights on an ArenaBowl championship. Haege has built an impressive roster of talent led by QB Jay McDonagh.

Las Vegas threatens to score on every possession with former Offensive Player of the Year Mike Horacek (2000) and third-year sensation WR/LB Sedrick Robinson.

DS Damon Mason needs only 66.5 tackles to become the third player in AFL history to reach 500.

 

New York Dragons

New York QB Aaron Garcia returns for his first full schedule of AFL action since his record-setting 2001 season, when he threw for an AFL record 104 touchdowns and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Despite the Dragons' 3-11 record, the receiving tandem of OS Steve Papin and WR/DB Mike Furrey combined for 300 points last season. Papin needs three kickoff returns for touchdowns to become the league's all-time leader.

Second-year DS Donvetis Franklin exploded onto the scene last season - racking up 90.5 tackles and reigning in six interceptions as a rookie.

 

NATIONAL CONFERENCE - SOUTHERN DIVISION

Orlando Predators

The sun is shining brightly in Florida - or is that just Orlando Predators QB Jay Gruden's smile?

He's grinning from ear-to-ear with the acquisition of veteran WR/LB Cory Fleming, OS Albert Connell and WR/LB Thabiti Davis. All three have spent time on NFL rosters.

The defensive secondary will be patrolled by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kenny McEntyre, while All-Arena OL/DL Ernest Allen anchors the line.

Second-year Head Coach Fran Papasedero hopes that his squad will take the next step after a Semifinal appearance in 2002.

 

Tampa Bay Storm

Tampa Bay Storm Head Coach Tim Marcum looks for his seventh ArenaBowl title (I, II, III, VI, IX and X) and his third with the Storm.

Ten-year veteran QB John Kaleo returns from injury to guide the offense with new weapons WR/LB Clif Dell and WR/LB Gary Compton. Veteran WR/DB Alvin Ashley returns to add some punch to the Storm's receiving and return game.

Newly acquired OL/DL B.J. Cohen and veteran OL/DL Rod Williams will lead the pressure defense of the Storm.

 

Georgia Force

Georgia Force Head Coach Marty Lowe, who took over the reigns in Week 6 of last season, will have a full season to get his team into the playoffs after guiding the Force to a 5-4 mark in the last nine weeks.

Ironman WR/LB Darryl Hammond returns for his record-tying 12th season in the AFL. Veteran QB Donnie Davis and OS Tyronne Jones hope to spark the Force offense and lead them to a Southern Division crown.

 

Carolina Cobras

New Head Coach Mike Hold will use his 12 years of AFL playing experience to help guide the Carolina Cobras to another playoff run.

Newcomers QB Chad Degrenier, WR/DB Terrence Davis and OS Ben Bronson will bring extensive experience to a young team. Wide Receiver/Defensive Back R.J. Anderson was impressive down the stretch in 2002 and will look to make a name for himself in the Southern Division.