So what did we
learn from the opening week in the AFL you ask? Allow me to take some time to reflect upon week one of the 2011.
After taking one year off, SaberCat QB Mark Grieb and this offense have not missed a beat and looked down right scary. With no James Roe or Ben Nelson from past teams, Veteran WR Rodney Wright filled in beautifully catching 12 passes for 123 years and a TD. WR Nichiren Flowers stole the show though and caught a team high four TD’s from Grieb. If the ‘Cats were not passing, they were doing damage on the ground with FB/LB Chad Cook. Cook carries the ball 11 times for 23 yards and crossed the pay dirt three times. Look for this guy to milk the clock early and often if the ‘Cats continue to get big leads. Defensively the SaberCats forced three picks, two of which were returned for TDs. The Spokane Shock got started off slow in this game early one which is something you can’t do with a high octane offense like the ‘Cats have. This forced QB Kyle Rowley to throw early and often to the WR trio of Raul Vigil, Markee White, and Greg Orton. Vigil was Rowley’s main target throughout the night catching 13 passes for 161 yards and three TDs. But Rowley also managed to throw three picks, which ultimately lead to the 28-point drubbing.
One of the better games of week one happened in the “Steel City”. Philadelphia visited the first year Pittsburgh Power. Power QB Bernard Morris got the Power going early in the first quarter with three TD passes to three different WRs to take an early 21-7 lead against Soul. WR Michael Washington led all Power WRs with nine catches for 111 yards. New Soul QB Justin Allgood was “all good” after that though and showed why he’s going to be a stud in the AFL this year. Fourteen of Allgood’s 25 completions went to WR Donovan Morgan. Morgan had an electrifying 14 catches, 189 yards, and five TDs. Oh, I almost forgot. He also had a rushing TD. Folks, meet what I feel will be the best WR in the AFL this year. Get used to these kinds frightening stat lines. Game went into overtime where Soul WR/DB Mike Brown picked off Morris and returned it back for a TD.
Another exciting team to watch this year will be the Arizona Rattlers who look like they can put up points with the best of teams. Rattler QB Nick Davilla has some talented WR around him this year in WRs Trandon Harvey, Jason Geathers, and Nate Force. Harvey led this trio with a monster 12 catches, 130 yards, and four TDs. Geathers was also very busy posting 9 catches, 100 yards, and TD, while former Milwaukee Mustang Nate Force grabbed five passes for 46 yards and a TD. Look for big things from this foursome for the 2011. Aaron Garcia and the Sharks did a nice job jumping on top of the Mustangs early, but the Ratt’s just had too much offense at the end of the game. Shark WR Jeron Harvey who caught nine passes for 110 yards and two TDs should enjoy a nice season if Garcia can stay healthy.
I was able to watch the Chicago Rush/Milwaukee Mustang game live on http://www.niftytv.com web site Sunday night. Good game here that went back and forth. Rush QB Russ Micha was pinpoint accurate throughout the night. Rush rookie WRs Charles Dillon and Reggie Gray caught just about everything thrown in site. Dillon’s eight catches for 109 and three TDs led the team while Gray hauled in seven passes for 98 yards and three TDs. On the other side of the field, first year QB Eric Ward looked shaky at times, but was able to feed the ball to veteran WR Damien Harrell and Antoine Burns. Harrell (9 catches, 90 yards, TD) and Burns (9 catches, 128 yards, 2 TDs) wowed the crowd with numerous grabs throughout the night. Harrell caught a number of insane one-handed grabs, and Burns caught a beautifully thrown 42-yard bomb over his shoulder in the fourth quarter. ‘Stangs mustard a late rally out scoring the Rush 14-7 in the final period, but turnovers ended up costing this team the game.
The Georgia Force and Tulsa Talons went down to the wire as well. The Talons scored twice in the final two minutes with a pair of Bobby Reid to Trent Shelton hook-ups. The Force though was able to recover an ensuing onside kick though and posted the victory. The most notable performance of the night came from Talon QB Bobby Reid. Not only did he lead a furious comeback that eventually came up short, but the speedster also racked up a crazy amount of damage on the ground with 93 yards rushing and four TDs. If you’re looking for a sleeper fantasy QB in 2011, look no further. His WRs are a little shaky and unproven, but could post some downright silly numbers on the ground this year. The Georgia Force used the combination of WRs Larry Shipp Jr. and Charles Johnson to carry their offense. CJ posted some very respectable yardage numbers with 213 total yards and one kickoff return TD.
The Dallas/KC game was yet another close one where the home team jumped out early and managed to hold on for the victory. The first quarter was dominated by Dallas FB/LB Derrick Ross who scored the first TD of the game with a 37-yard scamper. He then got a TD run of the shorter variety with a one-yarder to give the Vigs a 13-0 lead. Ross posted league high 15 carries in this game for 66 yards and 4 TDs. KC though would not stay down for long though as QB JJ Raterink got the offense going with two quick strikes to take a 14-13 lead. KC WRs Brett Smith, Steve Savoy, and Aaron Hosak were all involved through out the night, as Raterrink passed for 337 yards and seven TDs for the game. Brett Smith benefited the most throughout the night catching 11 passes for 133 yards and three TDs.
We can’t possibly overlook the last game between the Voodoo and the Storm could we? Of course not! The first thing that jumps out at me with this game is the amount of TDs the Storm had to win this game. A whopping ZERO! Nil! Nada! What?? That’s right the Storm got five TDs on the ground for a 45-40 win over the VoodooLess ones. Yo Coach Ewart, this is not the NFL, this is an indoor game called Arena Football where you’re suppose to throw the freakin’ ball 50+ times for 400 yard and 8 TDs! Let’s get this offense moving will ya? The one guy I feel bad for on the Storm for this game is QB Mike Potts. I mean this guy played an entire game and went 20-35 for 165 yards and zero TD passes. He posted better stats last year with the Talons where he was 6-12 for 88 yards and two TDs. What gives? I’m sure better days are ahead for the Pottster! Voodoo fans have to be pumped about Hutch Gonzo! This is by far one of my favorite named players of all-time. Seriously, the only other dude I know named Hutch was on a TV show alongside his cop buddy named Starsky! Great show by the way that I may have to rent through Netflix this weekend! The Voodoo WR caught nine passes for 109 yards and a TD. Meanwhile Voodoo WR PJ Berry’s 228 total yards were a league high for week one. Berry produced through the air, on kickoff returns, and on the ground on his way to four total TDs. Who’s the luck SOB that got these guys in your fantasy league? Not I…
I hope everyone enjoys there 2011 Arena Fantasy Football season. Happy Drafting, and good luck to everyone one in week two!
Sincerely,
Your Fantasy AFL Guru
Arena Football Online's Blog 
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