Graziani, Robinson and Redd Receive ArenaFan.com Week One Honors

By Andy Lopusnak, ArenaFan.com

March 5, 2008

For their performances during the first week of the Arena Football League’s 2008 season, Philadelphia Soul quarterback Tony Graziani, Chicago Rush defensive back and Cleveland Gladiators wide receiver/defensive back Robert Redd have been named Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week and Two-Way Player of the Week, respectively, by the writers and staff of ArenaFan.com.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Graziani (6.03, 210 lbs., Oregon) was nearly flawless in the Soul’s 77-56 win over Orlando. He completed 15-of-22 (68%) for 257 yards with nine touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 147.2. His 15 completions averaged 17.1 apiece (Orlando averaged 10.2). He was not sacked in the game. His nine passing touchdowns are a new Soul team record.

Others considered for Week One’s Offensive Player of the Week: Arizona QB Lang Campbell, Philadelphia WR Chris Jackson and Orlando QB Shane Stafford.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Robinson (6.00, 195 lbs., West Georgia) led all AFL players in Week One in tackles (12.0), interceptions (two) and forced fumbles (two) in the Rush’s 70-47 win over the defending champions SaberCats. He also had a pass breakup in the end zone that prevented a would-be touchdown.

Others considered for Week One’s Defensive Player of the Week: The Chicago Rush defense as a whole, Chicago WR/DB DeJuan Alfonzo, Chicago DL James Baron, Columbus DB Nate Coggins and Los Angeles DB Damen Wheeler.

TWO-WAY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Redd (5.10, 195 lbs., Bowling Green) scored on offense and special teams in the first AFL game in Cleveland since 1994 with the Gladiators beating New York 61-49. He caught six passes for 78 yards and a receiving touchdown on offense. Defensively, he returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown and 2.5 tackles. He also returned two kickoffs for 48 yards.

Others considered for Week One’s Two-Way Player of the Week: Chicago WR/DB DeJuan Alfonzo, Tampa Bay FB/LB Marvin Brown, Philadelphia WR/DB Mike Brown, Utah WR/DB J’Sharlon Jones, Los Angeles WR/KR Timon Marshall and Arizona WR/DB Kevin Nickerson.

About ArenaFan.com
ArenaFan.com is the only independent website dedicated to covering all of the Arena Football League and arenafootball2. Celebrating its eleventh season, the site provides original stories, an interactive section, a thorough statistical database covering the league's 22-year history and numerous other features.
 

*** ArenaFan.com ***