2008 Arena Football League season
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Arena Football League season was the 22nd season of the Arena Football League and final season before the 2009 cancellation. The regular season began play on February 29, 2008 and concluded on June 22. The playoffs began the following week, and ArenaBowl XXII
was held in New Orleans, Louisiana
on July 27 between the National Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul
and the American Conference Champion San Jose Sabercats
. This game was won by the Soul, 59-56.
Prior to the season, it was announced that the Austin Wranglers
would move to the af2
, and the Nashville Kats
folded, thus leaving the league with 17 teams. The Las Vegas Gladiators relocated to Cleveland
.
* Despite having a better divisional record than Colorado, Grand Rapids was ruled as the American Conference's #6 seed.
ArenaBowl XXII
ArenaBowl XXII was played on July 27, 2008 at New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana . It was the 22nd and final championship game in the history of the original Arena Football League. This was the fourth neutral site ArenaBowl in AFL history and the second ArenaBowl in the state of Louisiana...
was held in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
on July 27 between the National Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul
Philadelphia Soul
The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII...
and the American Conference Champion San Jose Sabercats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
. This game was won by the Soul, 59-56.
Prior to the season, it was announced that the Austin Wranglers
Austin Wranglers
The Austin Wranglers were an arena football team based in Austin, Texas. They played four seasons in the Arena Football League from 2004 to 2007 and spent one season in AF2, the AFL's developmental league, in 2008. They made playoff appearances in the AFL in 2006 and in AF2 in 2008...
would move to the af2
Af2
AF2 was the name of the Arena Football League's developmental league; it was founded in 1999 and played its first season in 2000. Like parent AFL, the AF2 played using the same arena football rules and style of play. League seasons ran from April through July with the postseason and ArenaCup...
, and the Nashville Kats
Nashville Kats
The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
folded, thus leaving the league with 17 teams. The Las Vegas Gladiators relocated to Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
.
Standings
| Team | Overall | Division | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | Losses | Percentage | Wins | Losses | Percentage | |
| National Conference | ||||||
| Eastern Division | ||||||
| Philadelphia Soul Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
13 | 3 | 0.812 | 7 | 1 | 0.875 |
| Dallas Desperados Dallas Desperados The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008.... |
12 | 4 | 0.750 | 6 | 2 | 0.750 |
| Cleveland Gladiators | 9 | 7 | 0.562 | 4 | 4 | 0.500 |
| New York Dragons New York Dragons The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded... |
8 | 8 | 0.500 | 2 | 6 | 0.250 |
| Columbus Destroyers Columbus Destroyers The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of... |
3 | 13 | 0.187 | 1 | 7 | 0.125 |
| Southern Division | ||||||
| Georgia Force Georgia Force The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings... |
10 | 6 | 0.625 | 3 | 3 | 0.500 |
| Orlando Predators Orlando Predators The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000... |
9 | 7 | 0.562 | 3 | 3 | 0.500 |
| Tampa Bay Storm Tampa Bay Storm The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.... |
8 | 8 | 0.500 | 4 | 2 | 0.667 |
| New Orleans VooDoo New Orleans VooDoo The New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in New Orleans Arena.... |
8 | 8 | 0.500 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
| American Conference | ||||||
| Central Division | ||||||
| Chicago Rush Chicago Rush The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the... |
11 | 5 | 0.687 | 6 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Colorado Crush Colorado Crush Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009... |
6 | 10 | 0.375 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
| Grand Rapids Rampage Grand Rapids Rampage The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:... * |
6 | 10 | 0.375 | 3 | 3 | 0.500 |
| Kansas City Brigade Kansas City Brigade The Kansas City Command is a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. The team was founded before the 2006 season. Former Kansas City Chiefs Strong safety Kevin Porter served as head coach... |
3 | 13 | 0.187 | 1 | 5 | 0.167 |
| Western Division | ||||||
| San Jose SaberCats San Jose SaberCats The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the... |
11 | 5 | 0.687 | 6 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Arizona Rattlers Arizona Rattlers The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center... |
8 | 8 | 0.500 | 1 | 5 | 0.167 |
| Utah Blaze Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
6 | 10 | 0.375 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
| Los Angeles Avengers Los Angeles Avengers The Los Angeles Avengers was an Arena Football League team based in Los Angeles, California from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.-History:... |
5 | 11 | 0.312 | 3 | 3 | 0.500 |
- Green indicates clinched playoff berth
- Purple indicates division champion
- Gray indicates best conference record
Playoffs
Passing
| Player | Comp. | Att. | Comp% | Yards | TD's | INT's | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt D'Orazio Matt D'Orazio Matthew Louis D’Orazio is a professional American football quarterback Free Agent. He played college football at Otterbein College.... , PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
212 | 292 | 72.6% | 2430 | 52 | 4 | 131.1 |
| Russ Michna Russ Michna Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004... , CHI Chicago Rush The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the... |
130 | 181 | 71.8% | 1469 | 32 | 4 | 126.1 |
| Joe Germaine Joe Germaine -St. Louis Rams:Germaine was selected in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He won a Super Bowl ring as a backup to Kurt Warner as a rookie. Germaine appeared in only three games, completing nine passes, and was cut at the end of the 2000 season.-Kansas City... , UTA Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
324 | 468 | 69.2% | 3762 | 76 | 10 | 123.9 |
| Tony Graziani Tony Graziani Anthony Robert Graziani was an American football quarterback who played for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League, and the Los Angeles Avengers and Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. Graziani played college football at the University of Oregon... , PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
78 | 117 | 66.7% | 1017 | 27 | 3 | 122.8 |
| Chris Greisen Chris Greisen Christopher J. Greisen is an American football quarterback for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwest Missouri State... , GEO Georgia Force The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings... |
275 | 417 | 65.9% | 3471 | 68 | 12 | 119.3 |
Rushing
| Player | Car. | Yards | Avg. | TD's | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlion Jackson Marlion Jackson Marlion Jackson is an American football fullback and linebacker. He currently plays for the Cleveland Gladiators in the Arena Football League.Marlion Jackson was born in Detroit, Michigan.... , CLE |
73 | 265 | 3.6 | 17 | 32 |
| Matt D'Orazio Matt D'Orazio Matthew Louis D’Orazio is a professional American football quarterback Free Agent. He played college football at Otterbein College.... , PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
39 | 191 | 4.9 | 8 | 22 |
| Harold Wells, CLB Columbus Destroyers The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of... |
74 | 189 | 2.6 | 12 | 10 |
| Josh White, DAL Dallas Desperados The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008.... |
59 | 187 | 3.2 | 4 | 19 |
| Dan Alexander, CHI Chicago Rush The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the... |
51 | 185 | 3.6 | 11 | 13 |
Receiving
| Player | Rec. | Yards | Avg. | TD's | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.T. Toliver, ORL Orlando Predators The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000... |
94 | 1364 | 14.5 | 25 | 43 |
| Huey Whittaker Huey Whittaker Hubert Alton George "Huey" Whittaker is an American football wide receiver for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004... , UTA Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
108 | 1309 | 12.1 | 25 | 40 |
| Chris Jackson, PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
101 | 1261 | 12.5 | 36 | 41 |
| Larry Brackins Larry Brackins Larry Brackins is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent of the Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... , PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
93 | 1244 | 13.4 | 25 | 43 |
| Derek Lee Derek Lee (American football) Derek Lee is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. He played college football at Tennessee Tech.... , CLB Columbus Destroyers The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of... |
99 | 1227 | 12.4 | 26 | 45 |
Touchdowns
| Player | TD's | Rush | Rec | Ret | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Jackson, PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
36 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 216 |
| Otis Amey Otis Amey Fred Otis Holmes Amey is a professional American and Canadian football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2005... , CLE |
34 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 206 |
| Huey Whittaker Huey Whittaker Hubert Alton George "Huey" Whittaker is an American football wide receiver for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004... , UTA Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
32 | 7 | 25 | 0 | 196 |
| J.J. McKelvey, UTA Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
31 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 186 |
| T.T. Toliver, ORL Orlando Predators The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000... |
29 | 1 | 25 | 3 | 174 |
Defense
| Player | Ttl. Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted TKLs | Ttl. Sacks | Solo Sacks | Assisted Sacks | INT's | INT Yards | INT TD's | Longest INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Canonico, UTA Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
85.5 | 75 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 0 | 20 |
| Omarr Smith, SJS San Jose SaberCats The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the... |
81 | 72 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| Nate Coggins Nate Coggins Nate Coggins is a former Arena Football League defensive specialist. He played for the Georgia Force , the Austin Wranglers and is playing the 2008 season with the Columbus Destroyers.-High school years:... , CLB Columbus Destroyers The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of... |
77 | 67 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Rashad Floyd Rashad Floyd Rashad Floyd is an American football defensive back for the Colorado Crush of the Arena Football League. He played college football at Portland State.Floyd has also played for the Orlando Predators.... , COL Colorado Crush Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009... |
77 | 68 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 0 | 24 |
| Brandon Hefflin, CLE | 76.5 | 64 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kick Return
| Player | KR Ret | KR Yards | KR TD's | KR Long | KR Avg | FG Ret | FG Yards | FG TD's | FG Long | FG Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timon Marshall Timon Marshall Timon Marshall is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League... , LAA Los Angeles Avengers The Los Angeles Avengers was an Arena Football League team based in Los Angeles, California from 2000 through 2008. They folded on April 19, 2009.-History:... |
66 | 1261 | 1 | 57 | 19.1 | 3 | 62 | 0 | 25 | 20.7 |
| J'Sharlon Jone, UTA Utah Blaze The Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :... |
69 | 1259 | 0 | 54 | 18.2 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 19 | 15.5 |
| T.T. Toliver, ORL Orlando Predators The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000... |
66 | 1218 | 3 | 58 | 18.5 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 16 | 11.7 |
| Chris Martin Chris Martin (American football) Christopher Martin is a retired American football linebacker. He played in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints, the Minnesota Vikings, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Los Angeles Rams.... , GRR Grand Rapids Rampage The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:... |
57 | 1135 | 4 | 57 | 19.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Brown, PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
50 | 969 | 3 | 57 | 19.4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2.5 |
Kicking
| Player | Extra pt. | Extra pt. Att. | FG | FGA | Long | Pct. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Haglund, SJS San Jose SaberCats The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the... |
81 | 87 | 18 | 20 | 47 | 90.0% | 135 |
| Connor Hughes Connor Hughes Connor Hughes is an American football placekicker who is currently plays for Oldham Athletic. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Virginia.... , PHI Philadelphia Soul The Philadelphia Soul are an Arena Football League team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They began play in as an expansion team. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the American Conference. They won their first ArenaBowl in 2008, defeating the San Jose SaberCats 59–56 in ArenaBowl XXII... |
93 | 104 | 4 | 12 | 33 | 33.3% | 105 |
| Jason Ball Jason Ball Jason Ball is a Western Australian Australian rules football player with the Sydney Swans of the AFL, and is affectionately known as "Bally" by fans and media.... , CLE |
68 | 82 | 12 | 16 | 46 | 75.0% | 104 |
| Seth Marler Seth Marler Michael Seth Marler , is an Arena football Placekicker for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League.He played college football at Tulane... , TAM Tampa Bay Storm The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.... |
70 | 80 | 9 | 15 | 41 | 60.0% | 97 |
| Carlos Martinez Carlos Martínez Carlos Martínez is the name of:* Carlos Martínez , Spanish actor* Carlos Martínez , Spanish football player* Carlos Martínez Fernández, , Spanish football player... , GEO Georgia Force The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings... |
79 | 89 | 5 | 8 | 41 | 62.5% | 94 |
Awards
| Award | Player/Coach | Team |
|---|