LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Mark Grieb's numbers were too difficult to ignore, and he was selected the Offensive Player of the Mid-Year in a vote by the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA).

Grieb, who quarterbacks the AFLWA's No. 1-ranked team, has the highest rating (142.2) and completion percentage (76.4). He also has thrown for 1,996 yards with 40 touchdowns and two interceptions in leading the SaberCats to a 7-1 record.

Another San Jose player, James Roe, was named Ironman of the Mid-Year. He has made 54 receptions for 640 yards with 19 touchdowns, and he one interception, which was returned for a score.

Rashad Floyd of the Colorado Crush was named Defensive Player of the Mid-Year. His five interceptions lead the league, and he returned one for a touchdown.

Bryan Henderson of the Arizona Rattlers is tied for the AFL lead with five sacks, and he was selected Lineman of the Mid-Year.

Indiana Firebirds quarterback Adrian McPherson is Rookie of the Mid-Year. He has passed for 27 touchdowns and rushed for 12 more, and is the prime reason Indiana is on a four-game winning streak. The Firebirds were the voters' choice to make a second-half surge to the playoffs.

Mike Neu, who has guided the expansion New Orleans VooDoo, to a 7-1 start, is Coach of the Mid-Year. The VooDoo also was named the Surprise Team of the Mid-Year. Thabiti Davis of the Detroit Fury was selected the Surprise Player of the Mid-Year after catching 54 passes for 758 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Las Vegas, which entered the season with playoff expectations but is 3-6, was named the Disappointing Team of the Mid-Year. Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Shane Stafford, who replaced ArenaBowl winner John Kaleo, was named Disappointing Player of the Mid-Year. The Storm is 3-6, and Stafford has thrown seven interceptions.

The early success of the expansion teams was named the Story of the Mid-Year. In addition to New Orleans, the Austin Wranglers are 5-3 and the Philadelphia Soul is 4-5. However, voters picked Austin as the team that would fade in the second half.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.