LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 30, 2005) – As if it wasn't already in good shape, the Georgia Force sent a major signal to the rest of the league this week that it is willing to do whatever it takes to win the championship.

Georgia, which already has the Arena Football League's best record (7-2), acquired standout wide receiver/linebacker Chris Jackson in a trade with Grand Rapids. This is a major move that undoubtedly makes the Force the team to beat.

"Any time you can add a player of Chris' caliber to your team at this point in the season, it is a positive move," Force coach Doug Plank told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Having coached against Chris, I know the challenges he presents for opposing defenses."

Jackson was the AFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, making 85 receptions for 1,205 yards with 28 touchdowns for Los Angeles. At Grand Rapids this season, he caught 48 passes for 651 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Adding Jackson enriches an already outstanding group of receivers.

Troy Bergeron, who has 66 receptions for 906 yards with 22 touchdowns. is well on his way to Rookie of the Year honors. Derek Lee has 62 catches for 722 yards with 20 touchdowns.

Good luck to any defense that must face that trio. One-on-one coverage is too risky, and double teams will leave a quality receiver open. A zone coverage will force Georgia to work the ball down the field, but also allows for open receivers underneath.

Given its record, this wasn't a trade the Force had to make.

But it's the type of move, right before the trading deadline, that speaks volumes about the organization's commitment.

While Georgia isn't guaranteed to make the ArenaBowl because it is in such a tough conference, the Force did what it had to do to help those chances.

The signal has been sent. Opponents have been warned.

Georgia is the team to watch.

QUICK THOUGHTS

• There is so much talent in Tampa Bay, how could the Storm be 4-4, including 0-4 on the road? Talk about an underachieving bunch.

The team's desire must be taken to task. After receiving a hefty penalty by the league last week for salary cap violations, the Storm should have come out fuming. Instead, it went looking for a place to hide in losing 59-28 at Los Angeles.

Not exactly the heart of a champion.

Apparently, the front office has noticed, trading two top players – T.T. Toliver (Nashville) and David Saunders (Grand Rapids) – this week. Part of it is to get in line with the salary cap, but the executives must be aghast at watching so little come from so much on a weekly basis.

"The main thing was the organization was moving in another direction," interim coach Dave Ewart told the Tampa Tribune.

A direction far from where it now is going.

Unlike my wacky prediction last week of a strong playoff push, the Storm is in serious trouble for this season. The front office obviously is thinking long term, which is the right idea.

• Crush offensive specialist Damian Harrell needs just one touchdown catch this weekend against Las Vegas to break the league record of 42 consecutive games with at least one TD reception.

"He's relentless," Colorado defensive specialist Rashad Floyd told the Denver Post. "Any time the ball is in the air, he truly believes in his mind and his heart that he's the only one who can get it. He goes into every game knowing he can't be stopped."

Mark Anderson is the AFLWA executive director. He also covers the Gladiators for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.