LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – He leads a defense that already has set three season records, and with eight solo tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown against the defending champs, New Orleans defensive back Calvin Spears was named the Arena Football League Writers Association's Player of the Week.

Spears

Spears, who leads the AFL with six interceptions, stepped in front of a Mark Grieb pass Saturday and returned it 49 yards for a score that put the VooDoo ahead of San Jose 14-7 near the end of the first quarter. New Orleans led the rest of the way and won 72-43.

Spears, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, already has set the team record for interceptions in a season. The VooDoo lead the league in turnover ratio at plus-14. It also has set season records for team interceptions in a season (15) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (four).

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. The association will name an AFL Player of the Week each week throughout the 2007 season. The AFLWA has presented this weekly award since its inception during the 2004 season. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.