AFLWA > News > Schutt Sports Top 12 Poll

March 5, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Derry
504-232-9944

Chicago moves up to No. 2 in AFLWA weekly rankings

DALLAS TOPS SCHUTT SPORTS AFL TOP 12 POLL

LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Dallas remained in the top spot in the Week 2 Schutt Sports Top 12, but just barely in a poll of members of the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA).

By routing previous No. 2 San Jose on Monday night 70-47, Chicago inched to within one point of catching the Desperados. The Rush also received six first-place votes, as compared to eight for Dallas.

The Desperados, who defeated reigning Southern Division-champion Georgia last weekend, were also hurt by losing quarterback Clint Dolezel to an injured shoulder. Initial reports say that Dolezel could miss time, which would come at an inopportune portion of the season, as Dallas must play in the coming weeks, defending National Conference-champion Columbus, an improved Colorado team and ArenaBowl XXI champ San Jose.

If the Desperados falter, waiting to take over in the Eastern Conference could be No. 3 Philadelphia, which rolled past Orlando in Week 1. Quarterback Tony Graziani captured AFLWA Player of the Week Honors by throwing a franchise-record nine touchdown passes.

Other movers upward in the poll this week were No. 4 Tampa Bay, No. 5 Los Angeles and No. 7 Colorado. Arizona (ranked ninth) and Cleveland (10th) entered the Schutt Sports Top 12 after not being ranked in the preseason poll.

AFL - Arena Football League Hats at lids.com

No. 6 San Jose and No. 12 Orlando moved down four spots, No. 8 Georgia dropped three positions and Kansas City fell from 10th to 11th.

Columbus and Utah dropped out of the poll.

This week's top games include No. 3 Philadelphia at No. 2 Chicago on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern (ESPN2), and No. 4 Tampa Bay will face No. 8 Georgia in a Southern Division showdown.

In the week's other nationally televised game, No. 5 Los Angeles will travel to play No. 9 Arizona on Monday night at 11 p.m. Eastern (ESPN2).

SCHUTT SPORTS TOP 12 POLL (MARCH 4)
Rk.	Team [1st Place]	W-L	Pts.	Pvs.	This week
1.	Dallas Desperados [8]	1-0	170	1	vs. Columbus
2.	Chicago Rush [6]	1-0	169	3	vs. No. 3 Philadelphia
3.	Philadelphia Soul [1]	1-0	149	4	at No. 2 Chicago
4.	Tampa Bay Storm	1-0	115	6	vs. No. 8 Georgia
5.	Los Angeles Avengers	1-0	113	7	at No. 9 Arizona
6.	San Jose SaberCats	0-1	87	2	at Grand Rapids
7.	Colorado Crush	1-0	86	12	Idle
8.	Georgia Force	0-1	76	5	at No. 4 Tampa Bay
9.	Arizona Rattlers	1-0	58	-	vs. No. 5 Los Angeles
10.	Cleveland Gladiators	1-0	50	-	vs. Utah
11.	Kansas City Brigade	0-1	27	10	at New York
12.	Orlando Predators	0-1	24	8	at New Orleans
Others receiving votes: Utah 21, Columbus 20, New Orleans 5.
Dropped out: Columbus (9), Utah (11).

Schutt Sports, the sports gear company with a reputation for innovation, is sponsoring this season's Top 12 Poll. Its website is schuttsports.com.

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.

2008 AFLWA Rankings (No 1. team):
• Preseason (Dallas) • March 5 (Dallas) • March 12 (Dallas) • March 19 (Dallas) • March 25 (Dallas) • April 1 (Philadelphia)	• April 8 (Philadelphia) • April 15 (Philadelphia) • April 22 (Philadelphia) • April 29 (Philadelphia) • May 6 (Philadelphia) • May 13 (Dallas)	• May 20 (Chicago) • May 27 (Dallas) • June 3 (Dallas) • June 10 (Philadelphia) • June 17 (Philadelphia) • June 24 (Philadelphia)