Well we are about a week removed from the AFL season and withdrawal has set in. I started to think about the season and how certain teams suddenly got better at certain points in the season. It lead be to take a look at the acquisitions the teams made and what the top 5 in-season acquisitions! I only looked at players that were signed or traded during the season. Now to the list:
#5: Delenall Reid - DB - Dallas Vigilantes - June 10th
Delenall Reid had been a star for the Tulsa Talons during their time in the af2. Regrettably, Reid did not survive training camp with the Talons this year. Reid remained unsigned until the week of the Vigilantes home game against the Talons in week 11. Reid did not play that week but started to work his way into the rotation starting the next week. Reid makes the list for his week 16 performance against the Chicago Rush. The Vigilantes were on a 10 game loosing streak going into the game and heavily in need of a win. The defining play in that game was Reid's interception returned for a touchdown in overtime to end the Rush's chance at pulling out a victory.
#4: Eric Ortiz - FB - Tampa Bay Storm - May 5th
Eric Ortiz joined the storm in week 6, but didn't make a big splash until the very end of the season. What was most impressive was his playoff performance. In the Storm's 3 playoff games, including the Arenabowl, Ortiz scored 5 rushing TDs. In the ArenaBowl alone Ortiz scored 3 TDs, as the only real highlight for the Storm.
#3: Dallas Baker and Sale' Key - WR - Jacksonville Sharks - April 6th
A Daily Double! The first two weeks of the Sharks' season did not look that outstanding offensively. The offense just was missing something. That something ended up being these two receivers. They were the perfect counterpart to Jomo Wilson, opening up a lot more options for Aaron Garcia. Baker, a rookie of the year candidate, finished the season with 88 receptions for 1120 yards and 23 TDs. Key, who spent training camp with the Talons, ended the season with 56 receptions for 640 yards and 8 TDs. Key also had 2 rushing TDs.
#2: Mervin Brookins - DB/KR - Spokane Shock - June 10th
Mervin Brookins started the season with the OKC Yard Dawgz. Brookins had some outstanding plays during his time with OKC before being released. In fact, one of his fumble returns made NFL Network's top plays of the season. Brookings was signed to the stacked Spokane Shock in week 11. Brookins became a great returnman for the Shock, getting his only return TD against the Chicago Rush in week 17. In the ArenaBowl Brookins had an outstanding return performance, averaging 24.5 yards on 2 returns, as well as 1 interception on Defense.
#1: Bobby Sippio - WR - Orlando Predators - May 19th
Was there any question about this? The Predators were an awful team until their week 8 signing of Bobby Sippio. That week Sippio started and helped lead the Predators to a stunning upset of the Milwaukee Iron, the then top-ranked team in the league. Sippio went on to win multitudes of weekly awards and show the league that the Predators would compete. Sippio ended the season with 51 receptions for 747 yards and 18 TDs. Sippio also had 1 rushing TD.
Well thats it! I hope to write a few more "Looking Back" articles through out the coming months so be sure to check back!
Feel free to post your own "Top 5" in the comments sections below.
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