Although it wasn’t a surprise to most fans of the Arena Football League, Damian Harrell said Wednesday there were other players in the league who deserved to be the offensive player of the year.
The Colorado Crush offensive specialist won the award for the second year in a row, but indicated this year was more special because of the competition.
“There definitely were other players who deserved the award,” Harrell said. “I was especially impressed with what quarterback Clint Dolezel did for Dallas this year.”
Dolezel set a league record with 105 touchdown passes.
But Harrell set league records for scoring with 366 points, touchdown receptions with 60 and total touchdowns with 61. He also tied the record for touchdown catches in consecutive games at 65.
“He’s my player, so I’m a little prejudiced. But it’s tough not to say he’s the best player in the league,” Crush coach Mike Dailey said of Harrell. “He’s deserving of the award. It’s difficult to win it two years in a row and that goes to his credit. Teams know they must stop him and he still produces big numbers every game.”
In increasing his AFL career total to 10,327 yards, Harrell made 152 receptions during the season for 1,920 yards. The 152 receptions rank second in league history and the 1,920 yards rank third.
Harrell said he will take the same approach into the 2007 season.
“I’ll try to make the plays for the organization, and the individual stuff will come,” Harrell said.
Dolezel, Chris Jackson of Georgia, Mark Grieb of San Jose and Siaha Burley of Utah also received votes for offensive player of the year.
Irv Moss can be reached on 303 820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
