Destroyers' Brown Tops AFL Defensive Honor Roll

Jerald Brown knew he wanted to play for coach Doug Kay and the Destroyers. But the Glenville State (W.V.) product made one request - one very odd request by Arena Football League standards - before signing with the up-and-coming Columbus organization.

Brown no longer wanted to play offense.

After two seasons playing the wide receiver/defensive back position, Brown had accumulated a mere 218 yards and three touchdowns on 15 career receptions. He quickly decided his road to AFL success ran through the other side of the ball.

Kay agreed. The decision paid immediate dividends.

The AFL honored the 25-year-old Brown on Tuesday (May 30), naming him the 2006 ADT Defensive Player of the Year. Brown earned All-Arena honors as a defensive specialist a week prior to this announcement.

"I always strive to be the best at whatever it is I do," Brown told ESPNEWS after winning the award. "I guess I've accomplished that at this level. I'm very grateful right now."

So are Destroyers fans.

Brown was second in the league with 11 interceptions and third with 133 INT-return yards during the regular season. He also led the Destroyers with 14 pass break-ups and was third on the team with 65.0 total tackles. Brown is the first Columbus player to earn an individual AFL postseason award.

Those impressive stats helped Columbus take great strides in 2006. The Destroyers finished with an 8-8 record and were not eliminated from playoff contention until Week 16.

The Destroyers have not clinched a playoff berth since relocating from Buffalo at the conclusion of the 2003 season.

Brown believes the best has yet to come. And it begins on defense.

"I told coach Kay that if I came to Columbus, I wanted to concentrate on defense," Brown said. "I knew what I could do at this level. It's a chess game out there. We have to pick the right defense at the right time for the right play."

For Brown and the Destroyers, this has definitely turned out to be the right defense at the right time.

Other players receiving votes included: RASHAD FLOYD (Colorado); COLSTON WEATHERINGTON (Dallas); EDDIE MOTEN (Philadelphia) and CLEVAN THOMAS (San Jose).

The ADT Player of the Year award is voted on by the Arena Football League Writers Association, AFL head coaches and fans.

ALL-TIME ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONOREES

2006: Jerald Brown (Columbus Destroyers)
2005: Silas Demary (Los Angeles Avengers)
2004: Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators)
2003: Clevan Thomas (San Jose SaberCats)
2002: Clevan Thomas (San Jose SaberCats)*
2001: Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators)
2000: Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators)
1999: James Baron (Nashville Kats)
1998: Johnnie Harris (Tampa Bay Storm)
1997: Tracey Perkins (Tampa Bay Storm)
1996: David McLeod (Albany Firebirds)

(Neil Fuller is a member of the Arena Football League Writers Association and currently covers the expansion Kansas City Brigade. Fuller previously covered the now-defunct Carolina Cobras for three seasons.)