ARENA FOOTBALL

• Johnson, Greisen & Varner earn weekly honors

  Courtesy of Arena Football League Tulsa, OK (Sports Network) - Alabama wide receiver CJ JOHNSON, Milwaukee quarterback CHRIS GREISEN and Iowa defensive back TANNER VARNER have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 5 of 2010. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week, and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week Award for Week 5 goes to Utah wide receiver CHRIS FRANCIES, while Tampa Bay's wide receiver DEANDREW RUBIN has been named the Playmaker of the Week. The highlight of the week award has gone to Cleveland's wide receiver BRENT HOLMES.

  JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK Johnson (5-10, 185, Tennessee State) did everything he could to get Alabama on the board in their upset win over previously undefeated Milwaukee. Johnson made seven catches for 91 yards on the game, leading the team in both receptions and yards. He also led the team in receiving touchdowns with three. Johnson continued to be a strong presence on kick-offs, returning three for 71 yards. Currently, Johnson leads the league in kick-off return yards with 469. He is averaging 22 yards per carry.

  RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Greisen (6-3, 220, NW Missouri St) continues to be one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and his Week 5 performance only solidified that standing. Greisen threw 31-of-44 (70%), his second highest completion rate this season, for 366 yards and nine touchdowns. Currently he is averaging 336.5 yards of offense per game, second most in the league. Greisen also has yet to throw an interception in Milwaukee's four games played so far this season. His nine touchdowns scored versus Alabama tied his season high.

  RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Varner (6-0, 220, UNI) was unstoppable in this weekend's NFL Network Game of the Week. The defensive back set the tone early, intercepting Orlando's WB Nick Hill in the first quarter for a seven yard interception return for a touchdown. Varner went on to nab another interception in the first quarter. Overall, Varner tallied 15 tackles (14 unassisted, 2 assisted), a tackle for loss and two passes defended. Varner has made three interceptions so far this season, second most in the league.

  05/04 15:52:24 ET