New York Dragons game notes
May 16, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons return home in Week Twelve when the face the Kansas City Brigade on Sunday May 20th at 1:00pm. The Dragons faced the Brigade in 2006 which was Kansas City's first year in the league and New York was defeated 54-48. A win would tie the series at 1-1.
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons head to New Orleans in Week Thirteen to take on the VooDoo in a Monday night ESPN match-up at 8:00pm. This will be the first time the two teams meet.
DRAGONS' WEEK TWELVE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Thursday (5/17): 11:15-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Friday (5/18): 11:15-1:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Saturday (5/19): 10:00 Walk Thru at Mitchel Field Practice Facility.
To confirm the Dragons' practice schedule/time or to receive directions, please contact Kerri Griesbeck at 516-501-6889.
IF THE DRAGONS WIN, IT WOULD GIVE...
- The Dragons their 108th regular season victory and their 115th of all-time.
- The team their 52nd victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a 4-7 record and a 2-3 home record for the season.
GARCIA NAMED AFL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
QB Aaron Garcia was named the AFL's Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week Eleven's 69-49 victory over the Philadelphia Soul. In only his third game back after suffering a fractured tibia in Week Five of the 2006 season, Garcia recorded 22 completions on 34 attempts for 264 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions.
In his 13th season, Garcia has totaled 36,902 career passing yards and has thrown for 777 touchdowns. Last season, in five games he recorded 121 completions on 157 attempts for 1,417 yards and 32 touchdowns. Garcia was also the first quarterback to throw for 700 (April 29, 2005 at Dallas) and 750 (February 19, 2006 at Philadelphia) touchdowns. Dallas QB Clint Dolezel was first to reach the 800 milestone this season while Garcia was on the injured reserve but Garcia will continue to aim for 800 and to take back the reins in the leader boards.
HOLDER HAVING RECORD SEASON
In just ten games this season, DB Will Holder has set a career high in tackles with 47.0 heading into Week Twelve's match-up. Previously, his career high in total tackles was 37.0 which he recorded in the 2006 season. In addition, his four interceptions for 54 yards tops his previous career high of four interceptions for 39 yards in the 2005 season. With Six games remaining, Holder can continue to set new highs.
HORACEK CONTINUES TO CLIMB CHARTS
Mike Horacek became the eighth player in AFL history to reach the 10,000 receiving yards milestone in Week Seven versus Colorado. He accomplished this feat in 104 career AFL games. His 100th career game took place this season in Week Four at Tampa Bay. His 94 yards in Week Ten vs. Columbus moved him to the fifth spot all-time in the league, behind Harrell and Jackson.
Player Team Yards
Barry Wagner 13,363
Eddie Brown 12,730
Damian Harrell Colorado 11,337
Chris Jackson Georgia 10,928
Mike Horacek New York 10,510
Gary Compton 10,327
Greg Hopkins 10,300
Cory Fleming 10,217
Horacek also holds the league record for most receiving yards in a game with 285 when he accomplished the feat with the Iowa Barnstormers on July 15, 2000 versus Albany.
ALL-TIME 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES
Player Team Games
Eddie Brown Albany/Indiana 59
Barry Wagner San Jose 55
Damian Harrell Colorado 55
Chris Jackson Georgia 54
Mike Horacek New York 43
Calvin Schexnayder Arizona 40
AFL's ACTIVE PLAYERS CAREER 5-TD GAMES
Player Team Games
Chris Jackson Georgia 14
Damian Harrell Colorado 12
Siaha Burley Utah 9
Mike Horacek New York 7
Marcus Nash Dallas 7
Kevin Swayne New York 6
ANTHONY: AN IRONMAN ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Not only is Chris Anthony an outstanding athlete, but citizen as well. This Ironman kept busy this past offseason by starting his own non-profit organization called SpineLife. SpineLife assists athlete's who suffer sports related spinal cord injuries and head traumas. Anthony was first inspired after witnessing the tragic death of Al Lucas (Los Angeles Avengers) on the field during the Dragons game in Los Angeles in the 2005 season. Visit www.StandWithTravis.com to learn more about SpineLife's latest ventures.
BLAST FROM A PAST SEASON
DB Billy Parker returns to the Dragons for the 2007 season after spending the 2006 season on the Carolina Panthers Practice Squad. In 2005, Parker led the Dragons defense in interceptions and tied the franchise interception record with ten. He was also named to the All-Rookie and All-Arena teams as a DS in 2005.
STATISTICS:
A look at how New York and Kansas City match-up based on 2007 regular season statistics:
Statistical NEW YORK KANSAS CITY
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 17th 48.6 10th 52.2
Scoring Defense 12th 55.0 2nd 46.0
Total Offense (yds/g) 12th 286.5 6th 306.4
Total Defense (yds/g) 11th 294.4 1st 265.2
Pass Offense 12th 266.2 9th 276.2
Pass Defense 7th 266.9 1st 240.3
Rushing Offense 10th 20.3 2nd 30.2
Rushing Defense 19th 27.5 17th 24.9
Passer Rating 15th 102.0 2nd 125.8
Def. Passer Rating 5th 104.6 4th 98.3
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) T-4th 19.9 T-10th 17.5
MFG Returns 13th 9.7 11th 10.7
Turnover Margin 18th -10 3rd +9
Interceptions By 2nd 15-115 11th 11-119
Field Goals T-13th 5-12 18th 2-8
PATs 9th 57-65 19th 56-72
First Downs T-17th 188 8th 217
3rd Down Conversion 9th 30-61 3rd 32-58
4th Down Conversion 16th 6-14 2nd 13-18
Penalties (yds/g) 13th 51.2 14th 51.4
Sacks By 16th 7-44 14th 8-32
Sacks Against 14th 14-90 4th 4-25
Time of Possession 15th 28:49 12th 29:27
Red Zone Offense 18th 32-42 15th 47-58
Red Zone Defense T-13th 30-35 10th 44-53
2007 SCHEDULE
DATE TIME/SCORE OPPONENT
Sun, 3/4 L 60-7 vs. Dallas
Sun, 3/18 L 61-40 at Chicago
Fri, 3/23 W 59-52 at Tampa Bay
Sun, 4/1 L 65-60 vs. Philadelphia
Sat, 4/7 L 66-53 at Grand Rapids
Sun, 4/15 L 49-48 vs. Colorado
Fri, 4/20 L 52-47 at Orlando
Sat, 4/28 W 67-45 vs. Arizona
Fri, 5/4 L 51-42 at Columbus
Mon, 5/14 W 69-49 at Philadelphia
Sun, 5/20 1:00 vs. Kansas City
Mon, 5/28 8:00 at New Orleans
Sat, 6/2 7:00 vs. Austin
Sat, 6/9 7:00 vs. Orlando
Sat, 6/16 8:30 at Dallas
Sat, 6/23 7:00 vs. Columbus
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NEW YORK'S 50TH VICTORY
Week Nine not only marked Aaron Garcia's return to the active roster, but also the Dragons 50th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001. Head coach Weylan Harding was a part of 22 wins with the Dragons and Garcia was a part of 38 wins.
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NYD-KCB CONNECTIONS:
DaShane Dennis started off the 2007 season with the Kansas City Brigade before returning to the Dragons.
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DRAGONS KICKED OFF SEASON AT HOME
Since moving to Long Island, the Dragons have kicked off the season at home three times: 2001, 2005 and 2006. In each of those seasons, the Dragons have made the playoffs.
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ORIGINAL DRAGONS
WR Kevin Swayne has been the property of the Dragons for all seven seasons, however he spent two seasons on the exempt list from 2002-2004. After a successful 2001 campaign, he was signed by the NFL's New York Jets and stayed there for three seasons. He returned to the Dragons mid-way through the 2004 season. Swayne also suited up for the Barnstormers from 1998-1999.
WR/LB Mike Horacek is the only other player (other then Aaron Garcia) to have played for both the Barnstormers and the Dragons. From 1997 to 2000, Horacek split time as a WR/DB and an OS with Iowa. He was the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, his last with the team until he was selected in 2004 Dispersal Draft. The 2007 season is his third with the Dragons, but seventh with the franchise.
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RETURNING DRAGONS
The Dragons have 9 players on their active roster that have played for the Dragons in previous seasons. Dragons from the 2006 season who return are: WR/LB Chris Anthony, QB Aaron Garcia, DB Will Holder, WR/LB Mike Horacek, OL/DL Joe Laudano, FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms, WR Kevin Swayne and OL/DL Paul White. DB Billy Parker also returns after leaving the Dragons following the 2005 season.
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DENNIS RETURNS TO DRAGONS
DB DaShane Dennis returns to the Dragons (where he spent his 2005 and 2006 seasons) after spending the first Six Weeks of this season with Kansas City. Despite the Dragons 49-48 loss to Colorado, Dennis had a successful first week back recording 4 kickoff returns for 94 yards and a touchdown, one field goal return for nine yards and 4.5 tackles.
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ARENABOWL XXI
New Orleans will host ArenaBowl XXI at New Orleans Arena on Sunday, July 29 at 3:00pm EST. This will be the first championship game held in New Orleans since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
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ARENA-BRED COACHES
The Dragons are the only team in the league to have their entire coaching staff comprised of former AFL players. All Five coaches have, in total, a combined 29 years of AFL playing experience and another combined 23-plus years as coaches.
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