2004 Carolina Cobras Preview
February 5, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC â With the memories of a disappointing 2003 season already in the rearview mirror, the Carolina Cobras make their final preparations for the start of the 2004 campaign with a brand new cast of players under the direction of one of the most experienced and accomplished coaching staffs in Arena Football League history.
A 42-year veteran of professional football, Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Eddie Khayat welcomes the challenge of building a winner in the city of Charlotte. The 1997 AFL Coach of the Year previously spent three seasons as general manager of the Nashville Kats, leading the team to two ArenaBowl appearances. He makes his return to the Cobras after serving as the Cobras interim head coach for the final three games of last season.
As he began preparations for the 2004 season, Khayat's first order of business was to surround himself with proven offensive and defensive strategists.
Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator John Gregory brings an offensive scheme that has averaged 52.8 points per game over his nine-year coaching career. A two-time AFL Coach of the Year, he led the Iowa-New York franchise to two ArenaBowls berths and four division titles. Defensive coordinator Ron Selesky served as the head coach of the Buffalo Destroyers franchise in 2003. He earned Coach of the Year honors in 2002 after leading the Albany Firebirds (af2) to a 13-3 record and a division title.
The Cobras coaching staff worked tirelessly throughout the offseason to compile a roster with a mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy. Entering the 2004 season, Carolina features 13 players with at least three seasons of experience and six first-year players. In an effort to quickly alter the squad, the Cobras attacked the free agent market quickly and often. The Cobras' opening day roster features 21 players acquired via free agency, one player by trade and one player that returns from last season (OL/DL Robert Stewart).
Following is a breakdown of what to expect from the new-look Cobras in 2004.
Second-year quarterback Matt Nagy takes the reigns of the Cobras offense this season. After spending two years working with the offense Gregory has implemented, Nagy has the talent and the intelligence to excel. After missing all of last year with a knee injury, he looks to recapture the magic of the 2002 season, when he completed 88 of 140 passes for 1,025 yards and 25 touchdowns in four starts. Seven-year veteran Rickey Foggie will provide vital experience and leadership from his backup role.
Former New York Dragons standout Todd Doxzon will begin the season as the Cobras starting offensive specialist. In three seasons in the Big Apple, Doxzon tallied 103 receptions for 1,482 yards and 41 touchdowns in just 30 career games. 2003 Team MVP Bernard Holmes will begin the season on the injured reserve list as he recovers from minor arthroscopic knee surgery.
The Cobras are excited to have three speedy playmakers at WR/DB, including All-Arena performer Jarrick Hillery. The four-year AFL veteran has proven to be a dangerous weapon as a rusher, receiver, defender and kick returner. In 2003, Hillery reeled in 57 receptions for 607 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 44 tackles and seven passes defended on defense. Damien Groce has also emerged as a dangerous playmaker. The third-year player posted career highs in receptions (48), receiving yards (573) and touchdowns last season in New York. Ernest Ross will also look to make an impact on defense and special teams.
AFL veterans Sir Mawn Wilson and Jack Walker Jr. are poised to make an impact at WR/LB in their first season with the Cobras. In 40 career games, Wilson has tallied 80 receptions for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense, while adding 43 tackles on defense. Walker is coming off a tremendous effort in 2003 as a member of af2's Peoria Pirates. The lanky WR/LB torched the league for 90 receptions for 1,442 yards and a league-high 45 touchdowns. He previously spent three seasons in the AFL with the Iowa-New York franchise.
Six-year AFL veteran and three-time All-Arena standout Damon Mason leads the Cobras defensive backfield into the 2004 season. He currently ranks third in AFL history with 501 career tackles, including three seasons with more than 100 tackles. The Cobras also expect big things from second-year defender Glenn Davis and rookie Daryon Brutley. Both players have excelled throughout training camp.
The Cobras have a talented trio at FB/LB, including AFL veterans Travis Reece and Chris Pope and rookie Troy Pelshak. A physical force with the Georgia Force and Nashville Kats, Reece will enter the season in the starter role. He was named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team in 2001 after leading the league with 190 rushing yards. Pope looks to build upon a career season in 2003 with Las Vegas, in which he posted 57 rushing yards and 14 tackles. Pelshak, who began training camp at OL/DL, looks to make an impact in the offensive and defensive backfield in his first season in the AFL.
Ten-year veterans Stewart and Otis Moore anchor a group of offensive and defensive lines that includes three first-year AFL players. Entering his sixth season, interior lineman Cory Stone will join Moore and Stewart on a starting line that has 280 games of experience over a combined 25 seasons of play.
The Cobras' line will also feature Sean Tremblay, in his seventh season, and Kendrick Gholston, who made the move north after one season with the Georgia Force. First-year lineman DeAngelo Lloyd has shown signs of being a dominating pass rusher in the AFL and has significantly developed his offensive blocking skills, while 2003 af2 Lineman of the Year Wes Stephens has displayed the explosiveness to excel along the defensive line and at the tight end position. A three-year starter with the NFL Arizona Cardinals, Yusuf Scott makes the transition to the two-way style of Arena Football.
Rob Bironas enters his first season in the AFL after posting career, season and team records for field goals made (12) and attempted (27) in 2002 with the Charleston Swamp Foxes (af2). Most recently, he spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2003 NFL preseason.
Following realignment, the new-look Cobras will go to battle in the Eastern Division with the Columbus Destroyers, Dallas Desperados, New York Dragons and Philadelphia Soul. AFL playoff rules determine that the top eight records in the 19-team league will make it to the postseason. Division winners do not automatically qualify for the playoffs.
The Cobras open the 2004 campaign on the road as they travel to the American Airlines Center to square off with the Desperados this Sunday, February 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Carolina will open their home schedule on Saturday, February 21 at the Charlotte Coliseum versus the Arizona Rattlers.
Single-game, season and group tickets are on sale now. For more information, call 877-4-COBRAS or visit www.cobrasfootball.com.
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