'Birds Return to the Road this Weekend
March 27, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Firebirds play the first of three consecutive Central Division games this Saturday night when the team takes on the Dallas Desperados at Reunion Arena. Indiana's next three games could make or break the Firebirds' season as the second half of the regular season gets underway. The game will be televised live on UPN Indiana with kickoff slated for 8:30 pm. The game can also be heard on the Firebirds' Radio Network, which includes ESPN Radio 950 AM, WPZZ 95.9 FM "The Point", ESPN Radio 1130 (Brazil), and ESPN Radio 1300 (Terre Haute).
The Firebirds, who are currently in the middle of a five-game losing streak, return to the road where two of the team's three wins have come. Indiana will play on the road for only the second time in the last seven weeks. Despite the losing streak, the 'Birds enter Saturday's contest only two games behind Central Division leaders Dallas and Grand Rapids Rampage with half a season of football yet to be played. The 'Birds host the Rampage next Saturday, April 5th at Conseco Fieldhouse. It will be the Firebirds only home Saturday night contest of the season.
"Obviously with our struggles of late, any game that we can have an opportunity to win is important for us and being that it is a divisional game makes it a big one for us," said Firebirds' head coach Mike Dailey. "It will be a crucial game for us to begin making a push towards the playoffs.
The Indiana and Dallas series dates back to last season when the expansion Desperados swept the season series over the Firebirds 2-0, including Dallas' first postseason victory in franchise history. The two teams last met in the first round of the 2002 playoffs when the Desperados edged the 'Birds 47-46 at Reunion Arena. Trailing by seven late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Raymond Philyaw orchestrated a 45-yard drive which was capped off by a two-yard scamper by Philyaw to pull the 'Birds to within one point. Following the touchdown, the 'Birds decided to roll the dice and go for two and the win. Unfortunately, the ensuing two-point pass was batted down, preserving the win for Dallas.
Dallas has one of the most potent offenses in the Arena Football League, led by third-year veteran quarterback Jim Kubiak who is currently the second highest rated quarterback in the League. Through eight games Kubiak has 195 completions (3rd in AFL) on 283 attempts (3rd in AFL) for 2,423 yards (2nd in AFL) and 44 touchdowns (T-5th in AFL). Dallas OS Dialleo Burks and WR/LB Andy McCullough lead the Desperados' aerial attack after enjoying successful rookie campaigns a year ago.
Burks leads Dallas in receiving with 56 catches for 651 yards and ten touchdowns, followed by
McCullough who has caught 52 balls for 669 yards and eleven scores halfway through the regular season. The Desperados are coached by former Dallas Cowboys' Special Teams Coach, Joe Avezzano.
"Dallas is an excellent team with a high-powered offense and good pass rush on defense," said Dailey. "It is going to be a battle playing on the road and we will need to play well in all phases of the game to come out with a win to open up the second half of the season."
The Indiana defense will have its hands full on Saturday contending with the a Dallas offense that currently ranks second in the League in total offensive yards, averaging 310 yards per game and have the sixth ranked scoring offense averaging 53.4 points per game. In Dallas' five wins this season they have accumulated more total offensive yards then their opponent on each occasion. In the Desperados three losses, they have failed to out gain its opponent in two of those three games. Of the eight games played to this point, the Firebirds' defense has held its opponent under their season scoring average six times and currently has the sixth-best scoring defense in the League, giving up 45.4 points per game. The keys to victory for the Firebirds Saturday night are three-fold. One, get quarterback pressure on Kubiak, forcing him out of his comfort level, two, find a rhythm on offense and three, win the turnover battle. The Firebirds are 3-1 when they win the turnover battle and 0-3 when they turn the ball over more that their opponents.
With a win the Firebirds will avoid their sixth consecutive loss, which would be the longest losing streak in franchise history. After Saturday's meeting with Dallas, the 'Birds will face Central Division rivals the Grand Rapids Rampage and Dallas Desperados when they come into Conseco Fieldhouse over the course of the next two weeks.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 27, 2003
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- Avenger FB/LB Kevin Clemens to sign with Philadelphia Eagles - Los Angeles Avengers
- Buffalo Loses Starting QB Loots For The Season - Buffalo Destroyers
- Rush Activates Gispert, Signs Dillard - Chicago Rush
- 'Birds Return to the Road this Weekend - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- New York Dragons Game Notes - New York Dragons
- Rampage Return Home to Face Division Rival Chicago - Grand Rapids Rampage
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