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Carolina Cobras Game Notes

March 28, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release


Quick Facts:

Carolina Radio: None
San Jose Radio: KNBR-680 AM (Bob Fitzgerald, Kenna Turner)
Carolina TV: None
San Jose TV: None
Preseason Series Record: San Jose leads, 1-0
Coaches: Mike Neu (Carolina); 1st season, 0-1 career record, 0-1 in 2001 (playoffs)
Darren Arbet (San Jose), 3rd season, 28-14 career record, 2-2 in 2001

The Game

The Cobras travel cross-country to open the 2002 preseason with a visit to the San Jose SaberCats on Friday, March 29, 10:30 p.m. (ET) at the Compaq Center. Carolina is 2-2 all-time in the preseason and will look to win their first road preseason game in franchise history (1-1 at home; 0-1 on the road; 1-0 on neutral field). First-year head coach Mike Neu will look to build on a nucleolus that finished 7-7 last season and earned the franchise's first-ever playoff berth.

What's Next

Carolina will host the Chicago Rush in their final preseason game on Saturday, April 6, 7 p.m. at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Raleigh, N.C. The Cobras open the 2001 regular season with a match-up against the expansion Dallas Desperados on Saturday, April 20, 7 p.m. at the ESA.

About the Cobras

Carolina heads to the West Coast in search of some answers. The biggest question heading into the 2002 season is "Who will be the starting quarterback?" Last season's starter Fred McNair was traded to the Buffalo Destroyers in the off-season, opening the door for three-year veteran Lance Funderburk (6-5, 225, Valdosta State) to take over the reins. However, coach Mike Neu signed eight-year AFL veteran Connell Maynor just prior to training camp. Both will see significant action during the preseason. Cobras' offensive specialist Aaron Bailey, who played for the NFL Indianapolis Colts from 1994-98, will be the go-to guy in 2002. Bailey played in just seven games last season but led the club with 61 catches for 915 yards and 19 TDs. Carolina also dipped into the free agent market and lured perennial AFL all-star WR/LB Cory Fleming to Raleigh. Fleming, who played the last five seasons in the AFL with the Nashville Kats, should provide another big-play threat on offense. Defensively, the Cobras will sport a new secondary with AFL veterans DS Clarence Lawson (Florida Bobcats) and DS Kevin Gaines (New Jersey Gladiators, Florida Bobcats) joining returning starter DS Carlos Brooks.

About the SaberCats

The SaberCats return the nucleus of a club that posted a 10-4 regular season mark before falling to the Nashville Kats in the semi-finals of the AFL playoffs. San Jose finished second in the league last season in scoring offense (58.4 ppg.) and total offense (322.0 ypg.). Quarterback's Mark Grieb and John Dutton both saw significant playing time last season, leading the SaberCats potent offensive attack. San Jose will be without their leading receiver form last season, James Roe (refused to report), but won't miss a beat with returnees Barry Wagner (58-745, 14 TD), James Hundon (45-720, 15 TD), Jerry Reese (27-491, 13 TD) and Shalon Baker (35-456, 5 TD). Up front the SaberCats have possibly the best pass rush in the league with linemen Sam Hernandez (3.0 sacks) and Darrin Kenney (2.0 sacks). OL/DL Joe Jacobs (2.0 sacks) will miss Friday's game (refused to report).

Cobras in the Preseason

Carolina has a franchise record of 2-2 in the preseason. The Cobras have finished with a 1-1 record in the preseason in each of their first two years in the AFL. Last year Carolina knocked off Oklahoma 42-29 (in Fayetteville, N.C.) and fell to San Jose 59-47 at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Raleigh.

The Last Time...San Jose 59, at Carolina 47 (April 5, 2001)

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 5, 2001)—The Carolina Cobras rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter before falling short, 59-47, to the San Jose SaberCats in preseason action at the Entertainment and Sports Arena. Cobras quarterback Fred McNair completed 13 of 19 passes to six different receivers for 134 yards and four touchdowns in his two quarters of work. But it was not enough as San Jose quarterback John Dutton completed a sparkling 20 of 25 passes for a game-high 260 yards and four touchdowns. Lance Funderburk had a strong outing in relief of McNair, connecting on 15 of 26 passes for 203 yards and three scores in the second half. WR/DB David McLeod paced the Cobras with 87 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions.

Same Faces, Different Places...Connections

Cobras head coach Mike Neu was a teammate of SaberCats WR/LB Barry Wagner with the AFL's Orlando Predators in 1996...San Jose OL/DL Brian Lytle played for the Cobras during the 2000 season...SaberCats OL/DL Mike Ulufale and Cobras WR/LB Rj Anderson both attended Brigham Young University (Anderson later transferred to South Florida)...Cobras QB Aaron Sparrow and SaberCats WR/LB James Roe (refused to report) were teammates at Norfolk State...San Jose rookie OL/DL George Williams (refused to report) attend N.C. State, as did Cobras OL/DL Carl Reeves.

Injury Report

CAROLINA- OUT- WR/LB Greg Harris (shoulder).

Carolina Cobras 2001 in Review

For the Carolina Cobras, their second season in the Arena Football League was a tale of two halves. The Cobras started the season 4-2 but finished the 2001 campaign on a sour note, losing 4 of their last 5 games. Their 7-7 regular season record was four wins better than their inaugural season (3-11) in 2000 and good enough to qualify the second-year club for their first-ever post-season berth. The roller coaster season took another unforeseen turn just three days before the club's first playoff appearance as head coach Doug Kay abruptly resigned. Mike Neu was appointed head coach and led the team in the playoffs against Indiana. Carolina entered the 2001 playoffs as the No. 12 seed and fell to the No. 5 seed Firebirds, 58-41, in the first round.

The Practice Schedule

The Cobras will continue with two-a-day practices beginning on Monday, April 1. Here's the upcoming practice schedule: (All practices outdoors at NC State Fairgrounds unless weather forces team indoors at Carolina SoccerPlex.)

Sun- Mar 31 Film Review 3:00 p.m. Mon- April 1 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (players/coaches available for interviews after second session)

Tue- April 2 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (players/coaches available for interviews after second session)

Wed- April 3 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (players/coaches available for interviews after second session)

Thu- April 4 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. (players/coaches available for interviews after second session)

Fri, April 5 9:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (players/coaches available for interviews after practice)

Sat, April 6 Preseason Game #2 vs. Chicago Rush, 7 p.m. at ESA

The Coaches...

Carolina: Mike Neu, 1st Season (0-0; 0-1 playoffs), First-year head coach Mike Neu was promoted from Cobras offensive coordinator on July 26, 2001, just three days before the club's first-ever playoff game. Neu stepped in for Doug Kay, who abruptly resigned after leading the Cobras to a 7-7 regular season finish. Neu, a veteran of Arena Football, signed a three-year contract in September 2001. At age 31 (12/9/70), he is the youngest head coach in the Arena Football League. Prior to joining the Cobras as offensive coordinator in 2001, Neu served as head coach and director of football operations for the Augusta Stallions of af2. He led the Stallions to an overall record of 14-4, including a 13-3 regular season finish and was named af2 Coach of the Year. A standout quarterback at Ball State University, Neu played in the CFL and with the Orlando Predators and Nashville Kats of the AFL.

San Jose: Darren Arbet, 4th Season (28-14; 2-2 playoffs)

Darren Arbet enters his fourth season at the helm of the SaberCats. He has led the ‘Cats to back-to-back winning seasons and consecutive playoff berths (12-2, 1-1 in 2000; 10-4, 1-1 in 2001). In just his second season as head coach, Arbet was named the Arena Football League's Coach of the Year after leading the SaberCats to a league record-tying 12 regular season wins and the No. 1 seed in the 2000 playoffs. San Jose also matched a league record with 11 consecutive regular season victories and posted its first-ever playoff win that season. An original member of the team's coaching staff, Arbet became the second head coach in team history, and ninth former Arena Football League player to be named head coach of an AFL franchise on January 13, 1999. Arbet joined the SaberCats for their inaugural season in 1995 as a defensive assistant and special teams coordinator.

Key Dates...

Monday, April 15...Twenty-four (24) man active roster and four (4) man practice squad must be turned into the League office. Saturday, April 20...Regular season opener vs. Dallas Desperados, 7 p.m. at ESA

Cobras News & Notes...

The Rotation...Head coach Mike Neu hasn't made his final decision on the complete quarterback rotation, but he did say that Lance Funderburk will start. Funderburk is expected to play at least the first quarter before giving way to Connell Maynor and Aaron Sparrow.

Now you see them, Now you don't...Don't expect to see Cobras OS Aaron Bailey, WR/LB Cory Fleming and FB/LB Marrio Grier much more than a few series on Friday night. Neu plans to take a look at some younger people during the preseason.

Rookie Flavor...Expect to see a lot of young faces in the line-up when the Cobras match-up with the SaberCats on Friday. The Cobras have seven rookies on the roster who have never stepped foot on an AFL field. Carolina has been at a disadvantage so far during training camp, not having the ability to get indoors for any practice sessions. For the young guys, it may take a few plays to get used to the quickness and the small confines of the 50-yard field. Cobras 2002 rookies: OL/DL Justin Cleveland (played in af2), FB/LB Anthony Connally (2001 Cobras practice squad), WR/DB Buddy Crutchfield, FB/LB Jimmy Freeman, WR/LB Jamaal Garman (af2), OL/DL Andre Purvis and FB/LB Jermaine Smith.

Hit the Ground Running...The Cobras did not have a lot of practice time to prepare for their first preseason game at San Jose. Players reported to camp last Thursday and Friday (March 21-22) and hit the practice field for the first time with two-a-day practices on Sunday morning (March 24). The club practiced twice on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before concluding with a short workout on Thursday (a total of just nine practice sessions).

Keep an Eye On...

CAROLINA- OL/DL Andre Purvis has been the talk of training camp so far. At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Purvis has been dominant in one-on-one and team drills. A former standout at UNC and a defensive lineman with the Cincinnati Bengals, Purvis will get his first taste of the AFL on Friday...WR/DB Nick Ward has also been impressive so far in camp. A safety at the University of Miami (Fla.), Ward has picked up the defensive scheme quickly and has also impressed the coaches with his knowledge of the offense. Ward was selected by the Cobras (from the Florida Bobcats) in the second round of the 2002 AFL Dispersal Draft.

Around the AFL...2002 PreSeason Schedule
Friday, March 29
Carolina at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 30
Buffalo at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3
Dallas at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 4
Georgia at Los Angeles (Bakersfield, CA), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 5
New Jersey at New York, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 6
Chicago at Carolina, 7:00 p.m.
Toronto at Grand Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
Orlando at Indiana, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9
Arizona at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11
Grand Rapids at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
New York at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 12
Tampa Bay at Orlando, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose at Georgia, , 7:30 p.m.
Indiana at New Jersey (Worcester, MA), 8:00 p.m.
Dallas at Arizona, 7:00 p.m.

All Times Local



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 28, 2002


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