Carolina Cobras game notes
February 16, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Carolina Cobras (2-0) vs. Arizona Rattlers (0-2)
Date: February 21, 2004
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Charlotte Coliseum (12,229)
Officials: Jerome Boger (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire), Rod Pearson (Head Linesman), Dennis Lipski (Line Judge), Rich Wilborn (Back Judge)
Series Record: Arizona leads all-time series (4-0)
Coaches: Carolina: Eddie Khayat (5th Season, 25-18)
Arizona: Danny White (13th Season, 110-52)
THE SERIES: Arizona leads all-time series 4-0
Arizona 62, vs. Carolina 22, April 26, 2003
Arizona 61, vs. Carolina 59, August 4, 2002 (playoffs)
Arizona 48, at Carolina 42, June 7, 2002 (OT)
Arizona 44, vs. Carolina 42, July 8, 2001
THE IFs: If the Cobras defeat the Rattlers it would:
...Give the Cobras the first 3-0 start in team history.
...Give the Cobras their first three-game winning streak since April 26-May 11, 2002.
...Give the Cobras their first-ever win against Arizona.
COBRAS LAST WEEK: Matt Nagy found Damien Groce open in the back of the end zone for a six-yard touchdown with no time on the clock to cap a dramatic 54-53 come-from-behind victory for the Cobras. Trailing 50-34 with one minute remaining in the third quarter, the Cobras responded with three touchdown passes from Nagy and a defense that forced a fumble and blocked a field goal to keep the Destroyers off the board for much of the final frame. Nagy finished the game 26-of-39 for 296 yards and five touchdowns. He also had a one-yard scoring run in the first quarter. Todd Doxzon had 10 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Groce finished with seven catches for 91 yards and three scores.
RATTLERS LAST WEEK: For the first time since 1993, the Arizona Rattlers dropped to 0-2 after falling 48-31 to the Detroit Fury. Detroit QB Andy Kelly threw for 204 yards and four touchdowns as the Fury handed the Rattlers their first back-to-back home losses since 2001. Sherdrick Bonner completed 18-of-34 passes for 240 yards and two scores, while Siaha Burley led Arizona with 10 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
CAROLINA COBRAS (2-0)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Feb. 8 at Dallas 3:00 W 67-41
Feb. 13 at Columbus 7:00 W 54-53
Feb. 21 ARIZONA 7:30
Feb. 28 ORLANDO 7:30
Mar. 7 at Austin 3:00
Mar. 14 DALLAS 3:00
Mar. 21 TAMPA BAY 3:00
Mar. 27 at New Orleans 8:00
Apr. 4 NEW YORK 3:00
Apr. 11 at Indiana 3:00
Apr. 17 PHILADELPHIA 7:30
May 1 COLUMBUS 7:30
May 8 at New York 7:00
May 15 at Philadelphia 7:30
May 22 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30
May 30 at Georgia 4:00
ARIZONA RATTLERS (0-2)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Feb. 7 LOS ANGELES 3:00 L 32-51
Feb. 13 DETROIT 9:00 L 31-48
Feb. 21 at Carolina 7:30
Feb. 29 NEW YORK 3:00
Mar. 5 COLUMBUS 9:00
Mar. 14 at Las Vegas 6:00
Mar. 18 NEW ORLEANS 9:00
Mar. 27 at Colorado 9:00
Apr. 4 at Grand Rapids 3:00
Apr. 10 LAS VEGAS 10:00
Apr. 18 DALLAS 3:00
Apr. 25 at Indiana 3:00
May 1 at Los Angeles 10:30
May 9 SAN JOSE 3:00
May 15 at Detroit 7:30
May 30 at San Jose 4:00
THIS WEEK'S AFL SCHEDULE:
Saturday Columbus @ Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Sunday San Jose @ Los Angeles 3:00 p.m.
Colorado @ Chicago 3:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay @ Austin 3:00 p.m.
New Orleans @ Georgia 3:00 p.m.
Dallas @ New York 3:00 p.m.
Las Vegas @ Grand Rapids 3:00 p.m.
Monday Indiana @ Detroit 7:30 p.m.
HEAD COACHES: A 42-year veteran of professional football, Eddie Khayat begins his first full season as head coach of the Cobras. He originally took over as interim head coach for the final three games of the 2003 campaign. Khayat (25-18) first joined the indoor game in 1991 when he was named head coach of the New Orleans Night. He returned to the AFL in 1997 as head coach of the expansion Nashville Kats and was named AFL Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 10-6 mark and an Eastern Division title. After another playoff appearance with the Kats in 1998, he handed over the coaching reigns a year later when he took over as general manager. In three years as general manager, Nashville made the playoffs each year and advanced to the ArenaBowl in both 2000 and 2001. Khayat previously spent 35 years as a player and coach in the National Football League.
Danny White is the first and only head coach and general manager for the Rattlers. Entering his 13th season at the helm, White (110-52) has led Arizona to ArenaBowl berths in 1994, 1997, 2002 and 2003, emerging as title winners in 1994 and 1997. White previously starred at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, posting a 67-35 record and holds team records for completions and touchdown passes. He spent two seasons with the Memphis Southmen of the WFL following his graduation from Arizona State.
LAST COBRAS-RATTLERS MEETING:
Arizona 62, Carolina 22 (4/26/03 at Arizona)
Top Passer: Sherdrick Bonner (ARI) 12-20-171 (4 TD)
Top Receiver: Hunkie Cooper (ARI) 5-54 (TD)
Top Rusher: Bo Kelly (ARI) 4-19 (TD)
The Cobras dropped their 13th consecutive contest as the Arizona Rattlers easily recorded a 62-22 home victory in front of 12,611 at America West Arena. After trailing by only six at the break, the Cobras committed four turnovers and were outscored 34-0 in the second half. It was the Cobras' second straight 40-point defeat. Sherdrick Bonner completed 12-of-20 passes for 171 yards and four touchdowns for the Rattlers. Bernard Holmes registered his 10th consecutive game with 200 or more all-purpose yards for the Cobras with 230 total yards. He had four receptions for 47 yards to go along with 181 kickoff return yards, including a 57-yard return for a touchdown on the first play of the game. After starting the game at OS, Robert Hall moved to quarterback in the second half and completed 6-of-14 passes for 73 yards, but threw three interceptions.
COBRAS NEXT WEEK: The Cobras host Jay Gruden and the Orlando Predators on Saturday, February 28 in their second consecutive home contest. Orlando (0-2) holds a 6-0 advantage in the team's all-time series. The two teams spent the last two seasons as Southern Division rivals.
TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how Carolina and Arizona match up after two weeks of play.
Statistical CAROLINA ARIZONA
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 1st 60.5 19th 31.5
Scoring Defense 9th 47.0 12th 49.5
Total Offense 2nd 310.0 15th 237.0
Total Defense 12th 261.5 5th 229.0
Pass Offense 2nd 289.0 T-8th 230.0
Pass Defense 14th 248.0 3rd 199.5
Run Offense T-10th 21.0 19th 7.0
Run Defense 5th 13.5 15th 29.5
LEAGUE LEADERS: The following players rank among the league leaders after two weeks of action in 2004.
Player Stat Total Rank
Matt Nagy Pass Attempts 78 2nd
Pass Comp. 54 1st
Pass Yards 578 1st
Pass TDs 11 5th
Todd Doxzon Receptions 20 2nd
Rec. Yards 225 3rd
Rec. TDs 5 T-3rd
Damien Groce Receptions 13 T-12th
Rec. Yards 149 18th
Rec. TDs 5 T-3rd
Rob Bironas Scoring (kick) 23 T-1st
Travis Reece Rush Yards 32 5th
COBRAS MILESTONES:
OS Todd Doxzon needs:
⢠4 receiving touchdowns to reach 50
WR/DB Damien Groce needs:
⢠140 receiving yards to reach 1,000
WR/DB Jarrick Hillery needs:
⢠272 receiving yards 2,500
⢠17 receiving TDs for 50
⢠9 rush attempts for 100
⢠5 tackles for 150
OL/DL Otis Moore needs:
⢠5.5 tackles for 125
⢠2.5 sacks for 20
FB/LB Travis Reece needs:
⢠16 rush attempts for 150
⢠71 rushing yards for 500
OL/DL Robert Stewart needs:
⢠2.0 tackles for 125
⢠.5 sack for 40
WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson needs:
⢠15 receptions for 100
⢠74 receiving yards for 1,000
COBRAS IN AFL HISTORY:
Player Rank Category Stat
Rickey Foggie 9th pass attempts 2,409
10th pass completions 1,354
10th pass yards 16,950
10th pass TDs 305
Damon Mason 3rd tackles 516.5
3rd forced fumbles 19
Otis Moore 10th tackles for loss 15.5
6th forced fumbles 12
Robert Stewart 3rd sacks 39.5
SNAKE BITES:
Fast Start: The Cobras record stands at 2-0 for the first time since the club defeated New Jersey and Detroit in the first two weeks of the 2001 season. Carolina has never begun a season with three consecutive victories.
Trifecta: With a victory over the Arizona Rattlers, Carolina would equal the longest winning streak in team history at three games. The Cobras previously secured three straight wins from April 26 through May 11 in the 2002 campaign.
For Openers: Entering Saturday's match-up with Arizona, Carolina holds a 1-3 mark in home openers. Many of the contests have been close, however, as the Cobras have lost by an average of 8.7 points, including a five-point defeat (49-44) at the hands of the Detroit Fury in 2003. Arizona has won six of 12 road openers in its lengthy history.
Out of the Gates: In each of the season's first two weeks, the Cobras jumped out to an early 14-0 lead with the help of an opportunistic defense. In the season opener, WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. recovered a fumbled kickoff return for a TD, and last week, WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson returned an interception 32 yards for a score. Overall, Carolina has outscored its opponents 38-14 in the first quarter, including a franchise-record 21-point effort in the season opener at Dallas.
End of the Story: The Cobras have shown the ability to play at their best when it matters the most, the fourth quarter. In the first two games, Carolina has surrendered an average of 39.5 yards in the final frame, allowing only three total points. The defense has forced three fumbles and an interception in the period. On the other hand, Arizona has yet to score in the fourth quarter this season.
Hold On Tight: Carolina is the only team in the league that has not turned the ball over thus far in 2004. The Cobras defense has forced a league-high seven turnovers, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions, for a league-best plus-seven turnover ratio.
Two for the Road: The Cobras 2-0 record is impressive for several reasons. First, both victories were on the road and came against Eastern Division competition. Also, four of the five teams that began the season 2-0 in 2003 qualified for the playoffs.
Comeback: In last week's come-from-behind victory over the Columbus Destroyers, Carolina outscored their opponent 13-3 in the final quarter and 20-3 in the final 16 minutes of the game. It was only the second victory in 35 games in which the team trailed entering the final quarter.
Frequent Flyer: Cobras QB Matt Nagy continues to impress in his first extended period starting behind center. Named as the AFL's Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for seven touchdowns in the season opener, Nagy ranks among the league leaders with 78 pass attempts (2nd), 54 pass completions (1st), 578 passing yards (1st) and 11 touchdowns (5th). He has also recorded two short runs for a score. In six career starts, the former New York Dragon has passed for 1,603 yards and 36 touchdowns.
He Roxz: OS Todd Doxzon is off to a quick start in the 2004 season. Currently ranked among the league leaders with 20 pass receptions (2nd), 225 yards (3rd) and five touchdowns (T-3rd), he has posted a career-high 10 catches in each of Carolina's first two games. Overall, he has notched 46 touchdown receptions in only 32 career games (1.4 TD/game).
Kicking Tail: Another of the bright spots for the Cobras has been the emergence of first-year K Rob Bironas. One of seven rookies for Carolina, he is tied for the league lead among kickers with 23 points scored. He has displayed a strong leg on kickoffs and field goals, notching a league-high seven touchbacks. A year ago, Bironas racked up 94 points in 12 games with the Charleston Swamp Foxes of af2. He set career, season and team records by connecting on 12 of 27 field goal attempts.
On the Offensive: The Cobras offense is largely responsible for the quick turnaround from the disappointment of 2003. After posting a league-low 34.6 points per game last season, Carolina currently leads the AFL with an average of 60.5 points. The team has exceeded last year's high of 48 points scored in each of the first two games of the 2004 season.
Many Un-Happy Returns: One sore spot for the Cobras has been their inability to cover kickoff returns. Carolina has surrendered a kickoff return for a TD in both contests thus far (Sedrick Robinson, CMB; Will Pettis, DAL) and currently ranks last in the league, allowing 26.3 yards per return. Cobras' opponents have begun their drives on average at the 21-yard line.
Return to Sender: Equally as troubling has been the Cobras kickoff returns. On average, the Cobras have started their drives on their own 8-yard line. Through two games, Carolina has averaged only 13.3 yards per return. WR/DB Jarrick Hillery posted the team's longest return of the season at Columbus, 26 yards.
Streak Buster: The Cobras put an end to a franchise and league record 17-game losing streak with their victory in the season opener on Saturday, February 8 at Dallas. The Cobras 26-point margin of victory (67-41) was the largest in Desperados' history.
Tackle Machine: DS Damon Mason, who notched a team-high 11.5 tackles against Columbus, has proven to be one of the most productive defenders in AFL history. A three-time All-Arena selection, he ranks third all-time with 515.5 career tackles in his seven-year career. Overall, he holds three of the top four single-season tackle totals in league history.
Player Yr UA A Total
Cornelius Coe (IND) 2001 102 39 121.5
Damon Mason (ORL) 2000 100 16 108.0
Damon Mason (ORL) 1999 90 26 103.0
Damon Mason (ORL) 2001 87 28 101.0
Sidelined Specialist: Following a spectacular 2003 campaign, OS Bernard Holmes will be forced to spend the opening weeks of the season on the Cobras' sidelines after being placed on the injured list after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Holmes set six single-season franchise records last season as he led the league with 240.1 all-purpose yards per game.
Jack in the Box: WR/LB's Sir Mawn Wilson and Jack Walker Jr. have made their presence felt on offense and defense early in 2004. Wilson has caught five passes for 46 yards on offense and posted only the eighth interception return in Cobras' history against Columbus. Walker has added seven catches for 60 yards and a fumble recovery for a TD in the season opener at Dallas.
On the Receiving End: The Cobras are employing Offensive Coordinator John Gregory's offensive attack with the help of a trio of fast, intelligent receivers. OS Todd Doxzon (20 rec.â225 yds-5 TD), WR/DB Damien Groce (13-149-5) and WR/DB Jarrick Hillery (7-86-1) have led the Cobras attack. The threesome has combined for 402 receptions, 4,795 yards and 97 receiving touchdowns in only 111 career games.
Have We Met?: The Cobras have experienced a very dramatic makeover following the disappointments of the 2003 season. Only one player from last year's squad will be on the field in the third week of 2004, OL/DL Robert Stewart. 2003 Team MVP Bernard Holmes is on the injured reserve list after undergoing knee surgery. Of the 22 remaining players on the active roster, 21 were signed as free agents. The only player not acquired in the free agency frenzy was QB Matt Nagy, who joined the Cobras via trade from the New York Dragons in exchange for OL/DL Tim McGill.
Head South Young Man: Joining Gregory in making the move to Charlotte are six former New York Dragons. OS Todd Doxzon, WR/DB Damien Groce, QB Matt Nagy and OL/DL Sean Tremblay all spent the 2003 season in the Big Apple, while OL/DL Cory Stone and WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. previously spent time with Gregory in the Nassau Coliseum. OL/DL Robert Stewart appeared in 28 games with the Dragons in 2001 and 2002.
Experienced Linemen: The Cobras boast one of the most experienced starting offensive/defensive lines in the entire AFL. Otis Moore, Robert Stewart and Cory Stone have appeared in 286 career games over a combined 29 seasons of play. The starting group, along with six-year veteran OL/DL Sean Tremblay, will look to provide leadership to a line that also includes three first-year AFL players and one second-year player.
Lineman Exp Games Teams
Otis Moore* 11 118 7
Robert Stewart* 11 122 6
Sean Tremblay 7 61 3
Cory Stone* 6 46 5
*denotes starter
Look What the Kat Dragged In: Cobras WR/DB Jarrick Hillery and FB/LB Travis Reece have been reunited with Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Eddie Khayat. Khayat served as general manager of the Nashville Kats during the duo's time with the franchise in 2000 and 2001. In both seasons, the trio led the Kats to an ArenaBowl appearance.
FAMILIAR FACES: The Rattlers roster features former Cobras DS Clarence Lawson (2002) and OL/DL Kelvin Ingram (2003) and FB/LB Bo Kelly (2000)...Lawson ranks third on the Cobras all-time list with 73.0 tackles...Kelly ranks third on the Cobras all-time list with 116 rushing yards.
COBRAS PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Matt Nagy: The second-year quarterback has made an immediate impact in his first season with the Cobras, accounting for 13 touchdowns through two weeks of play. Overall, Nagy has completed 54-of-78 passes for 578 yards and 11 scores. He earned AFL Offensive Player of the Week honors after passing for 282 yards and accounting for seven touchdowns in the Cobras' season-opening victory at Dallas (2/8/03). Prior to missing the 2003 season with a knee injury, Nagy enjoyed a successful 2002 campaign with the New York Dragons, completing 88 of 140 passes for 1,025 yards and 25 touchdowns in four starts.
OS Todd Doxzon: Doxzon continues to show the knack for finding the end zone that made him a valuable commodity in the offseason free agent market. The former Iowa State standout reeled in a career-high 10 receptions in each of the first two contests of the 2004 season. In those games, he has piled up 225 yards and five touchdowns receiving.
WR/DB Damien Groce: Groce has emerged as a dangerous weapon as a receiver and kick returner this season. Through two games, he has 13 catches for 149 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winning score last Friday at Columbus. Groce first proved himself to be an offensive threat in 2003, registering career highs with 48 receptions, 573 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns with the New York Dragons.
The Making of the Cobras:
Player Pos. Previous Team
1 Jarrick Hillery WR/DB Georgia (AFL)
3 Damien Groce WR/DB New York (AFL)
5 Rob Bironas K Charleston (af2)
6 Sir Mawn Wilson WR/LB Buffalo (AFL)
7 Todd Doxzon OS New York (AFL)
9 Damon Mason DS Las Vegas (AFL)
11 Matt Nagy QB New York (AFL)
14 Rickey Foggie QB Toronto/Detroit (AFL)
22 Ernest Ross WR/DB Detroit (AFL)
24 Glenn Davis DS Orlando (AFL)
26 Jack Walker Jr. WR/LB Peoria (af2)
27 Daryon Brutley DS Philadelphia (NFL)
32 Chris Pope FB/LB Las Vegas (AFL)
35 Travis Reece FB/LB Georgia (AFL)
44 Wes Stephens OL/DL Tenn. Valley (af2)
57 Sean Tremblay OL/DL New York (AFL)
65 Cory Stone OL/DL New York (AFL)
66 Yusuf Scott OL/DL Berlin (NFLE)
77 Robert Stewart OL/DL Carolina
90 DeAngelo Lloyd OL/DL Washington (NFL)
91 Troy Pelshak FB/LB Barcelona (NFLE)
92 Kendrick Gholston OL/DL Georgia (AFL)
99 Otis Moore OL/DL Buffalo (AFL)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
January 31: Waived OL/DL Jason Geter, WR/DB Audrae Harris, OL/DL Chris Royle, OS Ernest Simms and OL/DL Greg Walls. Placed WR/DB Lenzie Jackson on injured reserve list.
February 2: Traded OS James Bowden to Orlando for future considerations. Waived WR/LB D.J. Humphries, QB Charlie Peterson and OL/DL Bryan Ray.
February 4: Signed WR/LB D.J. Humphries, QB Charlie Peterson and OL/DL Bryan Ray to practice squad.
INJURY UPDATES: OS Bernard Holmes and WR/DB Lenzie Jackson remain out with knee injuries.
COBRAS INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
OL/DL Yusuf Scott Calf Probable
WR/DB Damien Groce Shoulder Probable
K Rob Bironas Shoulder Probable
FB/LB Travis Reece Leg Probable
OS Bernard Holmes Knee IR
WR/DB Lenzie Jackson Knee IR
AFL STANDINGS
National Conference
EASTERN Win Loss Tie PF PA
Carolina 2 0 0 121 94
Columbus 1 1 0 107 102
New York 1 1 0 108 84
Dallas 0 1 0 41 67
Philadelphia 0 1 0 34 42
SOUTHERN Win Loss Tie PF PA
New Orleans 2 0 0 83 74
Austin 1 0 0 49 48
Georgia 1 1 0 98 116
Tampa Bay 1 1 0 114 111
Orlando 0 2 0 89 101
American Conference
CENTRAL Win Loss Tie PF PA
Chicago 2 0 0 106 84
Colorado 2 0 0 98 79
Detroit 1 1 0 91 89
Indiana 0 2 0 88 95
Grand Rapids 0 2 0 67 105
WESTERN Win Loss Tie PF PA
Los Angeles 2 0 0 113 87
San Jose 1 0 0 58 43
Arizona 0 2 0 63 99
Las Vegas 0 2 0 97 105
BABY RUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Wk Player Team
1 Matt Nagy CAR
2 Cornelius White CMB
ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME:
Wk Player Team
1 Travis Reece CAR
2 Wilkie Bazile CMB
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Wk Player Team
1 Damon Mason CAR
2 N/A CMB
THE COBRAS THIS SEASON ARE:
0-0 at home
2-0 on the road
2-0 vs. Eastern Division
0-0 vs. Central Division
0-0 vs. Southern Division
0-0 vs. Western Division
1-0 on Fridays
0-0 on Saturday
1-0 on Sundays
2-0 in February
0-0 in March
0-0 in April
0-0 in May
0-0 in televised games on NBC
1-0 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
1-0 when trailing at the half
1-0 when leading after 3 quarters
0-0 when tied after 3 quarters
1-0 when trailing after 3 quarters
0-0 outcome 7 points or less
1-0 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games
2-0 when the Cobras score first
0-0 when opponent scores first
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