Sports stats



Carolina Cobras game notes

March 23, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Carolina Cobras (3-4) at New Orleans VooDoo (6-1)
Date: March 27, 2004
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m.
Site: New Orleans Arena (15,500)
Officials: Jerome Boger (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire), Rusty Spindel (Head Linesman), Dennis Lipski (Line Judge), Rich Wilborn (Back Judge)
Series Record: First meeting
Coaches: Carolina: John Gregory (10th season, 67-48)
New Orleans: Mike Neu (2nd season, 12-9)


THE IFs: If the Cobras defeat the VooDoo it would:
...Give the Cobras a two-game winning streak.
...Give the Cobras a 3-1 road record this season.
...Give the Cobras a 2-2 record vs. South Division.

COBRAS LAST WEEK: Wide receiver/defensive back Jarrick Hillery led a strong defensive and special teams effort as the Carolina Cobras secured a 54-43 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm Sunday afternoon at the Charlotte Coliseum, snapping a 16-game home losing streak. The Cobras forced three turnovers and scored three special teams touchdowns en route to the team's first home victory in front of the fans of Charlotte. Facing a 29-21 halftime deficit, the Cobras scored 24 unanswered points in the third quarter to take an insurmountable 45-29 advantage. Carolina's defense held Tampa Bay to only six total yards in the frame, while the offense capitalized with three consecutive scoring drives. and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by ADT Defensive Player of the Game, WR/LB Jack Walker Jr.

VOODOO LAST WEEK: Dan Curran's one-yard run with 57 seconds left in the game lifted the New Orleans VooDoo to a 49-45 victory over the Arizona Rattlers in the America West Arena. The VooDoo were paced by a five-TD effort by OS Aaron Bailey as he scored four times on scoring catches and added a 55-yard kickoff return for a TD against the Rattlers in the second half. Bailey caught nine passes for 103 yards and added 139 yards on six kickoff returns as he took Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game honors. Curran, who rushed four times for 70 yards and two TDs, added three tackles to receive the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game.

CAROLINA COBRAS (2-4)
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 L 38-45
Feb. 28 ORLANDO 7:30 L 43-59
Mar. 7 at Austin 3:00 L 55-56
Mar. 13 DALLAS 7:30 L 52-77
Mar. 21 TAMPA BAY 3:00 W 54-43
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

NEW ORLEANS VOODOO (6-1)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
Feb. 8 at Philadelphia 3:00 W 42-34
Feb. 14 INDIANA 3:00 W 41-40
Feb. 22 at Georgia 3:00 W 55-52
Feb. 29 at Las Vegas 3:00 L 30-50
Mar. 7 TAMPA BAY 12:00 W 55-43
Mar. 12 DETROIT 8:00 W 45-31
Mar. 18 at Arizona 9:00 W 49-45
Mar. 27 CAROLINA 8:00
Apr. 9 at Orlando 7:30
Apr. 18 COLUMBUS 3:00
Apr. 25 at Austin 3:00
May 1 at San Jose 10:30
May 9 ORLANDO 3:00
May 15 GEORGIA 8:00
May 23 at Tampa Bay 3:00
May 30 AUSTIN 4:00

THIS WEEK'S AFL SCHEDULE:
Friday Grand Rapids @ Indiana 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles @ San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Saturday Tampa Bay @ Georgia 7:00 p.m.
Las Vegas @ Orlando 7:30 p.m.
Arizona @ Colorado 9:00 p.m.
Sunday Philadelphia @ Austin 3:00 p.m.
Detroit @ Chicago 3:00 p.m.

HEAD COACHES: A two-time Arena Football League Coach of the Year, John Gregory (67-48) guided the Iowa Barnstormers/New York Dragons franchise to two ArenaBowl berths and four Central Division titles in his nine seasons from 1995 to 2003. He ranks among the all-time coaching leaders in AFL history with 72 career wins (6th), 126 games coached (5th) and six postseason victories (5th). His teams have qualified for the playoffs six times and advanced to the ArenaBowl twice (1996, 1997). Gregory was named AFL Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1996. Gregory's offenses have averaged 52.8 points per game over his career. His 2001 club in New York set an AFL scoring record with 64.1 points per outing, including a league-record 99 points on July 7, 2001 against the Cobras.

Mike Neu (12-9), a former collegiate and professional quarterback and five-year AFL coaching veteran, leads the New Orleans VooDoo during their expansion campaign. Most recently, Neu served as the head coach of the Carolina Cobras during the 2002 season, guiding the team to its second straight playoff berth. He originally joined the Cobras as the offensive coordinator in 2001, before being promoted to head coach late in the season. Neu began his coaching career as QB coach with the Nashville Kats in 1998. After spending the 1999 campaign at offensive coordinator, he received his first head coaching position with the Augusta Stallions of af2. Prior to his coaching career, Neu spent time at quarterback for the Orlando Predators (1996) and Nashville Kats (1997).

COBRAS NEXT WEEK: The Cobras return to the friendly confines of the Charlotte Coliseum to host the New York Dragons on Sunday, April 4 at 3:00 p.m. It will mark the first meeting for Carolina Head Coach John Gregory since his dismissal from New York four games into the 2003 season. Gregory spent nine seasons as head coach of the New York/Iowa Barnstormers franchise before joining the Cobras this season. He is joined on the 2004 Carolina roster by seven former Dragons, including QB Matt Nagy, OS Todd Doxzon and WR/DB Damien Groce.

COBRAS IN AFL HISTORY:
Player Rank Category Stat
Rickey Foggie 9th pass attempts 2,416
10th pass completions 1,357
10th pass yards 16,989
10th pass TDs 306
Damon Mason 3rd tackles 549.0
3rd forced fumbles 19
Otis Moore 10th tackles for loss 15.5
6th forced fumbles 12
Robert Stewart 3rd sacks 39.5




TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how Carolina and New Orleans match up after six weeks of play.

Statistical CAROLINA NEW ORLEANS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 51.9 6th 45.3 14th
Scoring Defense 53.4 16th 42.1 3rd
Total Offense 242.4 15th 229.9 18th
Total Defense 278.7 17th 263.7 12th
Pass Offense 230.7 11th 200.9 17th
Pass Defense 260.9 15th 242.6 12th
Run Offense 11.7 18th 29.0 4th
Run Defense 17.9 7th 21.1 10th

LEAGUE LEADERS: The following players rank among the league leaders after five weeks of action in 2004.
Player Stat Total Rank
Matt Nagy Pass Attempts 221 5th
Pass Comp. 153 2nd
Pass Yards 1616 8th
Pass TDs 36 4th
Todd Doxzon Receptions 57 T-2nd
Rec. Yards 630 5th
Rec. TDs 14 T-7th
Damien Groce KOR Avg. 20.2 8th
All-purpose 779 7th
Jarrick Hillery KOR Avg. 23.5 5th
Rob Bironas Scoring (kick) 59 2nd
Damon Mason Tackles 48.0 2nd

COBRAS MILESTONES:
WR/DB Damien Groce needs:
• 421 receiving yards to reach 1,500

WR/DB Jarrick Hillery needs:
• 171 receiving yards 2,500
• 16 receiving TDs for 50
• 9 rush attempts for 100

OL/DL Otis Moore needs:
• 5.0 tackles for 125
• 1.5 sacks for 20

FB/LB Chris Pope
 30.5 tackles for 100

FB/LB Travis Reece needs:
• 6 rush attempts for 150
• 44 rushing yards for 500

OL/DL Robert Stewart needs:
• .5 sack for 40

WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson needs:
• 7 receptions for 100
• 3 receiving yards for 1,000


SNAKE BITES:
On the Road Again: After snapping the franchise-record 16-game home losing streak, the Cobras hit the road once again this week. Thus far, Carolina has seen much more success on the road than at home in 2004. The club's road success can be attributed to a more effective passing attack and winning the turnover battle.

Team Home Road
Record 1-3 2-1
Points Scored 46.8 58.7
Points Allowed 56.0 50.0
Pass Offense 197.5 277.3
Pass Defense 262.5 258.0
Turnover Margin 0 +6

The Better Half: Carolina finally improved on its recent second-half struggles, responding from a 29-21 halftime deficit to outscore Tampa Bay 24-0 in the third quarter to take control of the contest. During the team's four-game losing streak, the Cobras were outscored by an average of 13 points points in the final two quarters (129-78).

Nothing But Iron-man: WR/DB Jarrick Hillery was recognized as the Army Ironman of the Week for his performance against Tampa Bay on Sunday. The four-year veteran recorded two kickoff returns for touchdowns, caught three passes for 39 yards and a score and added four solo tackles and an interception on defense.

Many Happy Returns: The Cobras also have experienced rapid improvement on special teams. After struggling early in 2004 on kickoff returns, the Cobras currently rank third in the AFL with 18.9 yards per kickoff return. WR/DB Jarrick Hillery leads the way with 23.5 yards per kickoff return (5th in AFL), including two returns for TD against Tampa Bay, while Damien Groce stands 8th in the AFL with a 20.2 yard average.

Jack of All Trades: WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. has made quite an impression in his first season with the Cobras. Walker Jr. was named as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game versus Tampa Bay after recording his second fumble recovery for a touchdown this season. On the season, Walker Jr. ranks third on the team with 24 receptions for 247 yards and five scores, while adding 13.5 tackles on defense.

Third and Oh!: The Carolina defense continues to struggle to limit opponents success on third down. Despite holding the Storm on five of seven attempts, the Cobras still rank in the bottom of the league in third down defense. Thus far, opponents have converted 27-of-45 third down attempts (60 percent).

Nothing Neu Here: The Cobras face a very familiar opponent in the New Orleans VooDoo. The club features at least four former Carolina standouts and is led by former head coach Mike Neu. Neu was at the helm for the Cobras in both their postseason efforts, including the only playoff victory in team history (7/7/02 at Grand Rapids).

In the Zone: The Cobras have been very efficient in the red-zone throughout the 2004 season, ranking second in the league with a 93.1 conversion percentage. In 29 trips inside their opponents 10-yard line, Carolina has scored 24 touchdowns and three field goals. Their performance is exceeded only by the Los Angeles Avengers, who have scored on all 26 attempts in the red-zone.

New Sheriff in Town: John Gregory earned a victory in his first contest as head coach of the Cobras with the win versus Tampa Bay. Earlier in the week, he replaced Eddie Khayat the team's head coach and director of football operations following a tough, four-game losing streak. Gregory previously spent nine seasons at the helm of the New York Dragons/Iowa Barnstormers franchise and has directed some of the most prolific offensive teams in AFL history.

Team Yr Rec. Pts Avg
New York 2001 8-6 898 64.1*
Iowa 1997 11-3 803 57.4
Iowa 2000 9-5 797 56.9
Iowa 1999 11-3 750 53.6
*denotes AFL record

Pace Setter: OS Todd Doxzon has been the Cobras most productive receivers early in the 2004 campaign and is on pace to shatter many of the franchise's single-season receiving records. Thus far, he ranks second in the league with 57 receptions and fourth with 630 yards. Following is how he would stack up with the top pass catchers in Carolina's five-year history if he continues on his current pace.

Player Rc Yds TD Pts
T. Doxzon (2004) (130) (1440) (32) (197)
B. Holmes (2003) 83 995 16 120*
A. Bailey (2002) 89* 1102* 18 118
A. Bailey (2001) 61 915 19* 116
*denotes single-season record

Queen-Sized Win: Carolina put an end to a grueling, AFL-record 16-game home losing streak on March 21 with a 54-43 victory over the defending ArenaBowl champions, the Tampa Bay Storm. The Cobras special teams accounted for three touchdowns, while the defense pressured Storm QB Pat O'Hara throughout the game, posting two interceptions and nine passes defended.
Leader of the Pack: Perennial AFL standout DS Damon Mason has paid immediate dividends in his first season with the Cobras. Named as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game in each of the first three games of the campaign, Mason currently ranks second in the league with 48.0 tackles. He has registered three of the top four single-season tackle totals in AFL history and ranks third all-time with 549.0 career tackles.

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

Heartbreaker: The Cobras were defeated in devastating fashion on their trip to Austin on March 7, as Wranglers' head coach Skip Foster gambled – and won – on a risky two-point conversion call. After a John Kaleo to Tacoma Fountaine touchdown with no time on the clock left Austin down by one point, the Wranglers elected to go for two points and the victory. Kaleo was able to find Shannon Culver in the flat for the conversion and the 56-55 win.

Comeback: In the Cobras' come-from-behind victory over the Columbus Destroyers on February 13, 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.

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.

Have We Met?: The Cobras have experienced a very dramatic makeover following the disappointments of the 2003 season. Only two players from last year's squad will take the field in 2004, OL/DL Robert Stewart and 2003 Team MVP Bernard Holmes. Of the 21 remaining players on the active roster, 20 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 seven former New York Dragons. OL/DL Nate Bell, 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 298 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* 11 123 7
Robert Stewart* 11 127 6
Sean Tremblay 7 65 3
Cory Stone* 6 51 5

FAMILIAR FACES: New Orleans Head Coach Mike Neu served as the Cobras head coach during the 2001 postseason and throughout the 2002 campaign...New Orleans QB John Fitzgerald led the Cobras to their last postseason appearance in 2002...His favorite target was OS Aaron Bailey, who spent the 2001 and 2002 season in Charlotte...The Cobras kicker during that same span was the VooDoo's Brian Schmitz...New Orleans FB/LB Jason Bratton appeared in 24 games for the Cobras in 2001 and 2003...Bratton also spent time in training camp with Carolina prior to the 2004 season...Schmitz and VooDoo OL/DL Adam Metts played collegiately at North Carolina... Metts also spent time in 2003 with Cobras WR/DB Jarrick Hillery and FB/LB Travis Reece with the Georgia Force...The Cobras duo appeared with VooDoo FB/LB Dan Curran with Nashville and Georgia from 2001-2003...OL/DL Bruce McClure was teammates of Hillery and Reece with the Nashville Kats in 2000 and 2001...OL/DL B.J. Cohen saw time with Cobras DS Damon Mason from 1999-2001.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
March 10: OL/DL Kendrick Gholston placed on injured reserve list.

March 19: OL/DL Wes Stephens placed on injured reserve list. DS Glenn Davis and WR/DB Lenzie Jackson activated from injured reserve list. Signed OL/DL Nate Bell.

INJURY UPDATES: OL/DL Wes Stephens suffered a season-ending leg injury in loss vs. Dallas...OL/DL Kendrick Gholston was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ACL injury in loss at Austin.

COBRAS INJURY REPORT:
Pos. Name Injury Status
DS Daryon Brutley Thigh Quest.
OL/DL Wes Stephens Leg IR
OL/DL Kendrick Gholston Knee IR


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 39 touchdowns through seven weeks of play. Overall, Nagy has completed 153-of-221 passes for 1,616 yards and 36 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. He has accounted for a team-high 14 touchdown receptions this season and leads the team with 57 receptions for 630 yards. The former Iowa State standout has reeled in a career-high 10 receptions in three of the first seven contests of the 2004 season. In 37 career games he has posted 55 touchdown catches.

WR/DB Damien Groce: Groce has emerged as a dangerous weapon as a receiver, rusher and kick returner this season. In six games, he has 33 catches for 368 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns, including the game-winning score in the Cobras come-from-behind win at Columbus. He also added a seven-yard TD run against Austin (3/7) and a 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the club's loss to Arizona (2/21).

DS Damon Mason: The six-year AFL veteran earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors in each of the Cobras first three games of the 2004 season. He currently ranks second in the league with 48.0 tackles on the year, including a season high 10.5 takedowns in Carolina's win at Columbus (2/21). Mason ranks third in league history with 549.0 career tackles.



VOODOO PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Aaron Bailey: Fourth-year receiver previously spent two standout seasons with the Cobras in 2001 and 2002. This season, he leads the VooDoo with 43 receptions for 593 yards and 16 touchdown receptions – third in the AFL. Bailey, who spent five seasons with the NFL Indianapolis Colts, currently is Carolina's career leader in receptions, yards, touchdowns and 100-yard receiving games.

FB/LB Dan Curran: A punishing rusher and defender, the three-year veteran has provided a hard-nosed edge to the first-year franchise, compiling rushing TD's at a record pace. Through six games, Curran has posted 12 scoring runs on 36 attempts and a league-high 155 yards. He also ranks fourth on the team with 13.0 tackles on defense.

QB John Fitzgerald: The field general for the expansion VooDoo appeared in the final seven games of the 2002 season with Carolina, before helping the team to the only postseason victory in team history. His experience has helped him in his first season in New Orleans, as he has tossed 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Overall, he has completed 115-of-211 passes for 1,418 yards.



BABY RUTH OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Wk Player Team
1 Matt Nagy CAR
2 Cornelius White CMB
3 Sherdrick Bonner ARI
4 Joe Hamilton ORL
5 John Kaleo AUS
6 Glen Gauntt DAL
7 Jarrick Hillery CAR

ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME:
Wk Player Team
1 Travis Reece CAR
2 Wilkie Bazile CMB
3 Tom Pace ARI
4 James Bowden ORL
5 Charlie Davidson AUS
6 Will Pettis DAL
7 Jack Walker Jr. CAR

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Wk Player Team
1 Damon Mason CAR
2 Damon Mason CAR
3 Damon Mason CAR
4 Jermaine Smith ORL
5 Charlie Davidson AUS
6 Henry Taylor DAL
7 Jarrick Hillery CAR

AFL STANDINGS
National Conference
EASTERN Win Loss Tie PF PA
Dallas 5 2 0 386 355
New York 4 3 0 359 319
Carolina 3 4 0 363 374
Philadelphia 3 4 0 303 295
Columbus 1 6 0 300 379

SOUTHERN Win Loss Tie PF PA
New Orleans 6 1 0 317 295
Austin 4 2 0 307 310
Georgia 4 3 0 346 380
Orlando 3 3 0 257 292
Tampa Bay 2 5 0 323 353

American Conference
CENTRAL Win Loss Tie PF PA
Chicago 5 1 0 325 233
Colorado 5 2 0 307 328
Detroit 2 4 0 275 291
Indiana 2 5 0 334 305
Grand Rapids 0 6 0 195 332

WESTERN Win Loss Tie PF PA
San Jose 5 1 0 365 290
Los Angeles 4 2 0 328 278
Arizona 3 4 0 335 334
Las Vegas 3 4 0 365 347


THE COBRAS THIS SEASON ARE:

1-3 at home
2-1 on the road

2-1 vs. Eastern Division
0-0 vs. Central Division
1-2 vs. Southern Division
0-1 vs. Western Division

1-0 on Friday
0-3 on Saturday
2-1 on Sunday

2-2 in February
1-2 in March
0-0 in April
0-0 in May

1-3 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
2-1 when trailing at the half

2-1 when leading after 3 quarters
0-1 when tied after 3 quarters
1-2 when trailing after 3 quarters

0-1 outcome 7 points or less
1-1 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games

3-1 when the Cobras score first
0-3 when opponent scores first

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 23, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Carolina Cobras Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central