Cobras Game Notes

Published on May 14, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release


Quick Facts:
Carolina Radio: WRBZ-850 AM (Gary Hahn, Tony Haynes)
Grand Rapids Radio: WBBL 1340 AM (Joe Parson, Tom Sullivan, Bret Bakita)
Carolina TV: None
Grand Rapids TV: None
Series Record: Grand Rapids leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: at Grand Rapids 41, Carolina 38 (5/11/01)
Coaches: Mike Neu (Carolina); 1st season (3-1 in '02); 3-2 career overall record
Michael Trigg (Grand Rapids); 8th season, 5th with GR (2-2 in '02); 59-59 career overall record
Officials: Referee: Dave Lambros; Umpire: Nels Strickland; Head Linesman: Mike McCabe; Line Judge: Art Lucky; Back Judge: James Cole

THE GAME

The Carolina Cobras will look to win their fourth game in a row this Friday, May 17, 7:30 p.m. when they face the defending ArenaBowl champion Grand Rapids Rampage at the Entertainment & Sports Arena. The Cobras (3-1) have won three straight, including a 40-28 win over New Jersey last week, after dropping their season-opener to the Dallas Desperados on April 20. Carolina is 1-1 at home in 2002 and 8-8 (.500) all-time at the ESA. Carolina knocked off the Tampa Bay Storm 46-36 two weeks ago at home. At 3-1, Carolina is leading the Southern Division and is tied for the second-best record in the Arena Football League (San Jose is 4-0). Friday's game is pivotal for Carolina, as they won't play another home game for three weeks (next home game is June 7 vs. Arizona) with back-to-back road contests at Tampa Bay and Orlando on tap. The Cobras will also look to continue their unbeaten streak in the month of May with a victory (2-0 in May in 2002; 4-4 all-time). The Grand Rapids Rampage (2-2) snapped a two-game slide with a 69-55 victory over the Orlando Predators last week. Grand Rapids, who won their first ArenaBowl title last season, will be playing just their second road game of the season on Friday (0-1 away from home in 2002).

THE STAKES The Cobras (3-1) have taken the early lead in the Southern Division race by rattling off three straight wins, coupled with key losses by Orlando (1-3), Tampa Bay (1-3) and Georgia (1-3) to start the season. Carolina will look to extend their lead with a victory over the defending ArenaBowl champions on Friday, while Grand Rapids will look to build on an impressive 69-55 win over the Chicago Rush. The Rampage (2-2) are tied with the Rush for the American Conference Central Division lead. Tampa Bay is at Los Angeles (2-2), Orlando hosts San Jose (4-0) and Georgia visits Chicago (2-2) this week.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Cobras hit the road for the first of two consecutive road games when they travel to Tampa, Fla. to take on the Storm next Saturday, May 25, 7:30 p.m. Grand Rapids hosts Buffalo on Saturday, May 25, 7:30 p.m.

COBRAS LAST WEEK ...Cobras 40, at New Jersey 28 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (May 11, 2002)- The Carolina Cobras set a team record by winning their third game in a row Saturday night, knocking off the New Jersey Gladiators 40-28 at Continental Airlines Arena. The Cobras defense blanked New Jersey in the fourth quarter and held the Gladiators to just 28 total points. Cobras (3-1) quarterback Connell Maynor completed 12 of 21 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Cory Fleming led Carolina with 80 yards receiving (on two catches) with a 45-yard touchdown and Carl Bond chipped in with five grabs for 49 yards filling in for offensive specialist Aaron Bailey, who missed his second game with a bruised tailbone. New Jersey (2-2) signal-caller Jay McDonagh passed for 249 yards (27 of 49) and three touchdowns with no interceptions in the loss. Gladiators' offensive specialist Mike Horacek had a game-high nine catches for 72 yards and a touchdown for New Jersey.

Team 1 2 3 4 Final
CAR 10 14 10 6 40
NJ 7 14 7 0 28

ABOUT THE COBRAS (3-1)

Carolina enters their third season in the AFL with hopes of winning an ArenaBowl championship. Last season the club qualified for the playoffs with a 7-7 overall record after struggling to a 3-11 finish during their inaugural season in 2000. Carolina opened the season with a disappointing loss to the expansion Dallas Desperados but bounced back to win three straight games (at Georgia, vs. Tampa Bay and at New Jersey). Offensive specialist Aaron Bailey was expected to be the go-to guy in 2002, but has just six catches for 101 yards and one touchdown in two games. He has missed the last two weeks (vs. Tampa Bay and at New Jersey) with an injured tailbone and his status for this week is questionable. Bailey led the club in receptions (61), receiving yards (915) and touchdowns (19), despite playing in just seven games in 2001. The Cobras also added some veteran leadership in the off-season, acquiring AFL vets WR/LB Cory Fleming (Nashville), QB Connell Maynor (New Jersey), FB/LB Andre Bowden (Tampa Bay), DS Kevin Gaines (Florida) and DS Clarence Lawson (Florida).
* Carolina is in the midst of their longest winning streak (3) in team history
* The Cobras have been spreading the wealth offensively with nine different receivers catching passes (five different receivers catching TDs).
* QB Connell Maynor is 3-0 since taking over the starting QB position
* The Cobras have the AFL's No. 2 rated scoring defense (43.8 ppg.) and have held opponents to under 40 points in consecutive weeks (36 vs. Tampa Bay and 28 at New Jersey)
* Carolina is tied for 2nd in the AFL with a +4 turnover margin through four games
* Carolina leads the league in kickoff return average (22.8) and is second in MFG returns (28.5)
* DS Kevin Gaines is tied for the league lead with 12 pass defenses (11 PD, 1 INT) and ranks 5th in total tackles (27.0).

ABOUT THE RAMPAGE (2-2)

The Grand Rapids Rampage return a solid nucleus from last seasons ArenaBowl championship team, minus a few free agent losses and some untimely injuries (OS Ricky Ross and WR/LB Michael Baker). The Rampage breezed through the regular season with an 11-3 regular season mark and knocked off the Nashville Kats, 64-42, in ArenaBowl XV last year. QB Clint Dolezel is one of the best in the business and was named Grand Rapids team MVP and Second Team All-AFL in 2001. Offensive specialist Terrill Shaw came into his own toward the end of last season and finished as one of the league's top offensive threats. He currently has 25 catches for 330 yards and 8 TDs in 2002. WR/DB Willis Marshall (28 grabs for 301 yards and three TDs) has been one of Dolezel's favorite targets so far in 2002 as has WR/DB Steve Smith (32 catches for 342 yards and 8 TDs). Defensively, the Rampage is led by Joseph Todd (19.0 tackles, 9 PD, INT).
* Grand Rapids has the AFL's No. 4 ranked scoring offense (55.0 ppg.) and total offense (306 ypg.)
* The Rampage has the league's third best passing offense (291.2 ypg.) and the league's second best pass rating (113.5)
* Grand Rapids has allowed just one sack so far in 2002, but has a turnover margin of -4
* OS Terrill Shaw is 6th in the AFL in scoring (58).
* WR/DB Steve Smith (32 catches) and WR/DB Willis Marshall (28 catches) are both in the league's top 10 in receptions
* QB Clint Dolezel is third in the AFL in pass rating (113.5) and third in passing yards (109 of 153 for 1,172 yards and 21 TDs with 7 INTs).

RAMPAGE LAST WEEK...at Grand Rapids 69, Orlando 55
Grand Rapids, Mich. (May 11, 2002) - Steve Smith set career-highs in receptions and receiving yards and Clint Dolezel threw five TD passes as the Grand Rapids Rampage snapped its two-game losing streak with a 69-55 victory over the Orlando Predators Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. In front of 9,588 fans, Smith, who earned MVP honors, caught a game-high 13 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. His catch total was two catches shy of the Rampage's single-game reception record, which is currently held by Terrill Shaw and Thomas Bailey (15). Dolezel, who entered the Saturday night's game as the league's third highest rated passer, completed 27-of-39 passes for 277 yards and one interception for Grand Rapids (2-2).

THE SERIES...Carolina vs. Grand Rapids (GR leads, 1-0)
The Cobras and Rampage have only met once (May 11, 2001), with Grand Rapids holding on for a 41-38 win last season at Van Andel Arena.

at Grand Rapids 41, Cobras 38
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (May 11, 2001) - The Carolina Cobras managed just two second half touchdowns as the Grand Rapids Rampage held on for a 41-38 win on Friday night in front of 7,235 at Van Andel Arena. Kevin Jackson hauled in a 6-yard touchdown pass with 51 seconds left to cut the Rampage lead to 41-38. After an unsuccessful on-side kick, the Cobras defense held the Rampage on fourth down to get the ball back on their own 8-yard line with 26 seconds left in the game. Rookie Jammie Deese caught back to back passes on the Cobras final drive to help set up a 31-yard field goal attempt by Bjorn Nittmo to tie the game, but the kick sailed wide right and over the end zone rebound net as time expired. Fred McNair connected on 18 of 35 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score in the loss for Carolina (3-2). Clint Dolezel passed for 297 yards (23 of 40 attempts) and three scores for Grand Rapids (4-0). Michael Baker grabbed nine passes for 109 yards and a score to pace the Rampage. Willis Marshall chipped in with two receiving touchdowns (6 catches for 117 yards) and a rushing score and fullback Chris Ryan rushed for a pair of touchdowns for Grand Rapids. Deese led the Cobras with six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Injuries played a huge part in the game as the Cobras lost wide receiver/defensive back Kotto Cotton with a separated shoulder.

Team 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
CAR 10 14 7 7 38
GR 14 7 7 13 41

Here's a look at the Cobras history vs. the Rampage
Date Game Result
5/11/01 at Grand Rapids L, 38-41

THE IF's...

* If Carolina wins it will give the Cobras a 4-1 mark in 2002
* If Carolina wins it will give Carolina a 2-1 record at home in 2002
* If Carolina wins it will give the Cobras a 3-0 record in the month of May (5-4 all-time in May)
* If Carolina wins it will continue their longest winning streak (4) in franchise history

SAME FACES, DIFFERENT PLACES...Connections Cobras head coach Mike Neu and Grand Rapids FB/LB Michael Blair played together at Ball State University (Blair was a freshman fullback when Neu was a senior QB)...Blair was on the Cobras roster to start the season but was waived prior to the start of training camp...Grand Rapids DS Jeff Popovich attended the University of Miami (Fla.) as did Cobras WR/DB Nick Ward...Rampage OL/DL Israel Raybon and Cobras OL/DL Marcus Keyes both attended North Alabama...Cobras QB Aaron Sparrow was on the Rampage roster in 1998 and played behind Grand Rapids current offensive coordinator Sparky McEwen...Rampage defensive coordinator Marshall Foreman coached the 2000 season in af2 (defensive coordinator with Tulsa Talons) as did Cobras defensive coordinator Bret Munsey (defensive coordinator with Augusta Stallions) and Cobras head coach Mike Neu (head coach with Augusta Stallions)...Cobras DS Kevin Gaines, OL/DL Desmond Byrd, DS Clarence Lawson, OL/DL Marcus Keyes and WR/DB Nick Ward played with Rampage WR/LB Curtis Ceaser and OL/DL Madison Johnson with the AFL's Florida Bobcats last season.

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 COACHES...

Carolina: Mike Neu, 1st Season 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.

Grand Rapids: Michael Trigg, 8th Season, 5th with Grand Rapids Michael Trigg enters his fifth season with the Rampage, boasting a history of achievement both on the sidelines and on the field. That history reached new heights on August 19, 2001 when the AFL's smallest market team won ArenaBowl XV in front of a sold-out Van Andel Arena and a national television audience on ABC. Last season, Trigg not only guided the Rampage to the team's third consecutive playoff berth and first championship, but he also led the team to a league-best 11-3 record. For his efforts last season, Trigg was named the 2001 AFL Coach of the Year. He is just the sixth coach in AFL history to reach the 50-win plateau and now ranks as the fifth winningest coach in AFL history.

THE QUARTERBACKS...

Carolina: Connell Maynor- An 8-year veteran of the AFL...Played for the New Jersey Gladiators last season...Enjoyed his best season with the Orlando Predators in 2000...Guided the Preds to an ArenaBowl championship win over the Nashville Kats and earned ArenaBowl MVP honors...Aaron Sparrow- Entering his third season in the AFL...Has been a back-up (Nashville, 1997; Grand Rapids, 1998)...Was a standout QB for Mike Neu with the af2 Augusta Stallions in 2000...Passed for 4,000 yards and 78 TDs...Made his first AFL start in week 1 vs. Dallas before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury (sternum/shoulder)...Did not play the last two weeks at Georgia and vs. New Jersey and his status is still questionable for this week...John Fitzgerald- Joined the Cobras on April 23, 2002...Spent the 2001 season with the Houston ThunderBears, completing 121 of 205 passes for 1507 yards and 21 TDs with 10 INTs.

Grand Rapids: Clint Dolezel- A seasoned veteran with championship experience...Has struggled to find is rhythm early in the 2002 season, tossing 7 INTs in just four games (threw 10 picks all last season)...Has played for three other AFL teams (Milwaukee 1995-96; Texas 1997; Houston 1998-99)...Todd Hammel- Entering his 11th season in the AFL...Is the league's career record holder in attempts (3,376), completions (1,884), passing yards (23,361) and interceptions (125).

QB Comparison (2002)
Name Team GM Comp Att. Yds TD INT
Connell Maynor CAR 3 47 78 585 10 1
Aaron Sparrow CAR 1 10 21 101 2 1
Clint Dolezel GR 4 109 153 1172 21 7

Maynor vs. Grand Rapids Cobras' veteran QB Connell Maynor has faced the Grand Rapids Rampage only once in his career as a starting quarterback. Maynor passed for 220 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort to the Rampage (L, 34-46) as a member of the Orlando Predators.

Date Opponent Comp Att Yds TD INT Result
6/9/00 vs. G. Rapids 14 24 220 2 1 L, 34-46
TOTALS: 14 24 220 2 1 L, 34-46 (with Orlando Predators)

COBRAS NEWS & NOTES... MOVIN' ON UP... Cobras WR/LB Cory Fleming passed a personal milestone last week at New Jersey with 80 receiving yards against the Gladiators. His 80-yard receiving effort put him over the 5,000-yard mark in career receiving yards (5,070).

HOW'S THAT FOR DEFENSE... Carolina posted another solid effort on the defensive side of the ball last week at New Jersey, holding the Gladiators to a season-low 28 points. Carolina currently ranks second in the AFL in scoring defense, giving up just 43.8 points per game. The Gladiators' 28 points tied for third lowest in Cobras franchise history. Here's a look a the Cobras' best defensive efforts:

Date Opponent Pts. Allowed
4/14/01 at New Jersey 21
6/8/01 vs. New Jersey 22
7/13/01 vs. Los Angeles 28
5/11/02 at New Jersey 28

NICE PICK UPS... After two seasons of shuffling defensive specialists, the Cobras seemed to have finally found the right mix with AFL veteran's Clarence Lawson and Kevin Gaines leading the way. DS Robert Davis has also contributed from a WR/DB position. Gaines and Davis were signed as free agents and Lawson was selected with the Cobras first round pick in the 2002 Dispersal Draft. Gaines has paced the Cobras secondary, leading the team in tackles (27.0) and pass break ups (11). His 12 pass defenses (11 deflections, INT) is also tied for the best in the AFL. Each of the three defensive specialists has an INT to their credit, while Davis has added 20.0 tackles and Lawson has chipped in with 17.0 stops.

OUT PLAYED?... The Cobras have been out-playing their opponents on the field over the past three weeks (all wins), but when you take a closer look into the numbers, it seems Carolina hasn't run nearly the number of plays their opponents have. Last week at New Jersey, the Cobras ran just 28 total plays, compared to 52 by the Gladiators. The Cobras rank last (out of 16 teams) in the AFL in total offense, gaining just 183.2 yards per game, but when you consider the total number of plays the Cobras have run, that number is a bit deceiving. On the season, the Cobras have run a total of 133 offensive plays and gained 733 yards (5.51 yards per play) while the opposition has run 186 plays for 1,077 yards (5.79 per play). Here's a look at how many plays the Cobras have run over the first four weeks of the season (listed as Cobras/opponents).

Date Opponent Plays Yards
4/20/02 vs. Dallas 36/42 166/273
4/26/02 at Georgia 31/45 194/272
5/4/02 vs. Tampa Bay 38/47 181/275
5/11/02 at New Jersey 28/52 192/257
TOTALS: 133/186 733/1,077

CONVERSIONS...Part of the Cobras success during their three-game winning streak has been their ability to convert on third down, especially in the fourth quarter. For the season the Cobras have converted 12 of 26 (.462) third down opportunities while opponents have connected on 14 of 29 (.483) third down opportunities; however, Carolina is an impressive 5 of 8 (.625) on third downs in the fourth quarter, while opponents have converted just 3 of 7 (.429) third down opportunities in the final frame.

SPECIAL TEAMS SHINE...Carolina's special teams units have been spectacular so far in the early going of 2002. The Cobras lead the AFL in kickoff return average (22.8) and have a league-high three kicks returned for touchdowns. Carolina also ranks second in missed field goal return yards (28.5). Both WR/DB Carl Bond (22.8) and DS Clarence Lawson (22.2) are in the AFL's top 10 in kick return average, while Bond ranks 4th in the AFL in MFG return average (19.0). Last week at New Jersey, the Cobras didn't get a kick return for a score, but turned a missed field goal by kicker Brian Schmitz into a touchdown when FB/LB Andre Bowden scooped up the ball and ran for a touchdown after the ball ricocheted off of the metal end zone rebound net.

TURNOVER MARGIN...Typically in football teams with a + next to their name in turnover ratio have a better record than teams with a minus in turnover margin. The Cobras are currently tied for second in the AFL with a +4 turnover margin (Indiana Firebirds lead the league with a +5 mark). On the season, Carolina has forced eight turnovers and committed just four (2 fumbles and 2 INTs). So far this season, teams with a positive turnover margin are 16-12 on the year. Last season the Cobras finished third in the AFL with a +11 turnover margin.

AWARDS... Each week during the season, there are a number of awards that are given out to players who exemplify outstanding play. This season there are three awards: Built Ford Tough Award, Game MVP and Game Ironman. The Built Ford Tough Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players (up to 5) on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on both sides of the ball. The honored players receive a helmet sticker that recognizes the Built Ford Tough Player of the Game.

Game Built Ford Tough Winners (selected by coaches)
Week 1 vs. DAL (4/20) Marrio Grier, Carl Bond, Jon McCall
Week 2 at GEO (4/26) Marrio Grier, Carl Bond, Cory Fleming, Kevin Gaines, Jon McCall
Week 3 vs. TB (5/4) Marrio Grier, Andre Bowden, Clarence Lawson, Cory Fleming, Jamaal Garman
Week 4 at NJ (5/11) Cory Fleming, Kevin Gaines, Andre Bowden, Connell Maynor, Brian Schmitz

OTHER ACCOLADES...(selected by media in attendance)
Game Game MVP Game Ironman
Week 1 vs. DAL (4/20) Andy Kelly (DAL) Shante Carver (DAL)
Week 2 at GEO (4/26) Connell Maynor (CAR) Travis Reece (GEO)
Week 3 vs. TB (5/4) Andre Bowden (CAR) Andre Bowden (CAR)
Week 4 at NJ (5/11) Connell Maynor (CAR) Cory Fleming (CAR)

MATCH-UPS TO WATCH (Quick Hitters)... Cobras Defense vs. Clint Dolezel...The Cobras secondary duo of DS Kevin Gaines and DS Clarence Lawson, along with WR/DB Robert Davis and WR/DB Nick Ward will face their toughest test of the season when they challenge Grand Rapids QB Clint Dolezel. The Cobras have the league's No. 2 rated scoring defense (43.8 ppg.) and the league's 6th best total defense (269.2 ypg.). Carolina's pass defense is ranked No. 4 in the league and will be facing the AFL's third best pass offense in Grand Rapids (291.2 ypg.)

Cobras pass rush vs. Rampage Offensive Line...The Rampage sport one of the toughest offensive line units in the AFL. To date, Grand Rapids has given up just one sack in four games this season. In order for the Cobras to be successful defensively, the defensive line must put pressure on QB Clint Dolezel. Although Dolezel has only been sacked once, he's been pressured into 7 INTs in just four games. Deju Vu...Hopefully, for the Cobras sake, history will not repeat itself when the Cobras and Rampage square off on Friday. Last year, the Cobras took a 3-1 record into Van Andel Arena before falling to the Rampage, 41-38, on May 11, 2001. Carolina enters this seasons match-up with the same 3-1 as it did in 2001.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 14, 2002


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