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Colorado Crush game notes

March 24, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Colorado Crush News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Colorado Crush (5-2) Arizona Rattlers (3-4)
Date: March 27, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. MT
Site: Pepsi Center (18,063)
Officials: Steve Pamon – Referee, Jeff Carr – Umpire,
Dale Newhouse – Head Linesman, Tom Symonette – Line Judge, Tony Lombardo – Back Judge
Television: Comcast Channel 5
(Mitch Hyder – play-by-play, Damon Bowers – analyst, David Briggs – sideline reporter)
Radio: AM 760 The Zone
(Marc Stout – play-by-play, David Diaz-Infante – analyst)
Series Record: Arizona leads 2-0
Last Meeting: May 18, 2003 – Arizona 59, CRUSH 48
Coaches: Mike Dailey (5-2 with Colo., 68-48 Overall)
Danny White (131-63 with Ariz., 131-63 Overall)

THE STAKES: The Crush is one-half game behind Chicago in the American Central Division and one game in back in the loss column. A win would improve the team to 6-2, tripling last year's win total and improving them to 4-0 at home on the year. It would also give them their first ever series win over Arizona.


Colorado Crush
Date Opponent Time/Score Record
Fri, 2/6 LAS VEGAS W 43-42 1-0
Sat, 2/14 @ Grand Rapids W 55-37 2-0
Sun, 2/22 @ Chicago L 35-65 2-1
Fri, 2/27 AUSTIN W 37-35 3-1
Thu, 3/4 DETROIT W 62-61 4-1
Sun, 3/14 @ San Jose L 55-35 4-2
Sun, 3/21 @ Philadelphia W 40-33 5-2
Sat, 3/27 ARIZONA 7 p.m.
Sat, 4/3 INDIANA 1 p.m.
Sat, 4/10 @ Los Angeles 8:30 p.m.
Sun, 4/18 @ New York 1 p.m.
Fri, 4/23 GRAND RAPIDS 7 p.m.
Sun, 5/2 PHILADELPHIA 1 p.m.
Sun, 5/16 @ Indiana 1 p.m.
Sun, 5/23 @ Detroit 1 p.m.
Sun, 5/30 CHICAGO 2 p.m.
(All times Mountain)

American Central Division
Team W L T PCT. PF PA H A Conf. Div. Strk
Chicago 5 1 0 .833 325 233 3-0 2-1 3-0 3-0 W1
Colorado 5 2 0 .714 307 328 3-0 2-2 3-2 2-1 W1
Detroit 2 4 0 .333 275 291 1-2 1-2 2-2 1-1 L3
Indiana 2 5 0 .286 334 305 1-2 1-3 0-2 0-2 W2
Gr. Rapids 0 6 0 .000 195 332 0-3 0-3 0-5 0-2 L6


ALL-TIME SERIES: This will be the third meeting between the second-year Crush and the Rattlers. Arizona won both meetings last season, 72-45 in Arizona on 3/16/03, and 59-48 at Pepsi Center in the regular season finale on 5/18/03.


RADIO/TV COVERAGE: This week's game will be televised in the Denver metro area on Comcast Channel 5 with Mitch Hyder calling the play-by-play, former Crush player and Bacelorette contestant Damon Bowers providing analysis, and David Briggs working the sidelines. The game will broadcast on AM 760 The Zone (KKZN), with Marc Stout handling the play-by-play duties and former Denver Bronco offensive lineman David Diaz-Infante serving as color commentator.


Practice Schedule
Tuesday, March 23
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Walkthrough @ Events Center

Wednesday, March 24
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Thursday, March 25
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Practice @ Crush Facility

Friday, March 26
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Walkthrough @ Events Center

Saturday, March 27
7:00 p.m. Crush vs. Arizona Rattlers
@ Pepsi Center


Mike Dailey (Colorado Crush, 1st season):
Dailey became the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush after seven seasons as head coach of the Indiana Firebirds, and his teams have compiled an overall record of 68-48, a winning percentage of .586. He ranks seventh on the AFL's all-time list for coaching wins. In 1999 Dailey led the Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and a combined regular season/playoff record of 14-3, best in Firebirds history. He was named AFL Coach of the Year following that standout campaign. He joined the Firebirds prior to the 1992 season, spending five seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1997. Dailey began his Arena Football coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive and defensive line coach. Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an Assistant Coach at Towson State University and was the Offensive Coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (MD).


All-Time Winningest AFL Coaches
Including Postseason
Coach Team Wins This Week
Tim Marcum Tampa Bay 157 at Georgia
Danny White Arizona 131 at Colorado
Perry Moss 86
Mike Hohensee Chicago 78 vs. Detroit
Michael Trigg Philadelphia 76 at Austin
John Gregory 72
Mike Dailey Crush 68 vs. Arizona
Darren Arbet San Jose 64 vs. Los Angeles



Danny White (Arizona Rattlers, 13th season):
Head Coach and General Manager Danny White (131-62
overall, 113-53 regular season) is in his 13th season with the Arizona Rattlers and is the only head coach and GM is the team's history. The 2002 Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee is second all-time in coaching victories, with 131 wins. White is only the second coach in AFL history to notch 100 wins. White's career-winning percentage of .678 ranks fifth all-time in AFL history. He is a two-time ArenaBowl Champion (1994, 1997). White quarterbacked Arizona State from 1971-73, leaving as both the school's and NCAA's all-time leading passer. White then played two seasons with the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League before joining the Dallas Cowboys, where he played from 1976-88 and had a Pro Bowl career.


LEADERS OF THE PACK: Crush players who rank in the Top 10 in the AFL entering Week 8:
Colorado Crush
Player Rank Category Stat
John Dutton 1st Fumble Recoveries 8
Rashad Floyd 1st Interceptions 4
Damian Harrell T-2nd Scoring (non-Kick) 108
Anthony Brenner 3rd Scoring (Kickers) 55
John Dutton 3rd % INT/Pass Attempt 1.4
Damian Harrell T-3rd 3rd Down Recepts 10
John Dutton 6th Yards Passing 1636
John Dutton 6th Pass Attempts 219
Damian Harrell 6th First Downs 36
Damian Harrell 6th Receiving Yards 629
Damian Harrell 6th Yds from Scrimmage 629
Chad Dukes T-6th Fumble Recoveries 2
Kevin McKenzie T-6th Fumble Recoveries 2
Kevin McKenzie T-6th Interceptions 2
Chad Dukes 7th Rushing Yards 68
John Dutton 7th Pass Completions 131
John Dutton T-7th Passing TDs 29
John Dutton T-7th Fewest Interceptions 3
Saul Patu T-8th Sacks 2.5
John Dutton 10th % TD/Pass Attempt 13.2
John Dutton 10th QB Rating 110.4

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Crush and the Rattlers stack up (through Week 7):
Statistical COLORADO ARIZONA
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Points per Game 15th 43.9 10th 47.9
Points Allowed 7th 46.9 8th 47.7
Total Offense 11th 247.4 10th 248.9
Pass Offense 12th 229.9 8th 235.1
Rushing Offense 11th 17.6 15th 13.7
Total Defense 7th 251.1 4th 240.3
Pass Defense 9th 234.1 6th 218.6
Rushing Defense 5th 17.0 T-11th 21.7
Kickoff Returns 18th 15.2 3rd 20.3
KO Return Allowed 8th 17.6 6th 17.3
Take-aways 1st 16 T-4th 13
Give-aways T-7th 10 11th 11
Turnover Margin T-3rd +6 7th +2
Avg. Yds per Play 12th 6.0 16th 5.7
Opp. Avg Yds/Play 8th 6.0 9th 6.1
First Downs per Game 18th 17.1 5th 19.9
Opp. First Downs/Game 10th 18.7 6th 17.9
3rd Down Efficiency 19th 37.2 9th 51.1
Opp. 3rd Down Eff. 14th 51.2 4th 43.2
4th Down Efficiency 13th 44.4 10th 55.6
Opp. 4th Down Eff. T-10th 57.1 18th 88.9
Field Goal % T-9th 40.0 11th 37.5
TD% Inside the 10 19th 55.2 5th 84.8
Opp. TD% Inside the 10 19th 88.9 13th 77.1
(Top 5 ranks in bold, league leaders in red)

COLORADO CRUSH NEXT WEEK
The Crush remain home to host American Central Division rival the Indiana Firebirds on Saturday, April 3 at 1 p.m. This will be the first of two meetings this season with Indiana, and the first chance for head coach Mike Dailey to face his former team. The game will be televised by Comcast Channel 5 and will be broadcast by AM 760 The Zone.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
OS Damian Harrell: Now in his sixth AFL season, Harrell has amassed 5,843.receiving yards on 415 catches, an average of 14.08 yards/catch, along with 123 career touchdowns (1 on return) ... Has more receptions and more receiving yards than any other AFL receivers 2000-04 ... Tied for 2nd in the AFL in scoring (non-kickers) with 108 points, on 18 touchdowns this season ... Leads the Crush with 42 catches for 629 yards this season ... Ranks 6th in the league in receiving yards (629) and with first downs (36)... Tied for 3rd in third down receptions with 10 ... He has caught 15 TDs in his last five games. He has been named Offensive Player of the Game three times this season (vs. LV 2/6, vs. Det. 3/4, @ Phi. 3//21) ... Caught two TDs in the last 12 seconds to lift the Crush to victory over Las Vegas ... Four of his five catches vs. Detroit were for TDs, including a 41-yard TD ... Three of five catches at San Jose were TDs ... Had a Crush season-high 160 yards receiving at Philadelphia.

QB John Dutton: As Dutton goes, so go the Crush ... The former ArenaBowl MVP (XVI w/ SJ) has completed 131-of-219 passes (59.8%) for 1636 yards and 29 touchdowns ... Twice he has been named Offensive Player of the Game (@ Grand Rapids 2/14, vs. Austin 2/27) ... Threw for a season-high 329 yards at San Jose ... Completed 20-of-24 passes for 264 yards and 4 TDs at Grand Rapids ... Completed only 12 passes vs. Detroit, but seven were for touchdowns ... Ranks third in the AFL in interceptions per pass attempt, sixth in passing yards and pass attempts, seventh in completions, tied for seventh in passing TDs, and 10th in both TD per attempt and QB rating.

WR/DB Kevin McKenzie: Third-year standout has been the Crush's best Ironman through the first seven games of the season ... Ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 460 yards on 33 catches ... Tied for sixth in the AFL in both fumble recoveries (2) and interceptions (2) ... Named the AFL's Ironman of the Week following a great two-way performance in the 55-37 victory over Grand Rapids in Week 2 ... Recorded four receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown, added a 3-yard rushing TD, while recording 2.5 tackles and a 44-yard interception return for a TD on defense ... Interception return is second longest in the AFL this season ... He has been named Ironman of the Game in three of the Crush's first seven games (vs. LV 2/6, @ GR 2/14, vs. Aus. 2/27) ... Caught six passes for 133 yards vs. his former team at San Jose on 3/14.

DS Rashad Floyd: Leads the league in interceptions with four ... Has been named Defensive Player of the Game in four of the first seven games (@ GR 2/14, vs. Aus. 2/27, @ Phi. 3/21) ... Made two interceptions and 8.5 tackles at Philadelphia ... Has a team-high 52.5 tackles on the season.

INJURY REPORT
Colorado Crush
Player Pos. Injury Status
Maurice Anderson OL/DL Right Knee on IR (1/27)
Patrick Downey OL/DL Groin Strain on IR (3/12)
Windrell Hayes WR/DB Right Knee on IR (1/30)
Nate Jacquet WR/DB Rt. Achilles' Rupture on IR (2/2)
John Peaua FB/LB Lt. Knee MCL Sprain on IR (2/1)
Derrick Pickens OL/DL Right Shoulder on IR (1/30)
Robert Redd WR/DB Flu on IR (3/12)
Bryant Shaw OL/DL Lt. Knee MCL Sprain on IR (3/9)

RECENT CRUSH TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
3/16/04 Activated WR/DB Wade Davis from injured reserve and waived him.
3/12/04 Signed OL/DL Aaron Johnson. Placed OL/DL Patrick Downey (groin strain) and WR/DB Robert Redd (flu) on injured reserve. Activated WR/DB Kamau Peterson (left ribs) and WR/DB Tony Scott (foot sprain) from injured reserve.
3/10/04 Waived OL/DL Winfield Garnett.
3/9/04 Placed OL/DL Bryant Shaw on injured reserve (left knee MCL sprain). Activated OL/DL Winfield Garnett from the refused to report list.
2/26/04 Activated WR/DB Dwayne Stukes from the injured list (left quadricep strain).
2/24/04 Placed WR/DB Ron Rogers on waivers.
2/10/04 Signed OL/DL Tyshaun Whitson to the practice squad.
2/4/04 Signed OL/DL Don Klein. Placed WR/DB Tony Scott on injured reserve (sprained foot).
2/2/04 Signed OL/DL Jerry Montgomery and WR/DB Thal Woods to the practice squad. Placed WR/DB Nate Jacquet on injured reserve (ruptured right Achilles' tendon).
2/1/04 Placed FB/LB John Peaua on injured reserve (left knee MCL sprain). Waived OL/DL Don Klein.
1/31/04 Placed WR/DB Wade Davis (strained left hamstring), WR/DB Kamau Peterson (left ribs) and WR/DB Dwayne Stukes (left quadriceps strain) on injured reserve. Waived WR/DB Thal Woods and WR/DB Sam Young. Released OL/DL Aaron Hamilton.
1/31/04 Traded WR/LB Joe Douglass to the LOS ANGELES AVENGERS for future considerations.
1/30/04 Placed WR/DB Windrell Hayes (right knee) and OL/DL Derrick Pickens (right shoulder) on injured reserve. Waived OL/DL Jerry Montgomery.
1/29/04 Placed QB Matt Lytle on waivers. Released QB Jay McDonagh.
1/27/04 Signed FB/LB Chad Dukes. Placed OL/DL Maurice Anderson on injured reserve (rt. knee).
1/26/04 Waived FB/LB Byron Thweatt.
1/18/04 Activated K Anthony Brenner from the refused to report list. Waived WR/DB Zek Parker.
1/16/04 Signed OL/DL Dustin Barno and OL/DL Jerry Montgomery.

MILESTONES
With his 38-yard performance vs. Austin on 2/27, Crush FB/LB Chad Dukes passed Bo Kelly for third place on the AFL's all-time rushing list. Dukes was already one of only four players in AFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his career. He now needs 105 yards to move into second place.
AFL Career Rushing Yards
Player Team 2004 Career
Les Barley — — 1,382
Andre Bowden TAM 5 1,199
Chad Dukes COL 68 1,094
Bo Kelly LV — 1,063
Bob McMillen CHI 118 982
Major Harris — — 832
Travis Pearson — — 829
Cedric McKinnon — — 793

OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown: A true AFL Ironman, he is in his 10th season in the league and has never missed a game. The game vs. Arizona will mark his 147th consecutive start.

OS Damian Harrell: Has the most receiving yards in the AFL since 2000.

AFL Receiving Leaders (2000-04)
Catches – Receiving Yards
Player (team) 2000-03 2004 Total
Damian Harrell (COL) 348 - 4,851 42 - 629 390 - 5,480
Chris Jackson (LA) 355 - 4,992 34 - 437 389 - 5,429
Mike Horacek (IND) 363 - 4,735 36 - 513 399 – 5,248
Greg Hopkins (LA) 400 - 4,888 26 - 312 426 - 5,200



FAMILIAR FACES
Crush kicker Anthony Brenner played for the Rattlers in 1997 and for three games in 1999. Arizona won ArenaBowl XI following the 1997 season with Brenner as kicker.
In addition, Crush FB/LB John Peaua, who has spent the entire season on the injured list with a sprained left MCL, played for Arizona from 2001-03.

HOME COOKIN'
When you come to a Crush game don't plan on leaving early. While the team is off to a 3-0 start at Pepsi Center, the three games have been decided by a grand total of four points. In fact, the Crush scored two touchdowns in the final 12 seconds to escape with a 43-42 win in the season opener over Las Vegas. In contrast, they were the one staving off a late Detroit comeback when they stopped the Fury's potential game-winning two-point conversion attempt to hold on to a 62-61 win. The Crush finished 0-8 at home a year ago, losing multiple tight games.

THE NUMBERS GAME
Although the Crush is 5-2, they have been outscored 307-328 this season. Only two of the eight other AFL teams at .500 or better has allowed more points than they have scored. Austin is 4-2 despite being outscored 307-310 and Georgia is 4-3 but has been outscored 346-380 on the year.


TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
The Crush were named recipient of the Arena Football League's 2003 Commissioner's Award. The Award is presented annually to the AFL franchise that has the best business operations in the League.

"This is a tremendous and unique honor for our organization. The collective commitment to excellence displayed by dozens of individuals in our organization allowed us to experience a memorable inaugural season in the AFL," stated Ronald O. Sally, president of the Colorado Crush.

NEW BLOOD
In addition to a new coaching staff, the Crush features a revamped roster. Only five players from last year's inaugural season made the 2004 opening day roster, and with Bryant Shaw now on injured reserve, only four active players are in their second Crush season.

Returning 2003 Players
John Dutton Saul Patu Ahmad Hawkins
Damian Harrell Bryant Shaw (IR)

FLOCK OF FIREBIRDS
With Coach Dailey's move to the Crush came a flock of former Albany and Indiana Firebirds migrated west to Denver. In all seven Crush players and three Crush coaches stopped in either Albany, Indiana or both before reaching the Rockies.

Former Firebirds (years with Firebirds)
Players Coaches
Jose Davis (2003) Mike Dailey (1992-2003)
Chad Dukes (1996-98) Ernesto Purnsley (1997-98, 2000-03)
Hugh Hunter (2002-03) Brian Partlow (2000-03)
Aaron Johnson (2001-03)
Kyle Moore-Brown (1995-2003)
Sunungura Rusununguko (2002-03)
Rich Young (2002-03)

CALL TO THE HALL
Legendary Denver Broncos QB and Crush chief executive officer and co-owner John Elway was among four players named as the NFL Hall of Fame class of 2004. Elway is the winningest quarterback in NFL history (148-82-1) and led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, including championships in his final two seasons. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIII.



AWARDS

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Damian Harrell (COL))
2 @ Gr. Rapids John Dutton (COL)
3 @ Chicago Raymond Philyaw (CHI)
4 vs. Austin John Dutton (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Damian Harrell (COL)
6 @ San Jose Mark Grieb (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Damian Harrell (COL)


ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Ahmad Hawkins (COL)
2 @ Gr. Rapids Rashad Floyd (COL)
3 @ Chicago John Moyer (CHI)
4 vs. Austin Rashad Floyd (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Willis Marshall (COL)
6 @ San Jose Joe Jacobs (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Rashad Floyd (COL)


ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME
(selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 vs. Las Vegas Kevin McKenzie (COL)
2 @ Gr. Rapids Kevin McKenzie (COL)
3 @ Chicago Jamie McGourty (CHI)
4 vs. Austin Kevin McKenzie (COL)
5 vs. Detroit Willis Marshall (COL)
6 @ San Jose Rashied Davis (SJ)
7 @ Philadelphia Chris Ryan (PHI)


AFL IRONMAN OF THE WEEK: Kevin McKenzie (Week 2)








CRUSH NOTABLES

Team
· At 5-2, the Crush has already doubled their win total from their entire inaugural season
· The Crush finished 0-8 at home last season. They have the 2004 season 3-0 at Pepsi Center.
· The Crush's three home wins are by a combined four points.
· Crush is one of only three teams in the AFL with a winning record that has been outscored on the season (Austin, Georgia).
· Prior to this season the team had never been over .500 or won consecutive games. The team has been over .500 the entire season and has won back-to-back games twice.
· The Crush has been held scoreless in a quarter only once this season (2nd @ SJ on 3/14).
· The Crush held Philadelphia to an opponent season-low 33 points and 204 total yards. Both previous lows were set by Austin (35 points, 214 yards) on 2/27.

Individual
· Rattlers head coach Danny White (131) and Crush coach Mike Dailey (68) are the second and seventh winningest coaches in AFL history.
· Damian Harrell made his 400th career reception during the game vs. Detroit on 3/4.
· Harrell also made his 50th TD catch with the Crush during that game.
· Chad Dukes needs 105 yards to become the second leading rusher in AFL history.
· Damian Harrell had a Crush season-high 160 yards receiving at Philadelphia on 3/21.


AROUND THE AFL (WEEK 8):
Friday, March 26
Grand Rapids (0-6) @ Indiana (2-5) - 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles (4-2) @ San Jose (5-1) - 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 27
Tampa Bay (2-5) @ Georgia (4-3) – 5 p.m.
Las Vegas (3-4) @ Orlando (2-4) – 5:30 p.m.
Carolina (3-4) @ New Orleans (6-1) – 6 p.m.

Sunday, March 28
Detroit (2-4) @ Chicago (5-1) – 1 p.m.
Philadelphia (3-4) @ Austin (4-2) – 1 p.m.

BYE: Columbus (1-6), Dallas (5-2),
New York (4-3)
(All times Mountain)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 24, 2004


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