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Columbus Destroyers game notes

April 6, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Columbus Destroyers (1-8) at
Arizona Rattlers (2-8)
Date: Friday, April 8, 2005
Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. (ET)
Site: America West Arena (16,321)
Officials: Pat Garvey, Referee; Paul King, Umpire; Bill Ward, Head Linesman; RG Detillier, Line Judge; Billy Beckett, Back Judge
Radio: Columbus' flagship station WAZU-107.1 FM "The Big Wazoo" will broadcast the game live with Marty Bannister and Greg Frey.
Television: FSN-OH (tape delayed); FSN-AZ (Kent Derdivanis, Ron Wolfley, Kevin McCabe)
Series Record: The Rattlers hold a 4-1 all-time series advantage over the Destroyers, including one playoff meeting.
Series Streaks: The Destroyers and Rattlers first met on July 27, 2000 in the first round of the playoffs, with the Rattlers claiming a 41-34 victory in Arizona. The two teams have met four times in the regular season, with the Rattlers besting the Destroyers 3 games to 1. Arizona won the first two regular season meetings in 2001 and 2002 before splitting games in 2003 and 2004. Arizona won in the only meeting last season, 65-42.
Coaches: Columbus, Chris Spielman, 1st season (1-8 in 2005, 1-8 overall). Arizona, Todd Shell, 7th season (2-8 in 2005, 49-48 overall).

OVERVIEW: The Destroyers are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, marking the second consecutive season the club has endured a six-game slide. Columbus cut a 20-point second half deficit to three last Sunday versus the Philadelphia Soul; however the team eventually fell short to the visiting Soul, 62-45, at Nationwide Arena. With the loss, the Destroyers fell to 1-8 on the season and 0-3 in the Eastern Division. The Destroyers are on the road for the next two weeks, first facing the Rattlers on Friday before traveling to New Orleans to take on the VooDoo on Saturday, April 16.
The Destroyers face an Arizona squad that has endured their own hardships this season, sporting a 2-8 record through ten weeks of play. After a season-opening victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage, the Rattlers lost seven in a row before ending their losing streak two weeks ago versus Nashville. Arizona is coming off a 48-27 loss to San Jose on Sunday.

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (1-8)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/28 NASHVILLE 7:00 L (47-38) 0-1
2/13 @Dallas 3:00 L (35-31) 0-2
2/19 CHICAGO 7:00 W (52-39) 1-2
2/27 @Grand Rapids 3:00 L (66-57) 1-3
3/06 @Georgia 2:00 L (55-48) 1-4
3/12 LAS VEGAS 7:00 L (63-34) 1-5
3/20 @Colorado 3:00 L (52-37) 1-6
3/26 NEW YORK 7:00 L (56-55) 1-7
4/03 PHILADELPHIA 12:00 L (62-45) 1-8
4/08 @Arizona 10:00 - -
4/16 @New Orleans 8:00 - -
4/22 DALLAS 7:00 - -
4/30 AUSTIN 7:00 - -
5/07 @New York 7:00 - -
5/15 @Philadelphia 1:00 - -
5/22 TAMPA BAY 3:00 - -
*All Times Eastern

ARIZONA RATTLERS (2-8)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/28 @ Grand Rapids 7:30 W (58-38) 1-0
2/03 ORLANDO 9:00 L (51-40) 1-1
2/12 @ Georgia 7:00 L (61-47) 1-2
2/19 COLORADO 9:30 L (74-69) 1-3
2/27 @ New York 3:00 L (61-37) 1-4
3/06 LOS ANGELES 8:00 L (33-29) 1-5
3/13 @ Tampa Bay 12:00 L (59-56) 1-6
3/19 LAS VEGAS 9:00 L (66-63) 1-7
3/28 @ Nashville 8:30 W (48-35) 2-7
4/03 @ San Jose 9:00 L (48-27) 2-8
4/08 COLUMBUS 10:00 - -
4/22 AUSTIN 10:00 - -
4/30 @ Los Angeles 10:30 - -
5/07 CHICAGO 10:00 - -
5/14 SAN JOSE 10:00 - -
5/22 @ Las Vegas 3:00 - -
*All Times Eastern

A COLUMBUS WIN OVER ARIZONA WOULD...

· Give the Destroyers their second win of the season
· Give the Destroyers their first road win of the season
· End the Destroyers current six-game losing streak
· Give the Destroyers their second all-time win over Arizona
· Prevent the Destroyers from falling to 1-9 for the first time since the 1999 season

DESTROYERS Last Week:
Philadelphia Soul 62 Columbus Destroyers 45
Marcus Knight caught three touchdown passes and Philadelphia's defense stopped a rally by Columbus to give the Soul a 62-45 victory over the Destroyers before a crowd of 15,316 at Nationwide Arena last Sunday afternoon. The Destroyers cut a 20 point second half deficit to three late in the fourth quarter, however Philadelphia scored with one minute left when Tony Graziani hit Tyronne Jones on a 3-yard pass to make the score 55-45. Knight capped the afternoon with a 38-yard touchdown catch with 0:25 left that put the game out of reach for the Destroyers. Knight finished with four catches for 81 yards, while Steve Smith pulled in five catches for 60 yards and one touchdown for the Soul. Graziani finished 20 of 29 for 261 yards with seven touchdowns. Columbus was led by Damien Groce, who made nine catches for 109 yards with two touchdowns. Sedrick Robinson added four catches for 38 yards and one touchdown. Matt D'Orazio completed 24 of 44 passes for 253 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for two touchdowns. Columbus scored first on a 2-yard touchdown run by D'Orazio. Philadelphia answered when Chris Ryan scored with 6:43 remaining in the first quarter on a 1-yard run, but Tim Seder missed the extra point. The Soul scored again on a 29-yard touchdown pass play from Graziani to Tyronne Jones to end the quarter with the score, 13-7. The Destroyers opened the second quarter with D'Orazio completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Groce. The Soul then scored back-to-back touchdowns to Marcus Knight, the first from 15 and second from 19 yards to put Philadelphia up 27-14. Columbus responded when Justin Isom scooped up a fumble by D'Orazio and scampered to the end zone from 10 yards. But Philadelphia's Sean Scott caught a 6-yard touchdown pass with 0:8 left to make the halftime score 34-21. Columbus made a comeback in the third quarter by recovering an onside kick After Philadelphia scored with 9:59 left, D'Orazio connected with Sedrick Robinson and Groce after recovering an onside kick. Both scores were from 11 yards out that pulled the Destroyers within six at 41-35.
THIS WEEK's OPPONENT:
The Arizona Rattlers are one of the most tenured franchises in the Arena Football League, currently in their 14th season in the league. Only the Orlando Predators and Tampa Bay Storm have been in the AFL longer than the Rattlers with the Predators joining the league in 1991 and the Storm playing their first season in 1987 as the Pittsburgh Gladiators. Arizona is off to their worst start in franchise history, sporting a 2-8 record entering Friday's game with the Destroyers. The Rattlers are led by veteran head coach Todd Shell. Shell is in his seventh season as a head coach and first as head coach of the Rattlers, replacing the legendary coach Danny White, who won two ArenaBowls (1994, 1997) while coaching the Rattlers from 1992-2004. Former Ohio State quarterback Joe Germaine has started for Arizona the past two weeks under center due to injuries afflicting the club's normal starting quarterback, Sherdrick Bonner. In the past two games, Germaine has completed 44-of-71 passes for 524 yards and nine touchdowns with one interception. The Rattlers aerial attack is led by four-year AFL veteran OS Siaha Burley, who is the club's leading receiver with 85 catches for 1,138 yards and 26 touchdowns. Burley is one of the league's top receivers and is one of only three receivers over 1,000 yards receiving already this season. His 85 catches is third in the AFL and his 1,138 yards ranks second among all receivers in the league. In addition his 26 TD receptions ranks second behind only Colorado OS Damian Harrell, who leads the league with 27 TD receptions this season.
LAST MEETING WITH ARIZONA:
Following a steady first half play, the Destroyers faltered in the second half to drop a 65-42 decision to the Rattlers at America West Arena in Phoenix on March 5, 2004. Rattlers quarterback Sherdrick Bonner led Arizona to victory after completing 11-of-14 pass attempts for 148 yards and four passing touchdowns, while also rushing for a score in the contest. Offensive specialist Siaha Burley led the Rattlers receiving attack with a game-high nine catches for 105 yards and four touchdowns. Destroyers quarterback Ryan Vena returned as the team's starting quarterback, completing 18-of-28 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Vena also rushed for 25 yards and two scores in a losing effort. The Rattlers got the fireworks started early after offensive specialist Siaha Burley returned the game's opening kick 54 yards for a touchdown as Arizona jumped out to a 7-0 lead only twelve seconds into the contest. Three consecutive Destroyers defensive penalties for a total of 26 yards assisted the Rattlers to their second score of the game. The two teams would trade touchdowns throughout the second quarter before Destroyers kicker Steve Videtich had field goal attempt block to end the stretch of consecutive scoring drives late in the second quarter. Arizona had 41 seconds to work with at the end of the first half to put together a scoring drive. The Rattlers made the most of the remaining time on the clock as Bonner hooked up with Burley for a 29-yard touchdown connection with two seconds left in the half, stretching Arizona's lead to ten at the break. The Destroyers continued their second half woes being outscored 21-7 in the third quarter, turning the ball over on consecutive possessions to fall behind Arizona 52-28 through three quarters of play. The Destroyers regained life early in the forth quarter when Sloth picked off a Joe Germaine pass attempt and returned it to the Arizona 15 yard-line. However, Columbus would go three and out to turn the ball over on downs. Germaine, a former Ohio State Buckeye, replaced Bonner for the Rattlers first possession of the fourth quarter. Columbus would score two late touchdowns to pull within sixteen, however proved to be too little to late as Arizona would go on to claim their third consecutive victory.
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS VS ARIZONA
Date Score
July 27, 2000 ARIZONA 41, BUFFALO 34 *playoffs
May 26, 2001 ARIZONA 50, BUFFALO 14
June 28, 2002 ARIZONA 69, BUFFALO 42
February 14, 2003 BUFFALO 49, ARIZONA 45
March 5, 2004 ARIZONA 65, COLUMBUS 42
DESTROYERS NOTABLES:


DÉJÀ VU
Last week's loss to the Philadelphia Soul marked the sixth consecutive loss for the Destroyers in the team's last six games with the season just over the halfway point. The six game slide is strikingly similar to last year when the Destroyers endured a six game losing streak during the first half of the 2004 season. Last year, the Destroyers rebounded from the slow start to finish above the .500 mark in the last nine games of the season.

MARCH OF HARD TIMES
The Destroyers have struggled in the month of March the past two seasons, sporting a 0-7 record during the third month of the calendar year. The Destroyers went 0-3 in their inaugural season and finished 0-4 in March this season.

CENTURY MARK
Destroyers offensive specialist Damien Groce is off to his best season as a pro. The four-year AFL veteran is currently the Destroyers' leading receiver in his first year with the team. Prior to this season, Groce had only one 100-yard plus receiving game in his career. In the past three games, Groce has eclipsed the century mark three times with games of 141, 113 and 109 yards receiving. He has four 100 yard receiving games this season, the most of any Destroyers receiver.

A CAREER YEAR
OS Damien Groce is on pace to set career highs in all major offensive categories. He currently leads the Destroyers aerial attack with 58 catches for 786 yards and ten touchdowns in just over one half of a season. His previous top season-long totals were 73 catches for 881 yards and 19 scores in 2004. He's on pace to accumulate over 1,000 yards receiving and 1,000 yards in the return game for the first time in his career. He is currently fifth in the AFL in all-purpose yards with 1,412 yards gained through nine games.

TOO MUCH LAUNDRY
The Destroyers have been hampered this season by mental mistakes; namely too many penalties and inopportune times. Columbus is the third most penalized team in the league in front of Georgia and Las Vegas. The Destroyers have been penalized 102 times for 607 yards this season; giving up 67.4 yards per game due to penalties.

BALL PROTECTION
So far this season, the Destroyers have been a little too generous with the ball, giving it up to their opponents 23 times, which is 16th in the league in front of only Las Vegas. The Destroyers are currently last in the AFL in the turnover ratio, currently at -14 in the give-away, take-away category. Columbus turned the ball over three times last week vs. the Soul (2 INT, 1 FUM), which could have been more as the club fumbled the ball a total of six times in the contest. The Destroyers' sole with this season has come during the only week they won the turnover battle (week four vs. Chicago).

RETURN GAME
The Destroyers are one of only three teams currently to have amassed over 1,000 return yards with 1,143 on the season (Arizona 1,181 and San Jose 1,061), while averaging 20.1 yards per return (3rd in AFL). The club's return game is led by Damien Groce and Sedirck Robinson, who have split return duties thus far. Groce has 29 returns for 588 yards (6th in AFL) and two touchdowns (T-3rd in AFL). Robinson has 24 returns for 493 yards (10th) and two scores (T-3rd in AFL). In addition the Destroyers have returned three interceptions for a total of 57 yards. The team's 19.0 yard average per return is tops in the Arena Football League.

KICK COVERAGE
To compliment the Destroyers' strong return game, the club also boasts one of the top kick coverage squads in the league. The Destroyers are currently second in the league in kick coverage, giving up just 13.3 yards per return.

WHEELS
Destroyers quarterback Matt D'Orazio looks like your prototypical pocket passer. However, thus far, D'Orazio has spent quite a bit of time outside the pocket, moving his team downfield with his legs. Entering Friday's game with Arizona, D'Orazio is the league's second-leading rusher behind only Grand Rapids QB Michael Bishop. On the season, D'Orazio has rushed the ball 34 times for 144 yards and five touchdowns. His 44-yard scamper two weeks ago vs. New York still stands as the longest rush from scrimmage in the league this season.


CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR
Of the Destroyers' eight loses this season, the point differential has been nine points or less five times including a narrow one-point loss to New York two weeks ago. In Columbus' first four defeats of the season, the team lost by an average of only seven points. Despite a 29-point loss to Las Vegas in week seven, Columbus' eight defeats have come by an average of only 12.5 points.

REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
Wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White became the Destroyers' all-time leading receiver in week one and continues to build on his mark in his third season with the team. With five catches two weeks ago, White surpassed OS Bobby Olive, who is also still playing, to become the club's all-time leader in every major receiving category. He is currently the team's all-time leader in receptions (197), receiving yards (2,401), touchdowns scored (50), receiving touchdowns (49) and points scored (310). Olive, who had two catches for 30 yards two weeks ago before being inactive last week, is now second in franchise history in career receptions (191), yards (2,001) and is first all-time in single-season receptions (106) and single-season receiving yards (1,184).

DESTROYERS CAREER RECEIVING LEADERS
Player Career Receptions
Cornelius White 197 (2003-2005)
Bobby Olive 191 (1999-2002, 2005)

Player Career Receiving Yards
Cornelius White 2,401 (2003-2005)
Bobby Olive 2,001 (1999-2002, 2005)

Player Career Receiving Touchdowns
Cornelius White 49 (2003-2005)
Darrick Branch 29 (1999-2001)

PROGRAMMING NOTE
Friday's game with the Rattlers is set to kick off at 7 p.m. in Arizona, which is 10 p.m. local time in Columbus. The game is scheduled to air on FSN-Ohio with a two hour tape delay. The game will be shown at midnight (ET) in Ohio.

DESTROYERS ATTENDANCE STILL STRONG
The Destroyers sold out four of eight home games during their inaugural season, eventually averaging over 16,000 fans in attendance per home game in 2004.

The club has picked up where they left off last season, having recorded sellout crowds of 17,171 in three of their first five home games this season. The Destroyers have now recorded sellouts in 7 out of 13 home games in Columbus dating back to the club's inaugural season.


DESTROYERS TACKLE HUNGER
When the Columbus Destroyers kicked off the 2005 AFL season, the team also kicked off a new community initiative in conjunction with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to "Tackle Hunger" in Central Ohio. Beginning with the home opener and continuing throughout the 2005 season, fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to each home game at Nationwide Arena for donation to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. In turn, fans will receive one raffle ticket per donated food item for a chance to win a team-autographed, authentic AFL football. One winner will be announced during the fourth quarter of each game. In addition to the eight-game collection drive, members of the Columbus Destroyers plan to further support the "Tackle Hunger" initiative with visits to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to help pack boxes for distribution to local food pantries. Players and team personnel will also lend a hand at Faith Mission to serve meals and spend time with residents during several trips scheduled throughout the season.

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Destroyers and Rattlers match up after ten weeks of play.

2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS – STAT (RANK)
Category Columbus Arizona
Scoring Offense 41.1 (16th) 47.4 (12th)
Scoring Defense 52.8 (14th) 52.6 (13th)
Total Offense 264.8 (14th) 279.0 (9th)
Total Defense 269.3 (7th) 256.6 (4th)
Touchdowns Scored 54 (16th) 68 (T-5th)
Pass Offense 239.8 (13th) 264.8 (8th)
Pass Defense 242.2 (4th) 244.0 (6th)
Rushing Offense 25.0 (6th) 14.2 (13th)
Rushing Defense 27.1 (15th) 12.6 (1st)
Field Goals Made 7-16 (T-7th) 3-11 (13th)
Field Goal Percentage .438 (9th) .273 (15th)
Kick Return Yards 1,143 (2nd) 1,181 (1st)
Kickoff Return Average 20.1 (3rd) 19.4 (4th)
Kick Return Touchdowns 5 (2nd) 2 (T-5th)
Kickoff Coverage 13.3 (2nd) 19.6 (15th)
3rd Down Efficiency 33-77 (10th) 38-73 (3rd)
4th Down Efficiency 11-20 (T-3rd) 10-20 (T-6th)
Red Zone Offense 28-38 (13th) 42-55 (12th)
Red Zone Defense 345-39 (16th) 39-48 (10th)
Avg. Time of Possession 30:26 (10th) 30:34 (8th)
Turnover Margin -14 (17th) -8 (14th)

NEXT WEEK
Following Friday's game in Arizona, the Destroyers remain on the road when the club travels to New Orleans to face the VooDoo at New Orleans Arena on Saturday, April 16.

The VooDoo owns a 1-0 all-time series advantage over the Destroyers with the two franchises' only meeting coming on April 18 of last season when the VooDoo bested the Destroyers, 64-46, in New Orleans.

DESTROYERS RECENT Transactions:

4/4/05: Waived wide receiver/defensive back Jason Waters

4/1/05: Placed quarterback Ryan Vena and wide receiver/defensive back Lenzie Jackson on injured reserve; signed quarterback Scott McMullen and wide receiver/linebacker Chris Curd off the practice squad; signed wide receiver/defensive back Jason Waters and quarterback Tommy Jones to the practice squad

3/23/05: Signed lineman Jon Hall to practice squad; placed fullback/linebacker Sedrick Irvin on injured reserve

3/18/05: Signed defensive specialist Justin Isom off the practice squad

3/17/05: Traded defensive specialist JoJo Polk to Grand Rapids for fullback/linebacker Sedrick Irvin; signed lineman Ronnie Washburn; activated lineman LaKendrick Jones; placed lineman Norris McCleary on injured reserve

3/3/05: Activated linemen Troy Pelshak and Bryan Ray off injured reserve; placed fullback/linebacker Chris Pope and lineman LaKendrick Jones on injured reserve

3/1/05: Signed wide receiver/linebacker Chris Curd to the practice squad

2/24/05: Signed offensive specialist Randall Lane off the practice squad

2/17/05: Activated fullback/linebacker Juan Long off injured reserve

2/15/05: Released quarterback Chad Salisbury

2/15/05: Waived wide receiver/linebacker D.J. Humphries

2/15/05: Signed quarterback Ryan Vena

2/15/05: Traded lineman Carey Clayton to Nashville for defensive specialist Art Smith (Other League Exempt: NFL-Green Bay)

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 2005 RECORD WHEN...
HOME 1-4
AWAY 0-4
FRIDAY 0-1
SATURDAY 1-2
SUNDAY 0-5
VS EASTERN 0-3
VS CENTRAL 1-3
VS WESTERN 0-1
VS SOUTHERN 0-1
JANUARY 0-1
FEBRUARY 1-2
MARCH 0-4
APRIL 0-1
MAY 0-0
SCORE FIRST 1-7
OPPONENT SCORE FIRST 0-1
AHEAD AT HALF 1-2
BEHIND AT HALF 0-5
TIED AT HALF 0-1
AHEAD AFTER 3RD QTR 1-1
BEHIND AFTER 3RD QTR 0-7
TIED AFTER 3RD QTR 0-0
PLUS TURNOVER RATIO 1-0
EVEN TURNOVER RATIO 0-1
MINUS TURNOVER RATIO 0-7
MORE TOTAL OFFENSE 1-3
LESS TOTAL OFFENSE 0-5
OUTCOME 7 POINTS OR LESS 0-2
OUTCOME 3 POINTS OR LESS 0-1
OVERTIME 0-0



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 6, 2005


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