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Dragons Announce 2004 Roster

February 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


The Dragons enter the 2004 season with high expectations as Todd Shell enters his first full season as Head Coach after taking over the squad four games into 2003 and guiding the team to the AFL East Crown and a playoff win over Chicago. With the core of the championship team intact along with several rookie prospects, the Dragons hope they have the recipe for what should be a team that will contend for the ArenaBowl title.

Here's a look at the 2004 New York Dragons.

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINE

It may be a cliché, but it's true. The area where most football games are won is in the trenches and it's where the team showed the most improvement after mid-season. The key for the linemen is always make sure their quarterback is hit more than your quarterback.

#18 Jermaine Miles -The product of Nassau Community College and Georgia Tech was one of the most improved Dragons over the course of last season. He adjusted well in his first season of Arena Football and became a force on the defensive side of the ball. He spent the off-season coaching his alma mater right by the Coliseum and came into camp in tremendous shape. Miles brings intensity to the game that few can match.

#66 Marcus Owen -The third year player from Kansas comes into camp in the best shape of his career. "Snowball" made great strides when Shell took over last season and has the potential to be one of the more consistent lineman on the team. He snaps, he blocks, he goes after the opposing quarterback.

#91 Tim McGill - It wasn't a deal that created much buzz around the AFL, but the Dragons made a shrewd move when they dealt QB Matt Nagy to the Carolina Cobras in exchange for McGill. Head Coach Todd Shell loves this guy and thinks he has a chance to be one of the best pass rushers in the AFL. He's strong and quick and you might be hearing his name called on many occasions.

#99 Corey Brannon – The newly signed veteran AFL lineman played for Coach Shell in Arizona from 1993-1995. He makes his return to Arena Football this season

Four key veterans are #69 Jerry Sharp, #72 Matt Steeple, #82 Anthony Hutch and #90 Ken Talanoa. With over five years AFL experience for all four players, they provide the veteran leadership all winning teams need. The only rookie lineman is #84 Richard Harris out of Indiana St.

FULLBACKS/LINEBACKERS

The Dragons have a lot of depth in this area and can move their positions on the field around as they can have two linebackers on the field at once.

#34 Rodney Filer - One of the best two-way players in the game, Filer had a terrific 2003 campaign being named Second-Team All-Arena. With Larry Kuharich taking over as offensive coordinator, expect the Dragons to utilize the running game a little more and that means more of Filer. On defense, Filer loves to get to the quarterback and his hit on Rush QB Billy Dicken in the closing seconds sealed the Dragons win in Chicago.

#40 Josh White – The former Hawaiian Islander standout, Josh "Zeus" White is a powerful runner and fierce competitor. White has battled through a serious eye injury suffered when he was younger and has never looked back.

#43 Joey Dozier – An AFL veteran that spent last season with the Colorado Crush brings more leadership to the team. A solid two-way player, Dozier has recorded over 15 rushing touchdowns for his career along with six fumble recoveries.

#45 Chin Achebe – While he has battled injuries in the past, Achebe is very valuable at he linebacker position and can even be moved up to play on the defensive line. One of the fiercest competitors on the team, the Dragons hope he stays healthy as he will start the season on injured reserve.

WIDE RECEIVERS/DEFENSIVE BACKS/LINEBACKERS The Dragons will have a different look at this position in 2004. Some familiar faces have gone elsewhere, the fire-breathing brass has assembled a group of newcomers that will dazzle the fans.

#1 Curtis Fagan - Fagan is an AFL rookie and comes to the Dragons from the University of Oklahoma where he won a National Championship with the Sooners. At 6'0" 175, Fagan has the makeup and speed a team looks for in Arena Football.

#2 Eddie Brown - This 11-year veteran returns to the AFL after sitting out the 2003 season. Nicknamed "Downtown", Brown is a deep threat that will no doubt reel in plenty of throws from Aaron Garcia. Brown is no stranger to Arena Football fans in New York. However, he will start the season on injured reserve.

#21 Sean Riley - A four-year AFL veteran, Riley spent 2003 with the Las Vegas Gladiators. Riley brings speed and experience to the Dragons.

#26 William Holder - Started the season on the practice squad before Coach Shell took over and decided to put him in the lineup. Turned out to be a great move as Holder became a very reliable player catching three touchdown passes in home playoff win over Chicago while battling concussion suffered on the game's first play.

#86 Chris Anthony – One of the AFL's top rookies in 2003, Anthony was QB Aaron Garcia's most reliable outlet catching several key passes following the departure of OS Mike Furrey to the NFL. Anthony is also a solid defensive player, intercepting passes in three straight games last season.

OFFENSIVE SPECIALIST

Dragons fans have been spoiled at this position over the years. In 2001, Kevin Swayne was Aaron Garcia's go-to guy and that got him a ticket to the NFL with the Jets. Then came Mike Furrey who dazzled the fans with 27 touchdowns in 2002 and 46 more last year before signing with the St. Louis Rams. Who's Next?

#4 Richmond Flowers - Flowers is another rookie that is expected to be a contributor to the Dragons in 2004. If the name sounds familiar, you're right. He was once in camp with the Jets and was featured prominently on HBO's "Hard Knocks" when he was in camp with the Dallas Cowboys. He will start the season on injured reserve.

#14 Vinny Sutherland – An AFL rookie but NFL veteran played two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. The former Purdue standout will look to become Aaron Garcia's leading target in 2004.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST

This is another strength of the Dragons with four very talented players.

#9 Donvetis Franklin – This two-year star led the AFL with 93.5 tackles and was fourth with 25 passes defended. Here's a scary thought for the other 18 teams in the League, as he normally shuts down the opposing team's OS. With another year under his belt, he's only going to get better.

#17 – Lincoln DuPree – The Eastern Michigan standout will add depth to an already solid position. Under Todd Shell's direction, he is certain to get better with more experience.

#23 Terrance Joseph - A new addition to the Dragons, the 6'1" 201 pound second year AFL'er from Tulsa brings speed and depth to the secondary. Joseph also played for the San Francisco Demons of the XFL.

#27 Corey Johnson - Johnson was a mid-season acquisition for the Dragons in 2003 and became a mainstay in the fire-breathing defense. In just eight regular season games, Johnson racked up 22.5 tackles, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions including one for a touchdown.

QUARTERBACK

Does this section really need much of an introduction?

#8 Aaron Garcia- For the second time in the last three years, Garcia reached the century mark in touchdown passes last season with 100 and he did it despite missing two games due to injury. In the playoffs, Aaron tossed 14 more scoring strikes including eight against Orlando. Garcia also became the second quarterback in AFL history to throw 500 touchdown passes in a career. Who will back him up? Here are the contenders:

#10 Chris Boden - Having been a backup before with the Indiana Firebirds, Boden is ready to backup the AFL's best quarterback. He played for Scranton/Wilkes Barre in af2 last season. The former Villanova star also played for the New Haven Ninjas in 2002.

KICKER

One of the most controversial areas in 2003, the Dragons went through more kickers than they would like to mention. One of those proud members of the ‘04 Dragons kicking squad, Pete Elezovic has been re-signed to the team. Elezovic kicked in five games for the Dragons going 20-of-29 on extra points.

COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Todd Shell - The 2003 AFL Coach of the Year Shell replaced John Gregory after the Dragons started the season 0-4. Two more losses would follow but Shell was able to help turn the Dragons fortunes around by guiding the club to the AFL East title. A two-time Super Bowl champion as a player with the San Francisco 49ers, the former linebacker brings a defensive, no nonsense mentality to the Dragons. He has also brought a top-notch staff with him.

Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator Lary Kuharich - It seems like the AFL's "Coach K" has been around for almost as long as the league, but Lary brings a wealth of experience to the Dragons. He's also had experience coaching in the metropolitan area serving as Head Coach of the New York CityHawks and New Jersey Gladiators. Kuharich plans on tweaking an already explosive Dragons offense using the running game a little more. There are two things you have to do to win a championship in football....play good defense and run the ball.

Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coach Derrick Chachere - Chachere did a terrific job in 2003. He inserted Donvetis Franklin as the kick returner and Franklin responded by returning 42 kicks for 816 yards and a touchdown. Chachere also earned high marks for his work with the FB/LB's including Rodney Filer and Chin Achebe.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 4, 2004


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