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Dragons can't overcome pointless first half

by David Holusha
April 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons


For a head coach, the task it seems is always changing. When facing an opponent with a superior record, what then is the goal? "I've got to find a way to get my team to be motivated and play the game like they did in the second half," said Weylan Harding. "For some reason we really respond to controversy."

However, there was nothing controversial about the outcome as the Dallas Desperados defeated the NY Dragons 46-28 on Sunday. Dallas QB Clint Dolezel threw four touchdown passes, completing 21 of 45 passes for a total of 256 yards.

Whether it was a question of an exceptional Dallas Defense, or the Dragons offense simply missing their marks, New York was held without a point in the first half. With the score 25-0 at the break, what could coach Harding say to his embattled warriors?

"I told them we have to fight," said Harding. "Just let your hands fly. Don't be in there timid. However it turns out, let it all hang out. You're my team and I'm proud of you through thick and thin."

The Dragons responded with a valiant effort for the remainder of the game. Twice closing the gap to a mere 11 points, as they outscored Dallas 28-21 in the second half.

"I give my team credit for responding and fighting back the way they did in the second half," continued Harding. "I don't think it was necessarily a lack of motivation, because we knew what was at stake. What I saw was us feeling our way though that first half. Almost as if we were unsure we should be out there with this team."

"There was some missed execution. We've got to be able to hit guys when their open. We've also got to be able to protect them at crucial moments. All this started to happen with more consistency in the second half"

If only the Dragons play in the first half had yielded similar results, it may have been a different story. At one point during what was still a scoreless first quarter, the Dragons had the ball deep and went for it on 4th down. However, they were stopped and came away empty handed.

"The timing of the play was a little bit off," said Dragons QB Nick Browder. ‘Check' (WR Mike Horacek) came out of his break and was running a whip route. When he stuck it and came back out, the defender was close to him. I couldn't tell when I let it go, how close the defender actually was. After it was in the air, the defender beat it pretty good. He came out pretty clean. I've got to throw it as if he's right there. I just missed it a little bit. It was just a little wide on that one"

Shortly after that, Dallas scored for the only points of the first quarter. From there, things got worse, as the Dragons were shutout in the first half, as the Destroyers ran off another 18 points.

Then there was the fact that the Dallas defense came up with the big plays when needed.

"Their defense was better than what we've seen so far," continued Browder. "They kept us out of the endzone. But its not like we were intimidated or anything. Were all professionals. Its not like high school or little league, where you look at a record and say ‘oh we can't beat them'. We get hired to do a job."

Yet it was that very same Destroyers defense that delivered the crushing blow, that essentially put the game out of reach.

With Dallas up by two scores, the Dragons were moving the ball consistently, setting up what looked like some sure points. As Browder attempted to pass the ball to Horacek, Jermaine Jones stepped in front for the interception, running it back 47 yards for the TD.

"I was throwing to a spot, and I was a little late on the throw," said Browder. "I was trying to get it to ‘check' and the defender made a very good play."

"We were just missing moments. That interception for a touchdown hurt," added Harding.

Though obviously disappointed in the results, Harding was quick to give credit where due. "Both defenses came to play today," he said. I think we put a great effort forward defensively."

"As a coach, I'm not in panic mode or anything. What I'm trying to do is find a solution. How do we get out of this situation? What are we doing? Again, I feel the defense played reasonably well. We didn't capitalize on all our offensive opportunities."

"We've now got to take it from here. The effort we expended in the second half is what I need them to do throughout the remaining games," concluded the coach.

"I'm looking forward to the rematch," added Browder. We've got to return the favor in their own building."

"But you can't look past anybody," continued the quarterback. "We've still got games ahead of that. On any given day any team can go out and have a great win, and another one they may not rise to their peak level."

"I'm still going to work on the plays, work on my reads, work on my drops. That's all I can do. That's what they asked me to come here to do, so that's what I'm going to do," Browder said finally.

The Dragons now go back out on the road, as they play a crucial divisional game at Columbus this Friday night.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 11, 2006


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