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Dragons Game Notes

March 5, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts
Los Angeles (3-2) at New York Dragons (0-5)
Date: Sunday, March 9, 2003
Kickoff: 12:00 PM
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,216)
Officials: Referee: Perry Havener Umpire: Roy Ellison Head Linesman: Derrick Bowers Line Judge: David Meslow Back Judge: Greg Steed Supervisor: Bob Mantooth
Radio: WLIE 540AM: Sid Rosenberg and Peter Schwartz
TV: NBC4 Tom Hammond and Pat Haden with Lewis Johnson on sideline.
Series Record: The Avengers won the only meeting between the teams 43-25 on April 19, 2002.
Last Meeting: Los Angeles 43 - New York 25
Staples Center, April 19, 2002
Coaches: Orlando – Ed Hodgkiss (11-8, 2nd year) Dragons - Todd Shell (29-26, 5th Year - 0-1, 1st year as Dragons coach)

2002 Meeting vs. Los Angeles:
April 19: Dragons 25, Los Angeles 43

The Dragons opened the 2002 season in Los Angeles falling to the Avengers 43-25. Minus All-Arena QB Aaron Garcia, first-year starter Danny Ragsdale (13-24-1, 1 touchdown) struggled before being replaced by backup QB Matt Nagy (3-8-0, 1 touchdown). OS Steve Papin (5-58-2) scored both Dragons touchdowns in the loss.

The Dragons trailed 14-6 after the first quarter and 28-15 at halftime. The first New York touchdown was set up by a Carl Sacco fumble recovery inside the Avenger 10-yard line and came on a Steve Papin one-yard TD reception. The Dragons' offense from that point on came on the right foot of kicker Clay Rush as he tied a franchise record with four field goals made coming from 22,24,38 and 40 yards respectively.

With the team trailing 28-18 after three and with possession of the ball, Ragsdale threw an untimely interception to Derek Grier setting up a QB Tony Graziani three-yard touchdown run and a 34-18 lead. Graziani finished the game 26 of 39 for 273 yards and four touchdowns, all to game MVP Chris Jackson (12-145, four touchdowns). Game Preview:

In search of their first win of the season the 0-5 New York Dragons face the 3-2 Los Angeles Avengers at the Nassau Coliseum with the game being televised nationally on NBC. The Dragons started the week by releasing OS Steve Papin and have brought in WR/DB Carlos James, an eight-year veteran of the AFL. The IFS:...

If the DRAGONS defeat the Avengers, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 1-5 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a 1-1 record all-time vs. LA.
*Give the Dragons their first win of the season.
*Give Todd Shell his first win as Dragons Head Coach.

Last Week:

Turnovers did in the Dragons in Todd Shell's debut as head coach. The Orlando Predators defeated the Dragons, 72-56, before another sold-out crowd at Nassau Coliseum.

The Predators opened up a 21-7 led in the first quarter off of a fumble by Dragons' quarterback Aaron Garcia recovered by Duke Pettijohn. Orlando's defensive line pressured Garcia, and then EJ Burt stripped him of the ball. On the Predators' next possession, QB Connell Maynor found WR Thabtiti Davis in the end zone for a quick score.

Late in the second quarter with Orlando up by 13 points, the Dragons offense was victimized by another fumble, this time by OS Steve Papin on a pitch. Orlando added a field goal and the Dragons trailed by 37-21 at the half.  

Orlando opened the second half with a successful onsides kick, which caught the Dragons off guard. However, Shell's defense produced their first defensive stop of the game when Kerry Brown intercepted a Connell Maynor pass attempt, which led to Mike Furrey's third touchdown of the game.

Unfortunately New York could not keep the pressure on. Travis McGriff returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and then the Dragons failed to convert on downs. Orlando went on to increase their lead to 24 points and held on from there.Once again Mike Furrey starred for the Dragons with five TD receptions. Upcoming Schedule:

The Dragons head back to the road when they play new divisional rival Detroit Fury. The game will mark the head-to-head matchup of AFL great QB's Aaron Garcia and Andy Kelly.

Dragon Tales:

Dragons Replace Entire Coaching Staff:

The New York Dragons announced on Feb. 24 that they relieved Head Coach John Gregory and his assistants, Ted Heath, Scot Maynard and Dick Adams of their duties. Gregory was in his ninth year with the Iowa/New York franchise, earning a record of 66-48.  In three years in New York with the Dragons, Gregory was 11-21. The Dragons are currently 0-4 after finishing the 2002 season 3-11. The New York Dragons named former San Jose Sabercats Head Coach Todd Shell as the second head coach in franchise history. He will be assisted by Lary Kuharich and Derrick Chachere.

Serving as the first head coach in Sabercats history, Shell led his 1995 squad to a record of 8-4 and a Western Division Championship.  His team became the first expansion franchise in AFL history to win a division title.  After four seasons at the helm in San Jose, Shell compiled a record of 29-25 earning a playoff berth in three of four seasons.   

Shell was the San Francisco 49ers' 1984 first-round draft pick out of BYU where he proceeded to win two Super Bowl rings (1984 and 1988). Shell played five seasons in San Francisco before retiring due to injuries.  He most recently worked as the color commentator for the Arizona Rattlers, where he served as defensive coordinator from 1992-1994. 

Dragons Sign Former Iowa Barnstormer WR/DB Carlos James and release OS Steve Papin:

The New York Dragons have signed former Iowa Barnstormer and eight-year Arena Football League veteran WR/DB Carlos James, the team announced on March 5. The Dragons also announced that they have released Offensive Specialist/Kick Returner Steve Papin.

In eight AFL seasons, the 6-0, 180-pound defensive minded James has intercepted 34 passes and broken-up 85. On offense, James has caught 277 passes for 3,466 yards and 74 touchdowns. The former six-year Iowa Barnstormer is also the Dragons' franchise leader in interceptions with 26 and third in tackles with 247.

"I'm very excited about playing in New York with the Dragons," said James. "I loved being a Barnstormer in Iowa and hope I can have that same success here. I'm also looking forward to proving to the other 15 teams that passed up on me this off-season that I can still play this game. I really think my experience of playing defense in this League will be a big help to Kory Blackwell and Donvetis Franklin."

In releasing Papin, the Dragons look to give Mike Furrey more opportunities on offense. "Steve Papin is a very good player and someone we would like to have around," said Dragons head coach Todd Shell. "But with Mike Furrey's productivity on offense he needs to be on the field on offense as much as possible. Playing the OS will allow that to happen."

Carlos James will wear the number 5 for the remainder of the season with K Kenny Stucker moving to number 1.

Garcia Looks to Top All-Time League Rankings: Dragons QB Aaron Garcia, who was named the Dragons' offensive coordinator prior to the 2003 season, continues to chase Detroit Fury QB Andy Kelly for the all-time lead in the three key quarterback rankings.

Furrey Earns Ironman of the Game Honors Twice:

Twice in the first five weeks, despite a losing effort by the Dragons, 2002 All-Ironman Team member WR/DB Mike Furrey picked up Ironman of the Game honors after recording seven-catches for 97-yards and two touchdowns vs. the Las Vegas Gladiators. Furrey had previously earned the honor in Week 1 at Dallas following a seven-catch, 125 receiving yards, two touchdown and one interception performance vs. the Desperados.

Garcia Named Game MVP at Grand Rapids

Recording 380 passing yards and seven touchdowns, Dragons QB Aaron Garcia was named the Game MVP in a Week 3 loss in Grand Rapids.

From the Neighborhood:

This year's Dragons squad has a distinct New York accent. Local players include DS Kory Blackwell, born in Queens and now a Baldwin resident. Blackwell played at Stevenson High School in Queens and is a former New York Daily News All-City team member. Former New Orleans Saint OL/DL Jermaine Miles played high-school football at Canarsie in Brooklyn. WR/LB Carl Sacco played at CW Post. Former Cleveland Brown lineman Elliot Fortune was a two-year captain at Long Island's Roosevelt High School. Jason Maxwell, who played college football at Hofstra University, is a former recipient of Mayor's Trophy for sportsmanship from the Village of Hempstead in 2000.

Upcoming Milestones in the 2003 Season

Player Milestone Upcoming
Kerry Brown 2 Receptions to reach 300
82 Receiving Yards to reach 4,000
Todd Doxzon 3 receptions from 100
96 receiving yards from 1,000
Mike Furrey 283 receiving yards from 2,000
Aaron Garcia 817 passing yards from 25,000
20 touchdown passes from 500 MILESTONES REACHED IN 2003

Donvetis Franklin – Recorded his 100th career tackle (February 9th vs. Indiana)

Recorded his 100th career solo tackle (March 2nd vs. Orlando)

Mike Furrey – Recorded his 100th career receptions (February 22nd vs. Las Vegas)

Aaron Garcia – Recorded his 3,000th career pass attempt (March 2nd vs. Orlando)

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