Dragons' opener a downer
by David Holusha
Published on March 6, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons
Though everybody's schedule had the date of Sunday March 4, 2007 as The New York Dragons home season opener, it's possible that someone forgot to tell the team. How else can you explain a 60-7 drubbing by Dallas Desperados in front of a packed arena?
With the score 33-0 at halftime, no one was sure if the Dragons still knew they should be playing football.
Mercifully the humiliation of a complete shutout was prevented when second string quarterback Rohan Davey (put in after inept starter Leon Murray was pulled in the third quarter) completed a pass to WR Mike Horacek for the teams' only score.
Before that, however, things were downright brutal for the Dragons.
"It seemed like on any given play during those series, something wasn't quite going right," said returning Head Coach Weylan Harding.
That understatement was obvious to even the most uninitiated fan.
"Any loss is frustrating," continued Harding.
However, this wasn't just any loss.
In fact, it was the largest margin of defeat by a home team in AFL history.
Yeah, that bad.
If there was one thing you could always count on with this team in the past, it was the steady hand of All-Arena Quarterback Aaron Garcia at the helm. However, Garcia starts this season on injured reserve after breaking his leg last year.
When might we expect him back?
"I'm not a doctor" snapped Harding. "I don't know. We know he's on IR right now so we have to at least get through these first four games without him. We have to go from there."
"It was a tough way to open up the season," added WR Mike Horacek.
Was it rustiness? A lack of practice? "Practice time was sufficient," continued Horacek.
Was it a timing thing? Passes to receivers?
"I think it was a little bit of everybody to be honest with you. No significant blame goes to any one area. Wide receivers - offensive line - quarterback - defense - special teams - we all played poorly. The positive thing is there's a lot of things to improve and we got 15 more games to go," said Horacek.
"We have the talent to be tops in this league, I have no doubt about it. The thing is to get everybody on the same page. Once we do that, we'll be successful," added Horacek.
As a result of both the injury to Garcia and his adequate backups either leaving for other teams (or simply let go), the once steady position of quarterback has been a revolving door recently.
"It makes no difference who's quarterback," stated Horacek. "I have to do my job. I have to get open and separate, so I'm not bothered by whoever is back there."
One of the few bright spots of the day was newly signed (and second on the depth chart) QB Rohan Davey. We asked him if he felt the additional time off this week (the Dragons have a bye this week before visiting last seasons champions, The Chicago Rush) would help the team work out what's wrong.
"It depends on how we come out and play the next game," said Davey "If the guys take these two weeks to reevaluate themselves - to see what we did good and what we did wrong - and we come out and play a good game, then the time off is worth it. But if we come out and lay an egg again, then it isn't beneficial to anybody."
Davey comes to the team with previous NFL experience, having played for both the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals. We asked about the differences between playing QB in the NFL and Arena:
"The biggest change for me is how much quicker everything happens in the pocket," said Davey. "You've got guys closer to you. You have to get back and let go of the ball quicker. The field is compressed and shorter, so you have to be more precise with your timing. When letting the ball go you have to throw it to a spot as opposed to waiting for a receiver to find an opening. You have to anticipate where his is going to end up."
The Dragons certainly have a lot of work to do, if they're going to make anything out of this season.
But it wasn't all doom and gloom as there is so much more to an Arena Football experience than just the game.
As always, the lovely Dragons FireDancers put on a dazzling display of graceful athleticism and beauty. Altering their uniforms slightly in seasons past, they went all out this year with a more dramatic change. Gone are any long pants (though always form fitting) - and instead are now replaced by "super-hero" shorts and boots. Like you would see on Supergirl or Wonder Woman.
FireDancers Meri & Jenn are back again, and are always a crowd pleaser. There is always high demand for an autographed picture from each of them.
Also returning for another action-packed season is Arena-Hostess Extraordinaire, Dina. The on-camera events come fast and furious for Dina, who will host anything from a field-goal kicking contest, to a chicken wing eating showdown. In fact, this reporter may have spotted Dina running off with the remaining chicken wings once the contest concluded.
There is a lot of fun to be had at arena football games, and the Nassau Coliseum is a great place to attend one. Hopefully the Dragons football team will have their alarms set and be ready the next time they are scheduled to play there.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 6, 2007
- Storm sign Kicker - Tampa Bay Storm
- Utah Blaze game notes - Utah Blaze
- Dragons' opener a downer - OSC Original by David Holusha
- Georgia Force QB Chris Greisen Named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Georgia Force
- Orlando Predators - Orlando Predators
- The Price (Guide) is Right - OSC Original by Randy Snow
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- Kenny McEntyre named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - Kansas City Brigade
- Utah's Dennard earns AFL weekly honor - Utah Blaze
- Gladiators Team Up with Nevada Partners for 2007 Season - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
