Firebirds look to rebound on NBC this Saturday
February 12, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS â The Firebirds (0-1) travel to New Orleans, LA on Saturday for their first ever meeting with the expansion New Orleans VooDoo (1-0) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 14. Indiana is looking to bounce back after a tough 54-48 loss at home to the Columbus Destroyers, while New Orleans is looking to build on the momentum created by a 42-34 triumph in their inaugural game over the Philadelphia Soul.
The VooDoo will have to do their best to stop the Firebirds' ground game, which racked up 66 yards against Columbus including two touchdown runs of 10+ yards. The Firebirds will have to find a way to bottle up former Indianapolis Colts receiver and current VooDoo OS Aaron Bailey, who caught nine passes for 140 yards in the win over the Soul. The game will be the first AFL game played in New Orleans since the New Orleans Night played in the Louisiana Superdome from 1991-92.
This weekend's match-up will be the first game for the Firebirds this season that will be shown on NBC. Fans in Indianapolis, and select surrounding areas, will be able to catch the game in its entirety beginning with kickoff at 3:00 pm (EST) on WTHR-13. Last week, the AFL on NBC set new records. The season two kick-off of the AFL on NBC on Sunday, Feb. 8 (3-6 p.m. ET) posted a 2.1 rating/5 share for regionalized coverage of five games, according to national numbers released yesterday by Nielsen Media Research. The 2.1 rating represents a 31 percent increase from the 1.6/4 earned for the inaugural broadcast in 2003 and sets a record AFL rating, eclipsing the previous high of a 1.7/3 on Feb. 16, 2003.
"It's an encouraging start to our second year," said Ken Schanzer, President, NBC Sports. "We hope we can sustain it in the weeks and months ahead."
The talent working the game in New Orleans is as follows: Eli Gold (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), and Rich Lenz from WDSU-TV in New Orleans (sideline reporter).
QUICK NOTES
Atta boy, Leroy...FB/LB Leroy Thompson broke the Firebirds' all-time career rushing record of 802 yards, which was originally held by Chad Dukes. Thompson carried the ball seven times for 29 yards and two touchdowns to give him 803 yards for his career. His outstanding performance included an explosive 13-yard touchdown romp in the third quarter to give the Birds a 41-28 lead.
Homecoming...Firebirds third-year WR/LB Brett Bech will be enjoying a homecoming this weekend in New Orleans. Bech, a New Orleans native, was the 1999 Special Teams Player of the Year for the New Orleans Saints following a standout career at LSU. Rookie OL/DL Mike Sutton, who was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive end at LSU, makes his home in Fliell, LA and attended Salmen High School in New Orleans.
Welcome to the team...The Firebirds signed QB Johnny Turman on Thursday after learning that Kevin Daft's injury would sideline him indefinitely. Turman was the 2003 af2 Rookie of the Year, throwing for 3,183 yards and 63 touchdowns in 13 games. Turman will back-up Tony Zimmerman, who gets his first career AFL start against the VooDoo.
A game of firsts...Saturday's game marks the first time that Arena Football has been played in New Orleans since the New Orleans Night occupied the Superdome from 1991-1992. Coincidentally, the Night's last win came on July 27, 1991 when they defeated the Albany Firebirds, 50-49, in front of 9,502 fans at the Superdome. The team proceeded to go 0-10 in 1992, their final season.
The Firebirds return home on Sunday, February 29th to take on the Chicago Rush in another feature AFL on NBC game. Kickoff is set for 3:00pm (EST) and the first 4,000 fans through the gates will receive a FREE 2004 Team Autograph Book, courtesy of local TRANE dealers. Firebirds' season tickets and mini-plans for the 2004 season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling a team ticket representative at 317.472.8080. Firebirds merchandise is also available at Home Court Gift Shop, located inside Conseco Fieldhouse. For merchandise information, please call 317.917.2755.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 12, 2004
- AFL quick hitters - week two - AFL I
- Rush news - Chicago Rush
- Firebirds look to rebound on NBC this Saturday - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Turning the tide - Georgia Force
- New Orleans VooDoo plans fun-filled experience for Saturday's home opener - New Orleans VooDoo
- Must-see matchups: week two - AFL I
- Former Storm members to face off Saturday on NBC - Tampa Bay Storm
- AFL on NBC sets league record rating, up 31 percent from 2003 - AFL I
- Firebirds sign QB Turman - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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