Indiana Firebirds Game Notes

Published on March 12, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (3-3) vs. Los Angeles Avengers (4-2)
Date: March 16, 2003
Kickoff: 12:00 pm
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (16,060)
Officials: David Lambros – Referee, Al Granado – Umpire, Mike McCabe – Head Linesman, Craig Worlstad – Line Judge, Dino Paganelli – Back Judge
Television: NA
Radio: Firebirds' Radio Network: ESPN RADIO 950 AM, WPZZ 95.9 FM, ESPN Radio 1130 AM, & ESPN
Radio 1300 AM (Ari Wolfe and Rob Blackman).
Series Record: Indiana leads 1-0
Last Meeting: July 14, 2002: IND 56 – LA 53
Coaches: Mike Dailey (3-3 2003, 60-39 Overall) Ed Hodgkiss (4-2 2003, 12-8 Overall)

THE STAKES: The Firebirds enter this week's meeting with Los Angeles having lost three games in as many weeks after opening up the season 3-0. A win would help the ‘Birds keep pace in the Central Division as they are only one game out of first place with over half a season of football yet to be played. The Firebirds are hoping to pull out a victory and avoid losing four games in a row for the first time since the 1992 season. Los Angeles has tied their best start in franchise history, bringing a 4-2 record into week seven of the regular season.

THE SERIES: The Indiana/Los Angeles series only dates back to last season, when the two franchises met for the first time on July 14th of last year. In week-13 of last season the ‘Birds slid passed the Avengers in a sea-saw battle, 56-53. Then Firebirds' kicker Nelson Garner connected on a 50-yard field goal as time expired lifting the ‘Birds past the Avengers in front of a season-high 12,286 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse. WR/LB Brett Bech led the Firebirds in receiving with six catches for 132 yards and a touchdown on his way to Game MVP honors in only his second game in a Firebirds uniform. The game-winner was Garner's only field goal from 50-plus yards on the season.

THE IFS...

If INDIANA Defeats LOS ANGELES, it would...
· Give Indiana a 4-3 overall record.
· End Indiana's three-game losing streak.
· Give Indiana its second home win of the season.
· Give Indiana its second consecutive win over Los Angeles

Mike Dailey (60-39, 7th year): Mike Dailey is in his seventh season as head coach of the Indiana Firebirds. Last season Dailey led the Firebirds to a 7-7 record and a berth in the post-season for the fifth time in six seasons. Dailey is the Firebirds' all-time winningest coach posting a 60-39 record (including playoffs) in six-plus season as head coach of the Firebirds. Dailey led the Firebirds to a franchise-best 14 wins and first-ever ArenaBowl championship during the 1999 season. He joined the Firebirds prior to the 1992 season, spending five seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1997. Dailey began his Arena Football coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive and defensive line coach. Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an Assistant Coach at Towson State University and was the Offensive Coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (MD).

Ed Hodgkiss (12-8, 2nd year): Hodgkiss is in his second year as head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers after spending five seasons as an assistant coach with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds. He led the Avengers to a franchise-best 8-6 record last year and berth in the 2002 AFL playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Hodgkiss was the Firebirds' Offensive Coordinator from 1999-2001. He helped the ‘Birds win their first ArenaBowl title in 1999, leading a Firebird offense to a League-high 58.7 points per game and finished the season second in total offense averaging 326.5 yards per game. Prior to serving as the team's Offensive Coordinator, Hodgkiss spent two seasons as Albany's wide receiver and special teams coach ('97-'98). Hodgkiss has spent previous off seasons coaching in the college ranks. He served as the Offensive Coordinator at Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, VA) from 1997-2000. He also spent two seasons as a wide receivers coach at Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) in 1995-1996 and one season as the Offensive Coordinator at Montgomery-Rockville Junior College (Rockville, MD) in 1994.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Dailey on last week's game and facing LA: "I am disappointed with the loss, but I feel that we have done our best to overcome injuries and I am happy with our effort. However, the name of the game is to win. The Avengers have a high-powered offense and a very sound core of receivers. Overall they are an extremely sound football team, but we will be ready to play."

INDIANA FIREBIRDS LAST WEEK

The Firebirds dropped their third consecutive game at the hands of the Orlando Predators Monday night at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Florida, 38-46. The Firebirds committed four turnovers, including two in the final four minutes of the game as the Predators were able to keep the ‘Birds at bay and capture their sixth consecutive win of the season. The Predators remain as the only undefeated team in the League heading into this week's action. Orlando's offensive specialist Travis McGriff led the Predators' offensive attack with six catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns before being named MVP of the contest. Firebirds' backup quarterback Jose Davis completed 16-of-21 pass attempts for 166 yards and two touchdowns in only one half of action. Davis also rushed for 17 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK

The ‘Birds welcome the Tampa Bay Storm to Conseco Fieldhouse for the second game of a two-game home stand. The Storm holds a 9-6 all-time series advantage over the Firebirds in 15 series meetings. The two teams last met on May 31st of last year when Tampa Bay squeaked by the Firebirds, 53-32 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Tampa Bay kicker Mike Black connected on a 21-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Storm over the Firebirds.

2002 REVIEW

The Firebirds entered the 2002 season hoping to build on an impressive 2001 season where the team advanced to the Arena Football League's semi-finals. The Firebirds ended the season with a 7-7 record and made it to the post season for the eleventh time in thirteen seasons despite early season injuries to key players such as Eddie Brown, Evan Hlavacek, and Cornelius Coe. The ‘Birds won three out of their last four games to fight their way into the playoffs, but fell short during the first round in a fiercely contested battle with the expansion Dallas Desperados, falling 47-46. With FB/LB Leroy Thompson earning Built Ford Tough Man of the Year and the emergence of First-Team All-Arena selection, OL/DL Chris Snyder, the Firebirds have their eyes set on returning to ArenaBowl Champion form.

FAMILIAR FACES: Current Avenger Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Firebirds. He was the team's Offensive Coordinator from 1999-2001 and was the wide receiver and special teams coach in 1997-1998. In addition to Hodgkiss, Avenger Assistant Head Coach/Player Personnel Director Brent Winter and Defensive Coordinator Doug Kay are both former Firebird coaches. Winter began his professional coaching career as an offensive coach in Albany during the 1997-98 seasons. Kay spent one season as the Firebirds' Defensive Coordinator ('94). Los Angeles' WR/LB Greg Hopkins was a member of the Firebirds from 1996-2001 and WR/DB Kevin Ingram was with the ‘Birds as a rookie during the 2001 season. Indiana's Rich Young and Hugh Hunter were teammates with LA's Remy Hamilton and Tony Plantin in Milwaukee in 2001. Firebirds kicker Clay Rush and Avenger OL/DL Mathias Vavao were teammates in Iowa during the 1999 season. Indiana's OL/DL Ricky Hall and Los Angeles' FB/LB Ron Puggi were teammates at Marshall University.

GROUND ATTACK

Entering week seven of the regular season the Firebirds have the number one ranked rushing offense in the Arena Football League, currently first in rushing yards with 202 yards gained and second in rushing touchdowns with 14 on the season. The ‘Birds are averaging 33.7 rushing yards per game. In a pass-oriented League, the ‘Birds have found success on the ground led by veteran FB/LB Leroy Thompson, who currently leads the League in rushing with 94 yards gained and is tied for second with five rushing touchdowns on the season. Despite missing two games with an injury, quarterback Raymond Philyaw is still fourth in the Arena Football League with 58 yards rushing on only twelve attempts and is tied for third with four rushing touchdowns.

OLD FRIENDS BECOME NEW FOES

A couple of familiar faces will return on Sunday to face their former team when the Avengers make their way to Conseco Fieldhouse this weekend. Current Avenger Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Firebirds. He spent two seasons as the team's wide receiver and special teams coach ('97-'98) and three as the team's Offensive Coordinator ('99-'01). He helped lead the ‘Birds to an ArenaBowl Championship in 1999, leading the Firebirds' offense to a League-high 58.7 points per game and finished the season second in total offense with 326.5 yards per game. Hodgkiss is in his second season as head coach of the Avengers after leading Los Angeles to a franchise-best 8-6 record last season and first ever berth in AFL postseason play. Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins spent six seasons as a member of the Firebirds before joining Los Angeles prior to the 2002 season. Hopkins is still second in Firebirds history in receptions (424), receiving yards (5,353), and receiving touchdowns (100). Hopkins had a career year last season with the Avengers where he caught 102 balls for 1,285 yards and 29 touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded five interceptions, three which were returned for a touchdown before being named the League's Ironman of the Year. In last year's meeting with his former team, Hopkins had seven catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns.

QUARTERBACK CHANGE

After losing his second consecutive game as a starter, the Firebirds waived quarterback Craig Whelihan in favor of Jose Davis, who inherits the starting role. In three games of action, Whelihan struggled completing 42-of-73 passes for 461 yards and six touchdowns, also throwing three interceptions and had two fumbles lost. On Monday during the loss in Orlando, Whelihan completed seven passes for 69 yards before being benched midway through the second quarter. Davis is the only active quarterback currently on the Firebirds' roster as Raymond Philyaw's return from a dislocated right index finger is still uncertain.

A TOUGH ROAD AHEAD

The Firebirds have picked the wrong time to fall into a slump. After three consecutive loses, two at home, the ‘Birds are in the middle of their toughest stretch of the 2003 schedule. After meeting with the Avengers on Sunday, the Firebirds will face Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Grand Rapids who all have a combined record of 16-8 heading into this week's action.

GOING TO THE ‘WELL

Second year WR/DB Donnie Caldwell and Rookie WR/DB Terrance Blackwell have given the ‘Birds a lift on the offensive as well as defensive side of the ball respectively. Caldwell missed the majority of last season with a broken foot, but has made up for lost time so far this season. In six games, Caldwell has recorded 24 tackles, two pass deflections and has intercepted two passes both which have been returned for a touchdown totaling 53 yards. Blackwell has begun his AFL career with a bang, catching nineteen balls for 219 yards and three touchdowns, despite missing one game to injury. He has added speed not only to the Firebirds' passing game, but their return game as well. In five games Blackwell has returned five kickoffs for 120 yards (24 ypr). He has also rushed for two touchdowns, giving him five touchdowns in five games and responsible for 346 total offensive yards. With continued productivity, the ‘Birds should be going to the "well" more often. REVOLVING DOOR

Entering this year's training camp one question mark the Firebirds had was at the quarterback position. After bringing in a handful of quarterbacks to push last year's starter Raymond Philyaw, at the end of camp Philyaw was once again named the starter. However, after Philyaw went down with an injury in week three, backup Craig Whelihan came on to take over the starting role. After making his second start for the ‘Birds last week in Orlando, Whelihan was benched and replaced by rookie Jose Davis who displayed some talent in one half of action, however threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to the Predators. Whelihan was waived by the Firebirds on Tuesday, leaving Davis as the projected starter with Philyaw still recovering from a dislocated right index finger. In all the Firebirds have taken a look at nine different quarterbacks and will most likely rely on a rookie quarterback to lead the team, at least until the return of the original starting quarterback, Raymond Philyaw. After all this, Jose Davis is the only active quarterback on the Firebirds' roster.

BROWN SURPASSES 12,000, WAGNER

Firebirds' offensive specialist Eddie Brown has set numerous team and League-wide records in his illustrious career. Brown reached yet another milestone two weeks ago at home versus the Colorado Crush. Brown made a sliding catch against the wall for a ten-yard gain in the beginning of the second quarter. With the catch Brown eclipsed 12,000 receiving yards for his career, becoming only the second player to do so (Barry Wagner). In the process, Brown passed San Jose's Barry Wagner for the all-time lead in receiving yards and currently has 12,125 for his career. Wagner, who is still active, has accumulated 12,030 yards receiving during his eleven-year career.

AFL CAREER RECEIVING YARDS
Name Career Rec Yards Rank
Eddie Brown 12,125 (+95) 1st
Barry Wagner 12,030 2nd

STILL GOING...

Firebirds' OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown has played in a record 129 consecutive games entering this week's meeting with Los Angeles, all which have been in a Firebirds' uniform. Moore-Brown has not missed a game in his eight-year career.

‘BIRDS BLITZ

Join Firebirds' General Manager Joe Hennessy and play-by-play man Ari Wolfe every Wednesday night from 6-7 pm for ‘Birds Blitz, a weekly variety show broadcast on ESPN Radio 950 AM, covering the Firebirds, the Arena Football League, and recent happenings around the world. The show is on location at Moon Dog Tavern located between Allisonville Road and Keystone.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

INDIANA FIREBIRDS

OS "Touchdown" Eddie Brown: Eddie has had one of the most successful careers in AFL history. A five-time scoring champion, Brown is the AFL's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (292), receptions (897), and receiving yards (12,125). Brown eclipsed 2,000 points for his career three weeks ago versus Arizona and passed Barry Wagner two weeks ago versus Colorado to become the League's all-time leader in receiving yards.

FB/LB Leroy Thompson: Leroy is coming off his best season as a pro. In 2002, Thompson rushed the ball 37 times for 118 yards and ten touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 21 tackles and six sacks on his way to being named the Arena Football League's Built Ford Tough Man of the Year.

DS Evan Hlavacek: A three-year veteran who has come into his own early in 2003. He currently is one of the top return men in the Arena Football League. In six games this season, Hlavacek has returned 26 kickoffs for 566 yards, taking three of them to the house for a touchdown. He also leads the Firebirds' defense in total tackles with 31.5 and pass deflections with seven.

OL/DL Hugh Hunter: Had best season as a pro in 2002 in his first season as a Firebird, recording personal bests in tackles with 19 and a finishing the year tied for a team-high 6.5 sacks with fellow lineman Chris Snyder. He has continued his success on the defensive line this year leading the team with 2.5 sacks (T-3rd in AFL).

WR/DB Terrance Blackwell: Rookie WR/DB who wasted no time in making his presence felt. In his first game in the AFL, Blackwell had three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He also showcased his speed on special teams with an impressive 53-yard kickoff return in his only chance of the contest. In five games, Blackwell has caught nineteen balls for 219 yards and three touchdowns. He has also returned five kickoffs for 120 yards and rushed for two touchdowns, giving him five touchdowns on the season.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS

QB Tony Graziani: Third-year quarterback who set or tied eleven Avenger passing records in 2002. Last season he completed 282-of-467 passes for 3,568 yards and 67 touchdowns, all which are Avenger single-season records. Through six games this season, Graziani has completed 128 passes (4th in AFL) for 1,722 yards (3rd in AFL) and 35 touchdowns (3rd in AFL).

OS Chris Jackson: Offensive specialist who has been an integral part of the Avenger's offense since their inception in 2000. He is the team's all-time leading receiver and scorer, having caught 289 balls 4,016 yards and 86 touchdowns. Currently leads the AFL in receptions (51), receiving yards (761), and is second in receiving touchdowns (19).

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 12, 2003


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