Sports stats



Indiana Firebirds Game Notes

March 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (3-4) vs. Tampa Bay Storm (5-2)
Date: March 23, 2003
Kickoff: 12:00 pm
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (16,060)
Officials: Riley Johnson – Referee, Rick DiBernado – Umpire, Neil Brunner – Head Linesman, – Line Judge, Paul Engelberts, Bud McCleskey – 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: Tampa Bay leads 9-6
Last Meeting: May 31, 2002: IND 52 – TB 53
Coaches: Mike Dailey (3-4 2003, 60-40 Overall) Tim Marcum (5-2 2003, 148-53 Overall)

THE STAKES: The Firebirds enter this week's play in the midst of a four-game losing streak after opening the season 3-0. For the Firebirds, the stakes are fairly simple – win and get back on track in 2003, lose and fall further away from their 12th postseason berth in fourteen seasons. The ‘Birds meet a hot Tampa squad that has won four in a row, including last Sunday's victory as they handed Orlando its first loss of the season. With the victory the Storm pulled to within one game of the Southern Division leading Orlando Predators midway through the regular season and with the loss, the ‘Birds dropped to third in the Central Division.

THE SERIES: The Firebirds and Storm series dates back to the 1991 season with Tampa Bay holding a 9-6 all-time series advantage in 15 series meetings. The last meeting between the two franchises came on May 31st of last year when the Storm defeated the Firebirds 53-52 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Storm kicker Mike Black connected on a 21-yard field goal as time expired, giving Tampa Bay the victory. Prior to the loss, the ‘Birds had won three consecutive games against the Storm, including a 68-31 thrashing of Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2001 postseason.

THE IFS...

If INDIANA Defeats TAMPA BAY, it would...

· Give Indiana a 4-4 overall record.
· End Indiana's four-game losing streak.
· Give Indiana its fourth win in the last five meetings with Tampa Bay.

Mike Dailey (60-40, 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 60-40 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).

Tim Marcum (148-53, 15th year, 9th with Storm): Marcum, now in his ninth year with the storm is the winningest coach in AFL history. He is the owner of six ArenaBowl championships and has coached in nine of the sixteen ArenaBowls. Marcum is the only coach in the history of the AFL to lead three different teams to an ArenaBowl. He holds the top AFL career coaching records in victories (148), winning percentage (.736), games coached (201), and postseason victories (22). A two-time recipient of the AFL Coach of the Year award, has lead his team to the postseason every year and has only missed playing in the championship game five times in his career. Marcum started his coaching career in the West Texas high schools. His first collegiate job was at Ranger College, who he led to the Junior College National Championship with an 11-0 record. In 1980, he joined the staff at Rice University and from there made his entrance into the professional ranks. He coached in the USFL, the World League of American Football, and the NFL before coming to the AFL.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Dailey on last week's game: "We are struggling to say the least. This is a quarterback League and the personnel decisions rest on my shoulders. Jose (Davis) had a good week of practice and (Jim) Ballard only had a couple of days, but I thought he came in and did a great job. I am going to search for answers, but it seems like one thing leads to another with injuries, to new faces, to players getting ejected. We are experimenting now and it is tough to have to do during the season, but we have to make some adjustments."

INDIANA FIREBIRDS LAST WEEK

Quarterback Tony Graziani completed 14-0f-29 pass attempts for 181 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Los Angeles Avengers to their fifth win of the season over the Firebirds, 42-20 last Sunday at Conseco Fieldhouse. Third-year OS Chris Jackson led the Avengers in receiving with six catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns on his way to Game MVP honors. Former Firebird Greg Hopkins caught five balls for 51 yards and two scores before being named Ironman of the Game. Quarterback Jose Davis made his first start in a Firebirds' uniform completing 9-of-23 passes for 76 yards before being replaced by backup Jim Ballard at the end of the third quarter as the ‘Birds dropped their fourth consecutive game for the first time since the 1992 season. In one quarter of action, Ballard completed 8-of-11 passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK

The Firebirds hit the road after two home games versus Los Angeles and Tampa Bay. The ‘Birds visit the Dallas Desperados at American Airlines Arena next Saturday night with kickoff slated for 8:30 pm. Dallas has a 2-0 all-time series advantage over the Firebirds as Indiana lost both games to the expansion Desperados last year.

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 ‘Birds 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 Firebirds 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 ‘Birds have their eyes set on returning to Championship form.

FAMILIAR FACES

Storm quarterback John Kaleo began his Arena Football career with the Firebirds during the 1993-94 seasons. WR/DB Alvin Ashley appeared in one game with the ‘Birds during the 1995 season. Ashley was a teammate of Indiana's FB/LB Rich Young and OL/DL Hugh Hunter in Milwaukee during the 2001 season. Firebirds' kicker Clay Rush and Storm FB/LB Basil Proctor were teammates in New York during the 2001 season. Firebirds' WR/LB Shawn Foreman and Storm WR/LB David Saunders were teammates at West Virginia University.

OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES

The Firebirds offense has struggled in recent weeks after being one of the top scoring offenses in the League for the first three weeks of the season. During those weeks, the ‘Birds were a perfect 3-0 and averaging 53 points scored per game. The offensive output has diminished recently as Indiana has averaged 37 points scored per game during the team's four game losing streak. Despite injuries to key players such as WR/LB Brett Bech and WR/DB Terrance Blackwell, the focus of the problem has been at the quarterback position. The ‘Birds have used four different quarterbacks and three different starters over the course of the last four weeks. After starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw suffered a dislocated right index finger three weeks ago, backups Craig Whelihan, Jose Davis, and Jim Ballard have all had their chance under center for the ‘Birds, however the offense has yet to find a rhythm.

BALLARD IN RELIEF

Quarterback Jim Ballard re-signed with the Firebirds last week prior to Indiana's meeting with the Avengers after being waived during this year's training camp. Last week versus the Avengers after starting quarterback Jose Davis was benched, Ballard was called on late in the game in hopes of a fourth quarter comeback. Though the effort fell short, Ballard was efficient completing eight of his eleven passes for 69 yards and two scores in one quarter of action. The relief effort mirrored Ballard's last relief effort that came last year against, ironically, the Avengers. In week-13 of last year, Ballard came on to take over for starter Dameyune Craig and completed 6-of-8 passes for 97 yards erasing an 11-point fourth quarter deficit, leading the ‘Birds to victory.

NEVER A SECOND CHANCE FOR A FIRST IMPRESSION

Firebirds' WR/DB Jeremy McDaniel made his first start in his first game as a member of the Firebirds. Filling in for the injured Terrance Blackwell and Brett Bech, McDaniel led the team in receiving with five catches for 50 yards, making the most of his time on the field.

DEFENSIVELY CHARGED

Though the Firebirds' offense has struggled, the team's defense has stepped up their game in an effort to pick up the slack. Of the seven games played to this point, the Firebirds' defense has held its opponent under their season scoring average five times and currently has the seventh-best scoring defense in the League, giving up 46 points per game. In addition, the Firebirds' defense is currently the number one ranked rushing defense in the League, having given up only 32 yards on the season (4.6 ypg), is third in total defense (250.9 ypg), and tied for third in the League in sacks with ten on the season.

COMING UP HUGH FOR THE ‘BIRDS

The Indiana defense is led by five-year veteran OL/DL Hugh Hunter who is second in the League with 4.5 sacks on the season entering week-eight of the regular season. Last week versus the Avengers, Hunter recorded 2.0 sacks, setting a pace to approach his career-high in that category. Hunter had a career-best nine sacks as a member of the Milwaukee Mustangs during the 2000 season.

CALMING THE STORM

As two of the oldest teams in the Arena Football League, the Firebirds and Storm series dates back to the 1991 season with the Storm holding a 9-6 all-time advantage in 15 series meetings. Despite a one-point loss to the Storm last season, the ‘Birds have had Tampa Bay's number in recent years. The Firebirds have won three out of the last four meetings, including a 37-point thumping of the Storm in the first round of the 2001 playoffs at the Ice Palace in Tampa.

BACK IN THE ‘ZONE

Last week in the loss to the Avengers, Firebirds OS Eddie Brown had five catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Brown's two touchdowns ended a two- game hiatus from the endzone. Brown had not scored a touchdown since the Arizona game three weeks ago on February 23rd. The drought was the longest of Brown's eight-year career.

BROWN OFF THE BENCH?

"Touchdown" Eddie Brown has had many firsts in his illustrious career. He had yet another first last week versus the Avengers, however this first was one which Brown would like to forget. For the first time in his career, Brown did not start the game on the offensive side of the ball due to coach's decision. Though he did enter the game in the first quarter, Evan Hlavacek started in his place.

EARLY LEADS=VICTORY FOR ‘BIRDS

Through seven weeks of the regular season the Firebirds have proven that when they take a lead into halftime, chances are that they will pull out a victory. Unfortunately for the ‘Birds, they have yet to record a come-from-behind win. When the Firebirds are leading at halftime, they are a perfect 3-0. However, when the team is behind at halftime they are winless at 0-4. When taking a lead into the fourth quarter, the ‘Birds are 3-1, whereas when the team has a 0-3 when behind after three quarters. 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 four, backup Craig Whelihan came on to take over the starting role. After making his second start for the ‘Birds two weeks ago in Orlando, Whelihan was benched and replaced by rookie Jose Davis. Davis displayed some talent in one half of action but threw a costly interception late in the fourth quarter during the loss to the Predators. Whelihan was waived by the Firebirds last week, leaving the starting role to Davis. However, Davis was benched after a lackluster performance last week during the loss to the Avnegers. Backup Jim Ballard came on in relief, throwing for 69 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort. In all the Firebirds have taken a look at nine different quarterbacks since the onset of training camp.

SCORING A HABIT FOR BROWN

If anyone in the history of professional sports lives up to their nickname, it is without question "Touchdown" Eddie Brown. Brown is currently the Arena Football Leagues all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (294) and is second in total touchdowns with 335 during his eight-year career. Brown currently holds the record for touchdowns scored in a season (51), touchdowns by a rookie (48 in 1994), and touchdowns in a game (9). He has put together scoring streaks that rival some of the most impressive streaks in all professional athletics. Brown had a streak of 33 consecutive games with a touchdown to start his career beginning on May 20, 1994 and ending on August 2, 1996. In his first four games as a rookie in 1994, Brown had five scores through the air to begin his record-setting year. The longest scoring streak of his career was 41 consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. The streak began on May 17, 1997 and ended on April 13, 2000. In 108 career games, Brown has scored 103 touchdowns. During his illustrious career, he has recorded 58 100-yard games and has had ten or more receptions 36 times.

STILL GOING...

Firebirds' OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown has played in a record 130 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 (294), receptions (902), and receiving yards (12,168). Brown eclipsed 2,000 points for his career in week-four versus Arizona and passed Barry Wagner three 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 27 kickoffs for 591 yards, taking three of them to the house for a touchdown. He also leads the Firebirds' defense in total tackles with 33.0 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 4.5 sacks (2nd in AFL).

TAMPA BAY STORM

QB John Kaleo: Nine-year veteran of the Arena Football League. Entering this season, he ranked fifth in AFL history in attempts (2,520) and completions (1,472), sixth in passing yards(17,550), and eleventh in passing touchdowns (267). Kaleo has made a solid comeback after suffering a torn ACL last year and is currently the six-highest rated quarterback in the League having completed 140-of-219 passes for 1,786 yards and 33 touchdowns while throwing only four interceptions on the season

OS Freddie Solomon: First-year offensive specialist who has excelled this season after sustaining a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon during training camp last year. He leads the Storm offense with 48 catches (T-6th in the League) for 716 yards (T-3rd in the League) and 12 touchdowns (T-8th in the League). Solomon has also sparked the Storm return game as he is currently 10th in the League in return yards with 511 on 27 returns and overall is third in the League in all-purpose yards with 1,314 on the season (187.7 ypg).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 18, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Albany/Indiana Firebirds Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central