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Indiana Firebirds Game Notes

March 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (3-5) vs. Dallas Desperados (5-3)
Date: March 29, 2003
Kickoff: 8:30 pm EST
Site: Reunion Arena (16,441)
Officials: Perry Havener – Referee, Roy Ellison – Umpire, Derrick Bowers – Head Linesman, David Meslow – Line Judge, Greg Steed – Back Judge
Television: UPN Indiana (Ari Wolfe, Charles Arbuckle, and Jacob VanRyn – Sideline)
Radio: Firebirds' Radio Network: ESPN RADIO 950 AM, WPZZ 95.9 FM, ESPN Radio 1130 AM, & ESPN Radio 1300 AM (Rob Blackman and Jacob VanRyn).
Series Record: Dallas leads 2-0
Last Meeting: July 27, 2002: IND 46 – DAL 47
Coaches: Mike Dailey (3-5 2003, 60-41 Overall) Joe Avezzano (5-3 2003, 13-11 Overall)

THE STAKES: The Firebirds go into this week's match-up versus the Desperados having lost five consecutive games, matching the longest losing streak in franchise history. The ‘Birds are 3-5 entering this week's action and trailing Dallas and Grand Rapids by two games in the Central Division. A win this weekend would put the Firebirds right back in the hunt for the Central Division race. The ‘Birds have won two-of-three road contest this season meanwhile the Desperados have won 3-of-4 in the friendly confines of Reunion Arena.

THE SERIES: The Firebirds and Desperados have only met twice prior to this weekend's meeting in Dallas. Last year the expansion Desperados won both meetings with the Firebirds, including the team's first playoff victory in franchise history. The two teams last met in the first round of the 2002 playoffs when the Desperados upended the ‘Birds 47-46 on July 27th at Reunion Arena in Dallas. Firebirds' quarterback Raymond Philyaw scored from two yards out with seven seconds remaining to pull the ‘Birds to within one point of tying the game. Coach Dailey decided to roll the dice and go for two and the win. However, Philyaw's two-point pass fell to the ground, giving Dallas the one-point victory. Dallas quarterback Andy Kelly completed 22-of-31 passes for 251 yards and seven scores. Indiana OS Eddie Brown led the Firebirds' offense with nine catches for 146 yards and one touchdown in a losing effort.

THE IFS...

If INDIANA Defeats DALLAS, it would...

- Give Indiana its first win over the Dallas franchise.
- End Indiana's five-game losing streak.
- Give Indiana its third win on the road.
- Give Indiana its second Central Division win.

Mike Dailey (60-41, 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 60-41 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).

Joe Avezzano (13-11, 2nd year): Avezzano began his professional head coaching career when he joined Dallas for its inaugural season last year. Last season, Avezzano led Dallas to an 8-8 record and a trip to the Arena Football League quarterfinals while also serving as the special team's coach for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. In his second season as head coach of the Desperados, Avezzano currently has a 13-11 record at the helm in Dallas. Avezzano also served as the special teams coach last season. While working with the Dallas Cowboys Avezzano won the NFL's Special Team Coach of the Year three times in his thirteen years with the franchise. Previously, Avezzano coached the offensive line at Texas A&M (1985-88), was the head coach at Oregon State for five years (1980-84), spent three years as offensive coordinator at Tennessee (1977-79), and four seasons with Pittsburgh and the offensive line coach (1973-76). He started his coaching career at Washington High School in Massillon, OH in 1967. He then went on to coach at Florida State (1968) and Iowa State (1969-72). He also played professionally with the Boston Patriots.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS INJURY REPORT:

Player Pos Injury Status
Brett Bech WR/LB Shoulder Out
Raymond Philyaw QB Finger Doubtful
Aaron Johnson OL/DL Back Questionable
Shawn Foreman WR/LB Ankle Out
Terrance Blackwell WR/DB Abdomen Questionable

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Dailey on last week's game: "Things are difficult now. We are really struggling at the quarterback position and turnovers are really hurting us. I don't when Raymond (Philyaw) will be back but it might be in a couple weeks. I think he will start throwing and then we will see where we are. This is a quarterback's League and not having consistent starter has hurt our offense. It seems like our starters struggle and whoever comes in picks things up. We do have some positives. (Jeremy) McDaniel, (Evan) Hlavacek, (Bill) Duff, and (Jason) Padgett are getting some good experience and playing a lot. But right now the problem is the quarterback consistency.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS LAST WEEK

Starting quarterback Jim Ballard was intercepted four times as the Tampa Bay Storm handed the Firebirds its fifth consecutive loss last Sunday afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse. Ballard made his first start as a Firebird completing 11-of-21 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown before being benched in favor of Jose Davis, who was the starter a week prior in the loss to the Los Angeles Avengers. Davis came on to complete seven of his twelve pass attempts for 60 yards and a touchdown. Indiana's Jeremy McDaniel, who started at OS, led the ‘Birds in receiving for the second straight week, catching a career-high eleven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK

The Firebirds return home for the first of a two-game home stand as they face a Central Division rival for the second consecutive week when the Grand Rapids Rampage come to town next Saturday night. The two teams have split the all-time series at 3-3 entering next week's matchup.

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

Dallas quarterback John Fitzgerald and OL/DLTim Martin were teammates of Indiana's FB/LB Rich Young at Tulsa. Dallas OL/DL Doug Lytle was a teammate of Indiana's Young and OL/DL Hugh Hunter in 2000-2001 with the Milwaukee Mustangs. Indiana's Young and Dallas OS Dialleo Burks were teammates on the Orlando Rage of the XFL in 2001. Desperado WR/DB Luke Leverson was a teammate of Firebirds' DS Del Lee in 2001-2002 with Toronto while Dallas' Lytle was a teammate of Lee's in Toronto during the 2002 season.

OFFENSIVE WOES CONTINUE

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 33 points scored per game during the team's five 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 four different starters over the course of the last five weeks. After starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw suffered a dislocated right index finger over a month 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.

FORGETABLE STREAK

The Firebirds are in the midst of a losing streak that the franchise has not experienced since the team's third year of existence. The last time the Firebirds lost five games in a row Eddie Brown was catching passes at Louisiana Tech. In 1992 the Albany Firebirds lost the last five games of the regular season. The ‘Birds need a win on Saturday to avoid dropping six games in a row, which would be the most consecutive loses in the franchise's fourteen-year history.

INSTANT IMPACT

Firebirds' OS Jeremy McDaniel was has wasted little time in making his presence felt. Two weeks ago McDaniel made his first start in his first game as a member of the Firebirds and led the ‘Birds in receiving. 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. Last week versus the Tampa Bay Storm, McDaniel nearly tripled his offensive output from the week before. Starting as an offensive specialist, McDaniel had a career high eleven catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Firebirds aerial attack for the second week in a row.

POINT OF NO RETURNS

One aspect of last week's game that went to plan for the ‘Birds was kicker Clay Rush's ability to neutralize the Storm's return game. Entering the game the Storm were 10th in the League with 109 kick return yards per game. With four kick returns, the Storm special teams accumulated only 21 yards returned on the afternoon, averaging 4.5 yards per return.

MIXING IT UP

Head Coach Mike Dailey and his staff decided to shake up Indiana's starting lineup in last week's meeting with the Storm and could continue for the foreseeable future. The most notable change came at the at the jack-linebacker position, which was occupied by Eddie Brown who has made a career for himself as an offensive specialist. Brown started on the defensive side of the ball for the first time in his eight-year career and recorded three tackles (2 solo, 2 assisted) on the afternoon. Rookie Jeremy McDaniel replaced Brown at OS before leading the team in receiving for the second week in a row. Adding to the shuffle, three-year veteran Evan Hlavacek started the game at WR/DB, stepping out of his conventional role as a DS for the ‘Birds. The final change came at quarterback where Jim Ballard was given a shot at the starting job after serving as the team's backup in week seven. Though it is tough to do in the middle of the season, with injuries to key players it is necessary for Coach Dailey to shift his lineup around to find a winning combination.

EVAN KEEL

Indiana's Evan Hlavacek is about as mild mannered as they come off the football field, never seeking the attention of others and content with anonymity. On the football field however, Hlavacek might make the most noise of any player currently on the Firebirds' roster. Last week, leaving his role as a DS and starting on both sides of the ball, Hlavacek caught three balls for 39 yards and returned three kickoffs 68 yards, including a 39-yard return setting up an Indiana score. Defensively, he recorded four solo tackles, forced two fumbles, and added a pass deflection. In eight games this season, Hlavacek leads the Firebirds in tackles with 38.0 and pass deflections with nine in leading a strong Indiana defense. He has sparked the Firebirds' special teams play as well, returning 30 kickoffs (7th in AFL) for 659 yards (8th in AFL) and three touchdowns (T-1st in AFL) on the season. He has also caught four passes for 45 yards and rushed the ball five times for eleven yards. In all, Hlavacek has accumulated 793 all-purpose yards which leads the Firebirds at the mid-point of the regular season.

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 eight games played to this point, the Firebirds' defense has held its opponent under their season scoring average six times and currently has the sixth-best scoring defense in the League, giving up 45.4 points per game. In addition, the Firebirds have the fourth-ranked rushing defense in the League, having given up only 85 yards on the season (10.6 ypg), is fifth in total defense (253.4 ypg), and is third in the League in sacks with eleven on the season.

PROTECTING THE PASSER

Quarterback protection could play an important role in the outcome of this weekend's meeting between the Firebirds and Desperados. Entering Saturday's game, the Desperados' defense is tied for the League-lead with 15 sacks on the season and has been able to force opposing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball prematurely. The Firebirds' offensive line has allowed only seven sacks on the season (T-5th in AFL) while the Firebirds' defense has recorded 11 sacks of their own led by OL/DL Hugh Hunter who has 4.5 sacks on the season.

JUMP ON TOP...STAY ON TOP

Through eight 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 0-5. When taking a lead into the fourth quarter, the ‘Birds are 3-1, whereas when the team has a 0-4 when behind after three quarters. HOME NOT SO SWEET HOME

The Firebirds not only lost their fifth consecutive game last Sunday, they lost their fourth consecutive home game of the season. After defeating the Chicago Rush in the team's home opener on February 16th, the ‘Birds have dropped four in a row at home by an average 14 points per game. Last week's loss to the Storm gave the Firebirds its longest home losing streak in franchise history.

STILL IN THE HUNT

Despite the five-game slide for the Firebirds, the team is still in the mix of the playoff race. If the playoffs started today, the ‘Birds would be in as a eleventh seed and there is still half a season of football yet to be played to improve the team's position.

KEY MATCHUP: DALLAS QB JIM KUBIAK VS INDIANA SECONDARY

The Firebirds have stiffened up their pass defense in recent weeks, giving up an average of 219 yards through the air during the past three weeks and are currently ranked fifth in pass defense throughout the AFL (242 yds/gm) having intercepted seven passes, two that have been returned for a touchdown. Quarterback Jim Kubiak leads a Dallas aerial attack that is second in the Leauge averaging 300 yards passing per game entering this week's play. Kubiak has completed 195 passes (3rd in AFL) for 2,423 yards (2nd in AFL) and 34 touchdowns (T-5th in AFL) along with being the second-highest rated quarterback in the Arena Football League.

STILL GOING...

Firebirds' OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown has played in a record 131 consecutive games entering this week's meeting with Dallas, 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 located 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 (904), and receiving yards (12,185). Brown eclipsed 2,000 points for his career in week-four versus Arizona and passed Barry Wagner four 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. 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 (3rd in AFL).

DALLAS DESPERADOS:

QB Jim Kubiak: Two-year AFL veteran who is in his first year as a starter for the Desperados after spending last season as a backup to Andy Kelly. Currently the second-highest rated quarterback in the AFL with 195 completions (3rd in League) on 283 attempts (3rd in League) for 2,423 yards (2nd in League) and 34 touchdowns (T-5th in League)

WR/LB Andy McCullough: Second-year player who through eight weeks of the regular season ranks in the top ten in receptions (52) and receiving yards (669) while averaging 83.6 receiving yards per game (9th in AFL).

MILESTONES:

Leroy Thompson: Needs 6 rushing touchdowns to reach 50 for his career
Leroy Thompson: Needs 3 sacks to reach 15 for his career.
Chris Snyder: Needs half a sack to reach 15 for his career.
Eddie Brown: Needs 6 receiving touchdowns to reach 300 for his career.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 25, 2003


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