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Indiana Firebirds Game Notes

April 15, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (5-6) vs. San Jose Sabercats (7-4)
Date: April 19, 2003
Kickoff: 9:30 pm (Indianapolis Time)
Site: HP Pavilion (14,041)
Officials: Wes Fritz – Referee, Tony Payne – Umpire, Rich Grube – Head Linesman, Kent Payne – Line Judge, James Cole – Back Judge
Television: UPN Indiana TV-23 (Ari Wolfe and Charles Arbuckle)
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: Series tied 3-3
Last Meeting: July 5, 2002: IND 41 – SAN 52
Coaches: Mike Dailey (5-6 2003, 62-42 Overall) Darren Arbet (7-4 2003, 48-19 Overall)

THE STAKES: A win on Saturday would get the Firebirds back to the .500 mark for the first time since the team was 3-3 and would keep the ‘Birds in the middle of the playoff hunt. A loss would drop Indiana back to two games below .500 with four games remaining in the regular season and would give the ‘Birds seven regular season loses for only the fourth time in the franchise's fourteen-year history. A San Jose loss would give the SaberCats its fifth loss of the season, which would be the teams' most defeats since the 1999 season.

THE SERIES: Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting between the Firebirds and SaberCats dating back to the 1996 season. The two teams have split the all-time series at three wins apiece. The Firebirds have won three out of the last four meetings carrying a 2-0 record at home, however have struggled somewhat on the road versus the SaberCats with a 1-3 record entering this week's matchup in San Jose. The two team's last met on July 5th of last season when the eventual ArenaBowl Champion SaberCats outscored the Firebirds 52-41 in San Jose. With the win, the SaberCats recorded its twelfth consecutive win of the season, which is currently the best start to a season in AFL history.

THE IFS...

If INDIANA Defeats SAN JOSE, it would...

- Give Indiana back-to-back wins for the first time since weeks two and three.
- Give Indiana its fourth win in the last five meetings with San Jose
- Bring Indiana back to .500 with a 6-6 record

Mike Dailey (62-42, 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 62-42 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).

Darren Arbet (48-19, 5th year): Now in his fifth season with the Sabercats, Arbet led San Jose to an ArenaBowl championship last season and has also won three Western Division Titles. He also received Coach-of-the-Year honors for the second time in three years. Arbet was an original member of the team's coaching staff and became the second head coach of the team. He is also the ninth former AFL player to be named to a head coaching position. Before he joined the Sabercats, Arbet spent one year as an assistant to the defensive coordinator of the Albany Firebirds. In 1993 he directed the semi-pro River City Gamblers to a league championship. He began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, California State University. During his three years with the team he coached tight ends and special teams, and served as an academic advisor in the athletic department. Before coaching, Arbet spent two years in the AFL during the late 1980's playing as a fullback/linebacker with the Los Angeles Cobras (1988) and the Maryland Commandos (1989). His career was ended when he sustained a wrist injury, which required three surgeries. Along with his head coaching duties, Arbet will be serving as the Director of Player Personnel. He will work with negotiating player contracts and have a decision in all personnel moves.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTE:

Head Coach Mike Dailey on last week's game: "This was a great game for all our players and the fans. It was a great Arena Football game. We've been in a lot of close games this year and it's great to come out on the good end of things this time. We had a lot of big plays today from some great players but I think definitely the difference was having Raymond (Philyaw) back. But it was a great team effort from everyone. Ray's a great player, a great leader and having a quarterback with his 4-5 years experience is a big difference from having a younger player."

INDIANA FIREBIRDS LAST WEEK

The Firebirds upended the Dallas Desperados for the second time in three weeks, 61-57 last Sunday afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse, snapping a five-game home losing streak. The win mirrored Indiana's win over Dallas in week nine with both victories coming on dramatic last-second touchdown catches by wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown. Trailing by three with less than ten seconds remaining in the contest, quarterback Raymond Philyaw hooked up with Brown for a game-winning 30-yard touchdown reception, giving the ‘Birds its fifth win of the season. After spending five weeks on injured reserve with a dislocated index finger, Philyaw made his return to the starting lineup and completed 23-of-40 passes for 294 yards and had a season-high eight touchdowns before being named the game's MVP. Brown led the ‘Birds in receiving with seven catches for 95 yards and recorded a season-high four receiving touchdowns on his way to Ironman of the Game honors. Wide receiver/defensive back Terrance Blackwell also made his return to the starting lineup after spending four weeks on injured reserve, catching five balls for 70 yards and two scores.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK

The Firebirds play the second of a two-game road trip when the team travels to Buffalo to face the Destroyers next Saturday night. Indiana owns a 3-1 all-time series advantage in four series meetings with the Destroyers.

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

San Jose's current Head Coach Darren Arbet was an assistant coach with the Firebirds in 1998. San Jose offensive/defensive lineman Darrin Kenney was a member of the Firebirds from 1994-1996 and offensive/defensive lineman Joe Jacobs spent four seasons with the Firebirds (1997-2000) before joining San Jose. Jacobs is still the Firebirds' all-time sacks leader (22.5) Indiana offensive/defensive lineman John Sikora and San Jose fullback/linebacker Matt Kinsinger were teammates at Slippery Rock. Firebirds' wide receiver/linebacker Shawn Foreman and SaberCats' offensive/defensive lineman Chuck Reed were teammates with the Oklahoma Wranglers during the 2001 season. Indiana's offensive/defensive lineman Hugh Hunter and San Jose's James Roe were teammates with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens during the 1997 season.

THE SWAGGER'S BACK

The Indiana offense had struggled to put points on the board during the absence of starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw, only surpassing 40 points once. However, with Philyaw back in the starting lineup, the Firebirds played with a confidence that had been lacking during the team's mid-season slump. Philyaw led his team into the endzone two minutes into the contest and would do so seven more times in leading the Firebirds to its third Central Division victory while accumulating 312 all-purpose yards and putting 61 points on the board. In the end Philyaw completed 23-of-40 pass attempts for 294 yards before earning Game MVP honors. His eight passing touchdowns last week versus Dallas were the most of any Firebird hurler on the season. Philyaw's favorite target was wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown who had seven catches for 95 yards along with hauling in a personal and team season-high four touchdowns including the game winner.

THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

With Raymond Philyaw starting at quarterback for Indiana this season, the Firebirds have averaged 54.8 points per game in his five starts and have accumulated a 4-1 record. In six games where Philyaw was not the starter, the ‘Birds have averaged only 37.3 points per game with a 1-5 record.

BROWN SURPASSES 300

Indiana's Eddie Brown has arguably had the best offensive career of any player in the history of the Arena Football League. Brown strengthened that argument Saturday night when on his third touchdown catch of the night he became the only player in League history to record 300 receiving touchdowns for his career. Brown finished the night with four TD catches, giving him 301 during his nine-year career. WHEN ON TOP, STAY ON TOP

When the ‘Birds reach an early lead, the team will most likely come out on top. When the Firebirds take a lead into halftime, they are 5-1. However, when trailing at halftime, the Firebirds are winless at 0-5.

BROWN FIRST TO WECOME BACK PHILYAW

With Raymond Philyaw in the starting lineup, Eddie Brown surpassed 100 yards receiving in two of the first three games of the season. In Philyaw's absence, Brown did not eclipse 100 yards once and failed to record a touchdown in three games, which included the longest touchdown drought of Brown's nine-year career. In five games this season with Philyaw as the starter, Brown has caught 34 passes for 460 yards and ten touchdowns. Last week in Philyaw's return, Brown caught a season-high four touchdowns, which was the most receiving touchdowns for Brown since week eleven of last year when he scored five touchdowns in a win over Grand Rapids.

HOME DROUGHT SNAPPED

After losing five consecutive games at home, the Firebirds captured its first home win in nearly two months after defeating the Desperados last Saturday. Prior to last week's win, the Firebirds had not won a home game since week-three versus the Chicago Rush.

ROAD SWEET ROAD

The Firebirds have found success on the road this season; however have struggled in the friendly confines of Conseco Fieldhouse. The ‘Birds currently have a 3-1 record on the road averaging 58 points per game during the team's four road contests. Including last week's win, Indiana has a 2-5 record at home while averaging 38.1 points per contest. Four of the Firebirds' final five games are on the road this season, including Saturday's game in San Jose.

BROWN'S LATEST HONOR

Firebirds' wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown has received numerous honors throughout his career, however has never garnished game Ironman honors after spending his entire career on one side of the ball. Brown moved to WR/LB in week-eight and earned Ironman of the Game honors last week for the first time in his nine-year career after leading the ‘Birds with seven catches for 95 yards and a season-high four TDs while recording one solo tackle on the defensive side of the ball.

THIRD QUARTER NO SHOW

The Firebirds have yet to record a come-from-behind victory this season in eleven games played. Indiana is 0-5 when trailing at halftime and 0-5 when trailing after the third quarter. This may be a result of Indiana's inability to put points on the board in the third quarter. The Firebirds have put up a goose egg during the third quarter in three of the team's last five games, being outscored 70-14 in the process. For the season, the Firebirds have been outscored 119-81 during the third quarter.

WHAT A RUSH

Firebirds' kicker Clay Rush missed four extra point attempts during the first two games of the season. In the following nine games Rush has missed only four extra point attempts and has currently made 30 out of his last 31 attempts. Entering this week's play Rush is third in the Arena Football League having connected on 87.3 percent of his extra point attempts (55-63). In addition, Rush has made a League-best fifteen field goals on the season as the Firebirds currently rank third in the League with 100 points scored via the kicking game.

MIXING IT UP

Head Coach Mike Dailey and his staff decided to shake up Indiana's starting lineup in recent weeks, which is a trend that could continue for the foreseeable future. The most notable change has come at the at the jack-linebacker position, which is now 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 in week eight versus Tampa Bay. Rookie Jeremy McDaniel has replaced Brown at OS and has led the team in receiving in three out of the last five weeks. Adding to the shuffle, three-year veteran Evan Hlavacek now finds himself as a WR/DB, stepping out of his conventional role as a DS for the ‘Birds. 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.

BACK IN BLACKWELL

Along with Raymond Philyaw, Indiana wide receiver/defensive back Terrance Blackwell made his return to the starting lineup last week after spending four weeks on injured reserve. Prior to the injury, Blackwell was the team's third-leading receiver with 19 catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns. In his return last week, Blackwell picked up where he left off catching five balls for 70 yards and had a season-high two touchdowns. He was also instrumental in filling in for the injured Evan Hlavacek, returning two kickoffs for 58 yards in last week's victory over the Desperados.

RUNNING SIDE BY SIDE

Entering this week's play the SaberCats have the number one ranked rushing offense in the League averaging 37.3 yards per game. As a team San Jose has rushed for 410 yards and 36 touchdowns led by Keala Keanaaina who has rushed the ball 35 times (2nd in AFL) for 194 yards (1st in AFL) and ten touchdowns (T-1st in AFL). The Firebirds currently have the second-best rushing offense in the League (27.7 yd/g), having rushed the ball 93 times (3rd in AFL) for 305 yards (2nd in AFL) and 22 touchdowns (3rd in AFL) on the season. FB/LB Leroy Thompson leads Indiana's rushing attack having rushed the ball 36 times (T-1st in AFL) for 132 yards (3rd in AFL) and eight touchdowns (T-3rd in AFL) this season.

RECEIVING LINEMEN?

Firebirds' quarterbacks have completed 204 passes entering this week's play. Of those completions, not one of them has been completed to an Indiana lineman. Not only has a Firebirds' lineman not recorded a pass reception, but a lineman has not even been thrown to this season. The Firebirds are the only AFL team yet to record a lineman reception.

STILL GOING...

Firebirds' OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown has played in a record 134 consecutive games entering this week's meeting with Grand Rapids, all which have been in a Firebirds' uniform. Moore-Brown has not missed a game in his eight-year career.

2003 PLAYOFF PICTURE

If the playoffs started today Indiana would be in the playoffs for the thirteenth time in franchise history as an eleven-seed and would meet the Georgia Force in the first round of the postseason. The Tampa Bay Storm are currently the League's top-seeded team and would receive a first round bye along with Los Angeles, Grand Rapids, and San Jose who all would also receive first round byes. Of the twelve teams that advance to the AFL postseason, the top seed owns home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and the right to host ArenaBowl XVII.

‘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/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

INDIANA FIREBIRDS

WR/LB "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 (301), receptions (922), and receiving yards (12,429). Brown eclipsed 2,000 points for his career in week-four versus Arizona and passed Barry Wagner in week five versus Colorado to become the League's all-time leader in receiving yards. Became the only player in League history to record over 300 receiving touchdowns during last week's win over the Desperados.

QB Raymond Philyaw: Ray is in his fourth season with the Firebirds as the team's second most accurate quarterback in franchise history (63.2). Philyaw has quickly ascended to third in team history in virtually every passing category. Currently ranks third in pass attempts (1,006), completions (632), yards passing (7,808), and passing touchdowns (145).

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).

SAN JOSE SABERCATS:

QB Mark Grieb: Five-year AFL veteran who was named the League's Offensive Player of the Year in 2002. Leads the top-ranked scoring offense in the League (61.6 ppg) with 201 completions (8th in AFL) on 311 attempts (8th in AFL) for 2,621 yards (8th in AFL) and 47 touchdowns (9th in AFL).

DS Clevan Thomas: Second-year defensive specialist who was the 2002 AFL Rookie of the Year and ADT Defensive Player of the Year after tying a single-season record with seven combined kick return touchdowns. Currently leads the AFL in interceptions (9) and interception return yards (165) along with interception returns for a touchdown (3, T-1st in AFL). Also a dangerous return man, having returned 48 kicks (5th in AFL) for 973 yards (6th in AFL) and three scores (T-3rd in AFL).

WR/LB James Roe: Leads the SaberCats in receiving with 76 catches (6th in AFL) for 957 yards (9th in AFL) and 21 touchdowns (6th in AFL).

INDIANA QB RAYMOND PHILYAW VS SAN JOSE DS CLEVAN THOMAS

Entering this week's play Indiana's Raymond Philyaw is the only quarterback yet to throw an interception on the season and has not thrown a pick in his last 195 pass attempts. San Jose DS Clevan Thomas currently leads the League in interceptions with nine on the season and has returned three for a touchdown. Thomas has 14 picks in two seasons with the SaberCats.

INDIANA WR/LB EDDIE BROWN VS SAN JOSE WR/DB BARRY WAGNER

Saturday's game between the Firebirds and SaberCats features two of the greatest players in the history of the Arena Football League. Indiana's Eddie Brown and San Jose's Barry Wagner both rank either first or second in virtually every statistical category in League history.

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