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Indiana Firebirds Game Notes

April 29, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Indiana Firebirds (5-8) vs. Georgia Force (7-6)
Date: May 4, 2003
Kickoff: 2:00 pm (Indianapolis Time)
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (16,060)
Officials: William LeMonnier – Referee, Dan Ferrell – Umpire, Alan Baynes – Head Linesman, Art Lucky – Line Judge, Billy Beckett – Back Judge
Television: NBC Sports (Allen Bestwick and John Riggins)
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: First series meeting
Coaches: Mike Dailey (5-8 2003, 62-44 Overall) Marty Lowe (7-6 2003, 13-14 Overall)

THE STAKES: The Firebirds meet the Georgia Force on Sunday in the team's final regular season home contest and need a victory to ignite a late-season push towards earning a playoff spot. A win would give the ‘Birds a legitimate chance to make the postseason with two regular season games remaining, both which are road games. A loss would distance the ‘Birds from a postseason berth and would drop Indiana to four games below .500 for the first time in the team's 14-year history.

THE SERIES: Sunday will mark the first time that the Firebirds and Force have met. The Force franchise, formerly Nashville Kats, relocated to Atlanta for the 2002 season.

THE IFS...

If INDIANA Defeats GEORGIA, it would...
· Give Indiana its first-ever victory over Georgia
· Give Indiana its third home win of the season
· Prevent Indiana from falling four games under .500 for the first time in franchise history
· Keep Indiana in the playoff hunt

Mike Dailey (62-44, 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 62-44 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).

Marty Lowe (13-14, 2nd year): Marty Lowe is in his second season as Head Coach for the Georgia Force. Last year he guided the Force to a second place finish in the Southern Division with a 6-8 record after replacing Robert Lyles following the Force's 1-4 start. Before joining the Force, Lowe was a running back coach for the University of Texas-El Paso. He started his AFL coaching career in 2000 when he joined the Nashville Kats as an offensive assistant. He went on to serve as offensive coordinator and assistant coach for the Kats. Prior to his stint in Nashville, Lowe spent three seasons with his alma mater, the University of Louisville as an assistant coach. After playing quarterback at the University of Louisville from 1991-95, Lowe spent two years playing in the AFL. He played with the St. Louis Stampede in 1996 and went on to join the Texas Terrors where he was a starter until he suffered a career-ending knee injury.

The Firebirds failed to convert on a two-point play that would have given Indiana the win as the ‘Birds dropped its second game in a row at the hands of the Buffalo Destroyers, 36-35 last Saturday night in Buffalo. Indiana Head Coach Mike Dailey opted to roll the dice and go for the win following quarterback Raymond Philyaw's five-yard touchdown pass to offensive specialist Jeremy McDaniel with no time on the clock, a play that brought the' Birds to within one point of Buffalo. The Destroyers were penalized on three consecutive downs, before the ‘Birds were able to score on Philyaw's third attempt into the endzone. Philyaw completed 25-of-39 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 31 yards and two scores. McDaniel led the ‘Birds in receiving with eleven catches for 75 yards and a score in a losing effort. In his first start with the Destroyers, quarterback Bob Bees completed 15-of-28 pass attempts for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Offensive specialist Gunnard Twyner led Buffalo in receiving with seven catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, followed by wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White who had four catches for 96 yards and two scores, including the game-winning 23-yard touchdown reception with 30 seconds remaining in the contest.

INDIANA FIREBIRDS NEXT WEEK

The Firebirds travel to Grand Rapids to face the Rampage in the first of two road contests to close regular season play. The Rampage outscored the Firebirds 56-49 in week 10 at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Rampage currently hold a 4-3 all-time series advantage over the Firebirds who have a 1-2 record in games played at Grand Rapids. 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 Force wide receiver/linebacker Darryl Hammond was a member of the Firebirds from 1991-1994.. Indiana's Del Lee and Georgia's Jeff Cummings and Hardy Mitchell were teammates with the Toronto Phantoms during the 2001 season. Indiana's Rich Young and Hugh Hunter were teammates with Georgia's Mitchell with the Milwaukee Mustangs in 2001. Firebirds wide receiver/defensive back Greg Williams and Force Oscar Sturgis were teammates at North Carolina. Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Donnie Caldwell and Georgia Juan Porter were teammates in 2001 as members of the now defunct XFL's New Jersey/New York Hitmen.

UNPICKABLE

Raymond Philyaw has thrown for 1,588 yards and 29 touchdowns while also rushing for 101 yards and eight scores in eight games of action this season. Since his return from injured reserve in week ten, Philyaw has thrown for 919 yards and 19 touchdowns. However, his most impressive stat is the fact that in 216 pass attempts this season, Philyaw has not thrown an interception. The interception-less streak dates back to last season with his last interception thrown versus the Dallas Desperados during the first round of the 2002 postseason. In all, Philyaw has not thrown an interception in his last 234 pass attempts and has thrown 31 touchdowns in the process.

THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

With Raymond Philyaw starting at quarterback for Indiana this season, the Firebirds have averaged 54.3 points per game in his seven starts and have accumulated a 4-3 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.

‘BIRDS D PITCHES FIRST QTR SHUTOUT

Last Saturday the Firebirds' defense came up with its first opening quarter shutout of the season after thirteen weeks of play. It was the first time that Indiana's defense held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter since a meeting with the Milwaukee Mustangs in week two of the 2001 season. A FIRST FOR YOUNG

Indiana fullback/linebacker Rich Young has established himself as one of the Firebirds' top defensive players since coming over from Milwaukee in 2002. In two seasons with the ‘Birds, Young has recorded 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Last weekend in Buffalo Young recorded his first interception as a Firebird and first pick of his four-year career.

SPREADING THE WEALTH

Quarterback Raymond Philyaw to say the least has spread the wealth amongst his receiving corp this season. Last week Philyaw completed 25 passes to five different receivers, led by OS Jeremy McDaniel who had 11 catches, followed by WR/LB Eddie Brown and WR/DB Terrance Blackwell who had five apiece. In all the ‘Birds have had 14 different receivers record a catch this season and seven different players who are in double figures in receptions this season.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN

Quarterback Raymond Philyaw has missed six games due to injury this season with his team compiling a 1-5 record in his absence. In seven games of action this season, Philyaw has completed 134-of-215 passes for 1,591 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing the ball 24 times for 101 yards and eight scores. If we play the "what if" game and you give Philyaw those six games back, he would currently be on pace to have the best season of his career. With a full season of play, Philyaw's projected numbers would look like this: 13 games, completing 248-of-401 passes for 2,953 yards and 53 passing touchdowns, while also rushing the ball 42 times for 185 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?

The Firebirds return home this weekend after suffering defeats on both coasts over the course of the last two weeks. The ‘Birds have struggled at home this season, carrying a 2-5 home record entering the team's last home contest of the season on Sunday afternoon. The five home loses for the Firebirds this season are the most home defeats in franchise history. Prior to this season, the Firebirds had only lost a total of four home games at Conseco Fieldhouse since moving from Albany to Indianapolis in 2001.

STRIVE TO AVOID NINE

As the result of a mid-season five-game losing streak, the Firebirds have lost a total of eight games this season. Eight defeats ties the team's most losses in franchise history, including postseason play ('93, ‘97,'02), and is the most regular season losses since the 1997 season (8).

GOING FOR TWO

Indiana lost for the second week in a row on a failed two-point conversion on the games final play last week in Buffalo. The ‘Birds have struggled this season and in years past in converting two-point plays. This season the Firebirds are 1-of-5 on two-point tries and overall are 8-of-28 (28%) dating back to the 1999 season. Over that same stretch, Firebirds' opponents have converted on 28-of-40 (70%) two-point attempts, including 7-of-11 this season.

ALL HE DOES IS CATCH TOUCHDOWNS

Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Shawn Foreman has caught four passes this season for the Firebirds. What is noteworthy is the fact that two of the four have been for a touchdown. Foreman caught one pass for a 19-yard touchdown in week 11 versus Dallas and added one catch for a 34-yard touchdown two weeks in San Jose, meaning 50 percent of his pass receptions have gone for touchdowns.

WILL THE BROWN OUT CONTINUE?

Indiana wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Brown is currently the AFL's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (301) and is second in total touchdowns (342). However, uncharacteristically, Brown has been somewhat of a stranger to the endzone this season. Brown has gone six games this season without scoring a touchdown, which is the most total scoreless games in one season of his nine-year career. Brown has not scored a touchdown since week eleven versus Dallas and has been shutout in back to back weeks for the second time this season.

INDY'S VERSION OF SLASH

Raymond Philyaw had done almost as much damage with his legs as he has with his arm this season. Last week Philyaw rushed the ball six times for a career-high 31 yards resulting in two touchdowns. Entering this week's play, Philyaw has rushed the ball 24 times for 101 yards (8th in AFL, 2nd among QBs) and eight touchdowns (T-4th in AFL, tops among QBs) in leading a Firebirds' offense that currently ranks second in the AFL in total rushing offense (27.1 yd/g) and is tied for third in rushing touchdowns (25). Philyaw's 101 yards rushing and eight touchdowns this season are both career highs.

THIRD QUARTER NO SHOW

The Firebirds have yet to record a come-from-behind victory this season in thirteen games played. Indiana is 0-5 when trailing at halftime and 0-6 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 games this year and for the season the Firebirds have been outscored 140-94 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 eleven games Rush has missed only five extra point attempts and has currently made 40 out of his last 42 attempts. Entering this week's play, Rush is fourth in the Arena Football League having connected on 88 percent of his extra point attempts (65-74). In addition, Rush has made a League-best 19 field goals on the season as the Firebirds currently rank second in the League with 122 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 in the foreseeable future. The most notable change has come 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 four out of the last six games. 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.

STILL GOING...

Firebirds' OL/DL Kyle Moore-Brown has played in a record 136 consecutive games entering this week's meeting with Georgia, all which have been in a Firebirds' uniform. Moore-Brown has not missed a game in his eight-year career.

2003 PLAYOFF PICUTRE

If the playoffs started today Indiana would miss the playoffs for only the third time in franchise history, currently holding the 13th slot in the playoff race. The Tampa Bay Storm are currently the League's top-seeded team and would receive a first round bye along with Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Jose. 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 on 96th Street 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 (935), and receiving yards (12,520). 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 in week eleven versus 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 (1,083), completions (682), yards passing (8,317), and passing touchdowns (155).

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 finished 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 (T-4th in AFL).

GEORGIA FORCE:

DS Kevin Gaines: Veteran defensive specialist who currently leads the Force in tackles with 40.5, pass deflections with 17 (T-5th in AFL), and interceptions with 7 (T-3rd in AFL).

QB Donnie Davis: Five-year veteran who is in his second year as a starter for the Force. Leads Georgia's offensive attack having completed 107-of-305 pass attempts for 2,157 yards and 30 touchdowns and is 10th in the AFL averaging 239.7 yards passing per game.

INDIANA QB RAYMOND PHILYAW VERSUS GEORGIA'S DEFENSE

Indiana quarterback Raymond Philyaw has averaged 227.3 yards passing and 4 touchdowns in seven games this season. Since his return from IR three weeks ago, Indiana's offense has averaged 55.7 points and 298.3 total offensive yards per contest. However, Georgia brings the number one ranked defense in the AFL, giving up an average of only 228 total offensive yards per game this season. The Force also boasts the number one pass defense in the League (216.2) and second-ranked scoring defense (42.1). Philyaw has yet to throw an interception this season, however faces a Georgia secondary that has picked off 19 passes in 2003 (3rd in AFL).

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