New York Dragons Game Notes
March 12, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
Quick Facts
New York Dragons (0-6) at Detroit Fury (3-3)
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2003
Kickoff: 12:00 PM
Site: The Palace of Auburn Hills (14,826)
Officials: Referee: Darrel Leftwich Umpire: Jeff Carr Head Linesman: Bill Ward Line Judge: Jim Hatfield Back Judge: Tony Lombardo Supervisor: Jim Lapetina
Radio: WLIE 540AM: Sid Rosenberg and Peter Schwartz
TV: NBC4 Eli Gold and Charles Davis
Series Record: The Dragons won the only meeting between the teams 44-37 on May 24, 2002.
Last Meeting: New York 44 - New York 37 Nassau Coliseum, May 24, 2002
Coaches: Detroit â Al Luginbill (3-3, 1st year) Dragons - Todd Shell (29-27, 5th Year - 0-2, 1st year as Dragons coach)
2002 Meeting vs. Detroit:
May 24: Detroit 37, Dragons 44
The Dragons improved to 2-4 with former Florida State and New York Giant QB Danny Kanell at the helm, making his AFL debut in the second half and overcoming a 19-9 halftime deficit to defeat the Detroit Fury, 44-37, before 9,726 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Kanell finished the game 14-for-18 for 80 yards and three touchdowns, all to OS Steve Papin, to be named game MVP.
On his first possession, with Detroit leading 22-9, Kanell led the team down the field to set up a Rodney Filer touchdown run and the Dragons' first touchdown of the night cutting the lead to 22-16. On the ensuing kickoff, Clay Rush's kick would hit the rebound net and be recovered by Defensive Player of the Week Donvetis Franklin (2 INTS) who returned the ball for a score giving the Dragons their first lead of the game, 23-22. However, Chuck Winters' 56-yard kickoff return for a touchdown would cap off three touchdowns in as many plays giving the Fury the lead right back at 28-23. The touchdown flurry would continue with Danny Kanell hitting OS Steve Papin for his first of three touchdowns giving the Dragons a 30-28 lead. Ignacio Brache's 37-yard field goal would complete a 33-point third quarter giving the Fury a 31-30 lead going into the fourth.
The Dragon's offense was on the field as the fourth quarter got underway. Kanell found Steve Papin in the end zone once again and the Dragons took the lead 37-31. On Detroit's next possession, New York's defense would come up big. Donvetis Franklin came down with his second interception of the game and the Dragons would capitalize on the Fury's mistake. Kanell would hook up with Papin for the third time as the Dragons took a 13-point lead, 44-31 putting the game away. Game Preview:
In search of their first win of the season the 0-6 New York Dragons face the 3-3 Detroit Fury at the Palace in Auburn Hills with the game being televised nationally on NBC. The Dragons have made several moves the last few weeks, including the firing of Head Coach John Gregory and his entire coaching staff prior to a Week 4 matchup with Orlando. The Dragons then started Week 5 by releasing OS Steve Papin and bringing in WR/DB Carlos James, an eight-year veteran of the AFL. They also released K Kenny Stucker and OL/DL John Summerday. To replace Stucker, the Dragons brought in K Pete Elezovic, a five-year AFL veteran who kicked for the Tampa Bay Storm, earlier in the season. This week the Dragons cut DS Kory Blackwell.
The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Fury, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 1-6 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a 2-0 record all-time vs. Detroit.
*Give the Dragons their first win of the season.
*Give Todd Shell his first win as Dragons Head Coach.
*Snap a six-game losing steak.
*Snap a two-game road losing streak.
Last Week:
In the second week of the Todd Shell regime, the New York Dragons fought hard but still could not come out with their first victory of the season, losing to Los Angeles, 65-61. On the last play of the game, Kevin Clemens ran the ball into the end zone from less then a yard out to give LA the victory.
The Dragons could not make the key stop in the closing seconds of the game. The action picked up when the Dragons tied the game at 14-14 after Aaron Garcia hooked up with Chris Anthony in the end zone and then found Mike Furrey for a two-point conversion. On LA's next possession, quarterback Tony Graziani lost his grip on the pigskin as Kerry Brown fell on the loose ball for the Dragons' first defensive stop of the game.
The Dragons' defense came up with another defensive stop as the first half expired. Former NY Giant Kory Blackwell deflected a Graziani pass on second down. Avenger DB Kevin Ingram then dropped a pass in the end zone on third, which then led to a successful 32-yard field goal attempt by Remy Hamilton.
LA came up with a defensive stop of their own late in the third quarter. Tight defense set up a field goal attempt for Pete Elezovic, however the kick sailed wide right. The Avengers then retook the lead as Graziani threw a dump pass to WR Slaha Burley, who found his way through the New York's defense to get into the endzone.
The Dragons fought back to retake the lead with just fifty seconds remaining as Mike Furrey brought in his third touchdown of the game. Unfortunately the Dragons could not stop the Avengers offense, which scored a touchdown as time expired. Upcoming Schedule:
The Dragons continue on the road when they head to "Chi-town" to play the Chicago Rush. The Dragons will look to avenge the heartbreaking 55-45 loss suffered in Chicago last season in a game that saw a 38-20 half-time turned away.
Dragon Tales:
Dragons Replace Entire Coaching Staff: The New York Dragons announced on Feb. 24 that they relieved Head Coach John Gregory and his assistants, Ted Heath, Scot Maynard and Dick Adams of their duties. Gregory was in his ninth year with the Iowa/New York franchise, earning a record of 66-48. In three years in New York with the Dragons, Gregory was 11-21. The Dragons are currently 0-4 after finishing the 2002 season 3-11.
The New York Dragons named former San Jose Sabercats Head Coach Todd Shell as the second head coach in franchise history. He will be assisted by Lary Kuharich and Derrick Chachere.
Serving as the first head coach in Sabercats history, Shell led his 1995 squad to a record of 8-4 and a Western Division Championship. His team became the first expansion franchise in AFL history to win a division title. After four seasons at the helm in San Jose, Shell compiled a record of 29-25 earning a playoff berth in three of four seasons.
Shell was the San Francisco 49ers' 1984 first-round draft pick out of BYU where he proceeded to win two Super Bowl rings (1984 and 1988). Shell played five seasons in San Francisco before retiring due to injuries. He most recently worked as the color commentator for the Arizona Rattlers, where he served as defensive coordinator from 1992-1994.
Dragons Sign Former Iowa Barnstormer WR/DB Carlos James and release OS Steve Papin:
The New York Dragons have signed former Iowa Barnstormer and eight-year Arena Football League veteran WR/DB Carlos James, the team announced on March 5. The Dragons also announced that they have released Offensive Specialist/Kick Returner Steve Papin.
Prior to joining the Dragons, the 6-0, 180-pound defensive minded eight-year veteran James had intercepted 34 passes and broken-up 85. On offense, James had caught 277 passes for 3,466 yards and 74 touchdowns. The former six-year Iowa Barnstormer is also the Dragons' franchise leader in interceptions with 26.
"I'm very excited about playing in New York with the Dragons," said James. "I loved being a Barnstormer in Iowa and hope I can have that same success here. I'm also looking forward to proving to the other 15 teams that passed up on me this off-season that I can still play this game. I really think my experience of playing defense in this League will be a big help to Kory Blackwell and Donvetis Franklin."
In releasing Papin, the Dragons look to give Mike Furrey more opportunities on offense. "Steve Papin is a very good player and someone we would like to have around," said Dragons head coach Todd Shell. "But with Mike Furrey's productivity on offense he needs to be on the field on offense as much as possible. Playing the OS will allow that to happen."
Carlos James will wear the number 5 for the remainder of the season with K Pete Elezovic moving to number 1.
Garcia and Furrey Top League Rankings:
Dragons QB Aaron Garcia leads the AFL in several offense categories.
Category Rank Amount
Completion Pct. 1st 69.3
Completions 1st 160
Pass Rating 1st 128.0
Passing Yards 1st 2,008
Passing TD's 1st 44
Dragons Ironman WR/DB Mike Furrey also is topping the AFL charts.
Category Rank Amount
Points 2nd 118
Receptions T-2nd 49
Rec. Yards T-2nd 760
Receiving TD's T-2nd 19
All-Purpose Yards 8th 833
Furrey Earns Ironman of the Game Honors Twice:
Twice in the first five weeks, despite a losing effort by the Dragons, 2002 All-Ironman Team member WR/DB Mike Furrey picked up Ironman of the Game honors after recording seven-catches for 97-yards and two touchdowns vs. the Las Vegas Gladiators. Furrey had previously earned the honor in Week 1 at Dallas following a seven-catch, 125 receiving yards, two touchdown and one interception performance vs. the Desperados.
Garcia Named Game MVP at Grand Rapids
Recording 380 passing yards and seven touchdowns, Dragons QB Aaron Garcia was named the Game MVP in a Week 3 loss in Grand Rapids.
From the Neighborhood:
This year's Dragons squad has a distinct New York accent. Local players include former New Orleans Saint OL/DL Jermaine Miles played high-school football at Canarsie in Brooklyn. WR/LB Carl Sacco played at CW Post. Former Cleveland Brown lineman Elliot Fortune was a two-year captain at Long Island's Roosevelt High School. Jason Maxwell, who played college football at Hofstra University, is a former recipient of Mayor's Trophy for sportsmanship from the Village of Hempstead in 2000.
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