New York Dragons Game Notes

Published on March 18, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts
New York Dragons (1-6) at Chicago Rush (3-4)
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2003
Kickoff: 12:00 PM
Site: Allstate Arena (16,000)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey Umpire: Paul King Head Linesman: Rusty Spindel Line Judge: James Mello Back Judge: Rich Wilborn Supervisor: Buddy Ward
Radio: WLIE 540AM: Sid Rosenberg and Peter Schwartz
TV: NBC4 Mike Breen and Ray Bentley with Marty Snider on the sideline.
Series Record: The Dragons lost their only meeting with the Rush last season 55-45 on June 30, 2002 at Allstate Arena.
Last Meeting: Chicago 55 - New York 45 Allstate Arena, June 30, 2002
Coaches: Chicago – Mike Hohensee (63-60, 10th year) Dragons - Todd Shell (30-27, 5th Year - 1-2, 1st year as Dragons coach)

2002 Meeting vs. Chicago:
June 30: Dragons 45, Chicago 55

Despite jumping out to a 31-6 lead and taking a 37-20 lead into halftime, the Dragons lost to the Chicago Rush, 55-45, before more than 13,000 fans in Chicago and a national audience watching on TNN.

New York struck first with a 46-yard field goal conversion from Clay Rush. From two yards away, New York retook the lead as OS Steve Papin ran the ball in to put the Dragons up by four, 10-6. In his return to Chicago DS Chris Clopton brought down the first interception of his career as he sent the offense back onto the field. QB Aaron Garcia found a wide-open Furrey in the endzone to open the second quarter.

Donvetis Franklin would then fall on top of a Chicago fumble, which set up a Mike Furrey score and a 24-6 lead. After Rodney Filer blitzed and blocked David Cool's kick, Garcia then hit Todd Doxson to increase the lead to 25. The Dragons added another touchdown as the half ended with New York leading by 18 points, 38-20.

The Dragons would fall apart in the second half as QB Billy Dicken found FB James Baron for a two-yard score. Aaron Garcia then threw an interception setting up another Rush score shrinking the lead to four points. Garcia threw his third interception in four throws as Chicago put themselves in position to re-gain a lead that was once thought as insurmountable. A Dicken pass to Cornelius Bonner put the Rush in the lead by two points. The Dragons' offense regained their composure as Garcia found Doxzon for the score as New York put themselves up by five. The third quarter came to a close with the Dragons on top of the Rush, 45-40.

After the Rush regained the lead 47-45, kicker Clay Rush missed a 32-yard field goal. As Chicago was driving down the field, Shea Showers intercepted his third pass of the season. However, in the following play, Aaron Garcia threw his fourth interception of the game. The Rush scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive ran a fake for a two-point conversion and put the game away with a ten-point lead, 55-45. The Dragons had the ball down ten with one minute remaining, but were able to put together a drive. Game Preview:

Coming off their first win of the season the 1-6 New York Dragons face the 3-4 Chicago Rush at the Allstate Arena with the game being televised nationally on NBC. Last season in Chicago, the Dragons blew a 37-20 halftime lead and lost 55-45. With 102 yards passing and three touchdowns thrown Dragons QB Aaron Garcia will hit 25,000 yards and 500 touchdowns for his career. The IFS:...

If the DRAGONS defeat the Rush, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 2-6 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a two-game winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 2-2 road record.
*Give the Dragons a 1-1 record all-time vs. Chicago.

Last Week:

The Aaron Garcia and Mike Furrey connection led the Dragons to their first victory of the season, 65-57. Todd Shell's defense stood strong in overtime on a day which saw Garcia throw for 389 yards and 9 touchdowns. Mike Furrey also had a career day with 16 receptions for 229 yards and six touchdowns.

With the Dragons up 12-6 in the closing moments of the first quarter, Dragons' DS Donvetis Franklin continued his solid play in the backfield and intercepted Detroit's Andy Kelly. The pass was intended for WR Jason Kaiser, however Franklin used his speed to get a hand on the ball. New York struck quickly with Garcia finding Furrey for a 21-yard touchdown pass as they jumped out to a 20-6 lead.

Early in the second quarter the tide turned and the Fury tied the game as Detroit narrowed the gap by a score of 20-13 when DL Jon McCall sacked Garcia in the end zone. The All-Arena QB lost his grip on the pigskin and Marcus Nash recovered the ball for the Fury and Detroit went on to tie the game at 20-20.

New York was guilty of two crucial turnovers later in the second quarter. Garcia, who coming into the game had only thrown two interceptions, was intercepted twice in Detroit territory. The Fury was able to open up a 36-28 lead by outscoring the Dragons 23-8 to end the half.

The Dragons responded with their best quarter of the season. Todd Shell's defense came up with two defensive stops and held Detroit scoreless in the third. New York retook the lead via the Garcia's arm and Furrey's hands, outscoring the Fury 14-0 in the quarter.

It was a back-and-forth battle in the fourth quarter as Garcia and Kelly matched touchdown pass for touchdown pass. Pete Elezovic misfired on a 44-yard field goal attempt for the Dragons. Detroit then simply ran the clock out with an incomplete pass into the stands as the game went into overtime.

The Dragons received the ball first in overtime and scored quickly. The Garcia-Furrey tandem connected once again, this time on a 34-yard pass to put New York up by six. Shell then decided to go for a two-point conversion and it worked. The Dragons defense then forced the Detroit to go four-and-out as they went on to their first victory of the 2003 season. Upcoming Schedule:

The Dragons return home for their first-ever meeting with the John Elway owned Colorado Crush. The Dragons will be in search of their first home win of the season as well.

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 1-6 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 with K Pete Elezovic moving to number 1.

Dragons sign DS Corey Johnson. Release DS Kory Blackwell:

On March 14th, the New York Dragons signed five-year Arena Football veteran DS Corey Johnson and also announced released DS Kory Blackwell.

In five AFL seasons, the 5-9, 188-pound defense specialist Johnson has recorded 27 interceptions and 43 break-ups. He has also recorded 69 kick-returns for 1,588 yards and six touchdowns. In 2002, he led the Buffalo Destroyers in tackles with 70 while breaking the team record for interceptions in a season with seven.

"We are excited to have Corey join the Dragons. We have been looking to add experience with our defensive backs and he, along with Carlos James, brings that. We hope their influence helps to make Donvetis Franklin one of the best defensive specialists in this League," said Dragons Head Coach Todd Shell.

As a rookie in 1998, the Georgia alum Johnson led the AFL with 83 tackles and 11 interceptions playing for the Nashville Kats and was named to the All-Arena and All-Rookie teams. He was a three-year starter at free safety for the University of Georgia (1993-96) where he finished his career with 306 total tackles and nine interceptions. He was an All-SEC selection as a senior, leading the Bulldogs with four interceptions and finishing third on the team with 89 tackles.

"I am very happy to be joining the Dragons. I hope my experience and veteran leadership playing defense in the AFL will help get us off the field more during the game. I am looking forward to playing with Aaron Garcia instead of trying to figure out how to spot him," said the 29-year old Johnson. Aaron Garcia Headed for Two Big Milestones: 2001 AFL Offensive Player of the Year QB Aaron Garcia is just 102-yards shy of 25,000 yards for his career. He would become only the second player in AFL history to reach that mark. Detroit QB Andy Kelly hit 25,000 earlier this season. With three touchdown passes, Garcia will also become the second QB after Andy Kelly to throw for 500 AFL TD's. Kelly reached 500 last Sunday vs. the New York Dragons.

Mike Furrey Named AFL Offensive Player of the Week Following Week 7 Win in Detroit: Mike Furrey (6-0, 185, Northern Iowa), in his second AFL season, hauled in an AFL season-high 15 receptions for 229 yards, six touchdowns and 288 all-purpose yards, while leading the Dragons to a 65-57 overtime win against the Detroit Fury (3-4) on Sunday. His 15 receptions also tied a franchise record held by Mike Horacek. The former Panther currently leads the AFL in scoring (156), receiving touchdowns (25), receptions (64) and receiving yards (989). This marks the third time Furrey has earned an AFL weekly honor.

Furrey's Ironman of the Game and Game MVP's Perfomances of 2003: 2002 All-Ironman Team member OS Mike Furrey picked up AFL Offensive Player of the Week and Game MVP honors after recording 15-catches for 229-receiving yards and six touchdown receptions on March 16th at Detroit in a 65-57 overtime win in which Furrey caught the winning-touchdown in OT. Furrey was named Ironman of the Game after recording seven-catches for 97-yards and two touchdowns vs. the Las Vegas Gladiators in a Week 4 loss at the Nassau Coliseum.

Furrey earned the honor in Week 1 at Dallas following a seven-catch, 125 receiving yards, two touchdown and one interception performance vs. the Desperados in a losing effort.

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


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