New York Dragons Game Notes
March 27, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
Quick Facts:
Colorado Crush (1-7) at New York Dragons (2-6)
Date: Sunday, March 30, 2003
Kickoff: 3:00 PM
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,216)
Officials: Referee: Bill McCabe Umpire: Doug Wilson Head Linesman: Royce Cooley Line Judge: Gary Cavaletto Back Judge: Joe Duncan
Radio: WLIE 540AM: Sid Rosenberg and Peter Schwartz
Series Record: This is the first-ever meeting between the Dragons and the expansion Colorado Crush.
Last Meeting: N/A
Coaches:
Colorado â Bob Beers (1-7, 1st year) Dragons - Todd Shell (31-27, 5th Year - 2-2, 1st year as Dragons coach)
Game Preview:
The Dragons return home after a successful 2-0 trip to the Midwest, with wins over Detroit and Chicago. They look for their third win in a row when they take on the John Elway owned expansion Colorado Crush. The Dragons are also in search of their first home win of the season.
The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Crush, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 3-6 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a three-game winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 1-4 home record.
*Give the Dragons a 1-0 record all-time vs. Colorado.
Last Week:
New York 54 Chicago 51
Although the score might not reflect it, the Dragons won a defensive battle in Chicago. Todd Shell's defense once again showed much improvement and led the Dragons to their second victory of the 2003 season. A late Rush fumbled caused by Jermaine Miles and Rodney Filer sealed the 54-51 win.
It didn't take long for the Dragons to make a big play, except this week it started on defense. On only the second play of the game, Dragons DL Anthony Hutch striped Rush FB Bob McMillen on a rushing play as Chris Anthony recovered the loose ball for New York. Then on offense, Aaron Garcia found Anthony for an 18-yard score to quickly put the Dragons up 7-0.
After a slow start by Rush's offense, QB Billy Dicken matched touchdown pass for touchdown pass with Garcia. The Dragons' All-Arena QB joined the 500 career touchdown club early in the second quarter giving the Dragons a 21-10 lead when he hooked up with his favorite receiver, Mike Furrey. Garcia became just the second AFLer in history (after Andy Kelly) to hit the 500-TD mark.
The action got interesting in the closing seconds of the first half. Chicago was able to stop the hot Dragons offense near the goal line on a crucial fourth down with only 20 seconds remaining. New York's defense then held off Dickens and the Rush as former Dragons K Kenny Stucker could not connect on a 53-yard field goal attempt. The Dragons went into the half with a 28-24 advantage.
On the Dragons' second offensive drive of the third quarter, New York put themselves in a tight situation. On fourth and 12, Shell decided to go for it while deep in his own end. A Damien Groce reception was marked short of the first down and resulted in a crucial turnover on downs. The Dragons remained up by a score of 34-31.
But the Dragons did not back down. DS Donvetis Franklin continued his superb play and forced the Dragons' fourth defensive stop of the game. Franklin intercepted a Dickens pass intended for Antonio Chatman on the goal line to give the offense the ball back. Mike Furrey then caught his fifth touchdown to give the Dragons a 41-31 lead.
With New York holding a 41-37 advantage, Garcia threw a rare interception. Lindsay Fleshman ran the ball in from two yards out to give the Rush their first lead of the game, 41-44. Once again, the Garcia-Furrey combination gave New York the lead back and once again their defense held on for the victory.
Upcoming Schedule:
The Dragons remain at home for an important divisional match-up with the Buffalo Destroyers. The Dragons will look to defeat the Destroyers at the Coliseum for the third consecutive season. Last season, the Dragons defeated Buffalo 69-54 at the Coliseum.
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 2-6 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 Reaches Two Personal Milestones and Gains League Honor in Win Over Chicago Rush:
The Arena Football League named Dragons QB Aaron Garcia the Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Dragons (2-6) to their second straight victory by completing 28 of 38 passes for 339 yards and eight touchdowns in a 54-51 victory over the Chicago Rush (3-5) on Sunday. Along with the victory, Garcia reached two significant individual milestones when he recorded his 500th career touchdown pass and 25,000th career passing yard. He becomes only the second player, along with Detroit's Andy Kelly, in League history to reach those marks. Garcia has now tied a career-high with nine straight 300-yard passing games after throwing for his 35th career 300-yard game.
The 2001 AFL Offensive Player of the Year Garcia currently leads the AFL in touchdown passes (61), passing yards (2,736), and completion percentage (70.1). This marks the seventh time Garcia has earned an AFL weekly honor.
Garcia was named the Game MVP on Sunday in Chicago marking the second team this season he was given the award. Garcia was named Game MVP in Week 3 at Grand Rapids when he went 30-for-41 for 380 yards and seven touchdowns.
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 March 16. 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.
Dragons Acquire OL/DL Jerry Sharp. Re-sign QB Brent Petrus
The New York Dragons announced on March 26 that they acquired nine-year Arena Football veteran OL/DL Jerry Sharp from the Buffalo Destroyers in exchange for OL/DL Elliott Fortune. The 6-3 290 pound Sharp has appeared in six games with the Destroyers this season recording three-and-a-half tackles and two breakups.
"Sharp is a solid veteran Arena Football lineman that will give us a little more help getting to the quarterback. I am also hoping his experience in the League will help our young guys learn the game better," said Dragons Head Coach Todd Shell. "This move will make us a better team."
In nine Arena Football seasons, Sharp has recorded 86.5 tackles and nine-and-a-half sacks. Sharp has played for several AFL teams throughout his career including a three-year stint with the Orlando Predators. He has spent the last two seasons with the Buffalo Destroyers. The former Orangeman standout Sharp started all 12 games for Syracuse on the offensive line during his senior year helping them to a 10-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl victory.
In other Dragons news, the team announced that they have waived QB Walter Church and have re-signed former Dragons QB Brent Petrus.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 27, 2003
- AFL Must-See Matchups - AFL I
- Avenger FB/LB Kevin Clemens to sign with Philadelphia Eagles - Los Angeles Avengers
- Buffalo Loses Starting QB Loots For The Season - Buffalo Destroyers
- Rush Activates Gispert, Signs Dillard - Chicago Rush
- 'Birds Return to the Road this Weekend - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- AFL Quick Hitters - AFL I
- New York Dragons Game Notes - New York Dragons
- Rampage Return Home to Face Division Rival Chicago - Grand Rapids Rampage
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