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New York Dragons Game Notes

April 10, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
New York Dragons (3-7) at Georgia Force (6-4)
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 PM
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,216)
Officials: Referee: Darrel Leftwich Umpire: Jeff Carr Head Linesman: Bill Ward Line Judge: Jim Hatfield Back Judge: Tony Lombardo
Radio: WLIE 540AM: Sid Rosenberg and Peter Schwartz
Series Record: This is the first-ever meeting between the franchises.
Last Meeting: N/A
Coaches: Georgia – Marty Lowe (11-8, 2nd year) Dragons - Todd Shell (32-28, 5th Year - 3-3, 1st year as Dragons coach)

Game Preview:

The Dragons look to bounce back after snapping their three-game winning streak when they face the Georgia Force at the Gwinnett Center.

The IFS:...

If the DRAGONS defeat the Force, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 4-7 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a three-game road winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 3-2 road record.
*Give the Dragons a 1-0 record all-time vs. the Force.

Last Week:

The New York Dragons fell just yards short of extending their winning streak to four games as they fell to their Eastern Division rivals, the Buffalo Destroyer 46-39. The Destroyers defense frustrated the red hot Dragons offense and limited them to just 39 points and 253 total yards. The Dragons fell to 3-7, while the Destroyers moved ahead of them in the standings, improving their record to 4-6.

"We should have played better," a very disappointed Head Coach Todd Shell said following the game. "We made too many mistakes on both offense and defense. We didn't put ourselves in a position to win the game. We can't come to the arena, play like that and expect to win."

The Dragons got out of the gates quickly as they stopped the Destroyers on their first offensive drive. New York was able to open up at 14-7 advantage before Buffalo was able to get into the game in the second quarter.

The Destroyers got rolling from the strong play of QB Chris Sanders, who was making his first AFL start. New York's offense was guilty of two costly turnovers, which gave Buffalo a chance to get back into the contest. At the end of the first half, the Dragons found themselves trailing by six points to a score of 26-20.

The third quarter didn't fair too much better for the men in black. Buffalo's defense frustrated QB Aaron Garcia and OS Mike Furrey with excellent pass coverage from their stingy defensive backs. The Dragons offense could not find the rhythm to get into a touchdown scoring groove. The Destroyers extended their lead by six, 39-27 at the end of the quarter.

New York would not go down without a fight. In the fourth quarter, the Dragons put themselves in position to either tie or win the game with Buffalo only up by a touchdown, 46-39. Their defense came up with another stop, this one with just under two minutes left to be played. Garcia took his offense down to the goal line, but could not find an open receiver as time expired.

Upcoming Schedule:

The Dragons return home for an important divisional tilt with the Detroit Fury at the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday April 19. The Dragons defeated the Fury in Detroit Week 7 65-57 in OT. The game was the Dragons first win of the season.

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 3-7 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 and Mike Furrey Named Co-Offensive Player of the Month for March

Dragons QB Aaron Garcia and OS Mike Furrey were awarded the Co-Offensive Players of the Month award for the month of March, the League announced this week. The AFL leading passer Aaron Garcia earned Co-Offensive Player of the Month by completing 134-of-185 (72.4-percent) for 1,682 yards, 40 touchdowns and three interceptions. Garcia averaged eight touchdowns in all five games and led the Dragons to a 3-2 record in the month of March. Garcia leads the League in pass completion percentage (69.1), passing yards (3,297) and passing touchdowns (74). This marks the first time Garcia has earned an AFL monthly honor.

Dragons OS Mike Furrey (6-0, 185, Northern Iowa), in his second AFL season, earned Co-Offensive Player of the Month by hauling in 69 receptions for 743 yards, 24 touchdowns and 146 points. The former Panther recorded two six-touchdown games (against Detroit and Chicago) and is the League leader in receptions (92), receiving yards (1,367), receiving touchdowns (38) and scoring (240). This marks the first time Furrey has earned an AFL monthly honor.

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 for Week 8 after leading the Dragons to victory by completing 28 of 38 passes for 339 yards and eight touchdowns in a 54-51 victory over the Chicago Rush on March 23. 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.

Garcia was named the Game MVP 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.

WR/LB Kerry Brown Released by Dragons

WR/LB Kerry Brown was been released from the New York Dragons on April 10. "Kerry was an effective offensive player, but we needed more from him on the defensive side of the ball," said Director of Player Personnel Rory Vacco. Brown leaves the Dragons having appeared in ten games catching 44 passes for 441 yards and eight touchdowns but also only recording 11 tackles.

K Mike Moser to replace injured Elezovic

The New York Dragons signed kicker Mike Moser to replace injured kicker Pete Elezovic. Elezovic, who suffered a hip pointer to his kicking leg during Sunday's loss to Buffalo, was placed on injured reserve. Moser was 4-18 on field goals and 23-32 on PAT's in seven games for the Buffalo Destroyers earlier in the season. In 2002, he played in seven games for the Af2's Louisville Fire connecting on one field goal and converting 22 of 28 PAT's.

Moser is a graduate of Taylor University (NAIA) where he broke nearly every school kicking record. He took care of both the place kicking and punting duties for the team. Moser scored 64 points his senior season nailing14 field goals. He led the team in scoring connecting on 13 of 17 field goals and 33 of 34 PAT's for 72 points his junior year. He holds the school record for most points kicked in a game with 12 vs. St. Ambrose and most points in a season with 72.

OL/DL Clyde Sanders Signed off Practice Squad: The Dragons signed OL/DL Clyde Sanders off the practice on April 10. The 6-2 305-pound rookie lineman from Iowa State joins former college teammates Chin Achebe, Damien Groce and Chris Anthony on the Dragons active roster.

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. 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 April 10, 2003


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