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New York Dragons game notes

February 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts

Arizona Rattlers (1-3) at New York Dragons (2-1)
Date: Sunday • February 27, 2005
Kickoff: 3:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,985)
Officials: Referee: Bill Athan, Umpire: Tim Morris, Head Linesman: Tim Podraza, Line Judge: Tom Symonette, Back Judge: Greg Wilson
TV: NBC – Alan Bestwick (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Otis Livingston (sideline)
Radio: 1560 Radio Disney WQEW – Peter Schwartz (play-by-play) and Wayne Morris (analyst)
Series Record: Arizona leads 6 games to 4
Series Streak: Arizona +1
Last Regular Season Meeting:
Arizon Rattlers 53, New York Dragons 41
American West Arena • Phoenix, AZ
February 29, 2004
Coaches:
Arizona • Todd Shell (All-Time: 48-43)
New York • Weylan Harding (All-Time: 2-1)

DRAGONS 2005 SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT TIME RESULT
January 26-28 BYE --- ---
February 6 DALLAS 1:00 W 55-45
February 11 at Las Vegas 10:00 L 41-37
February 19 NASHVILLE 7:00 W 62-49
February 27 ARIZONA 3:00
March 6 at Philadelphia 12:00
March 12 GEORGIA 7:00
March 19 at Austin 4:00
March 26 at Columbus 7:00
April 2 CHICAGO 7:00
April 10 at Los Angeles 3:00
April 15 at Orlando 7:30
April 24 PHILADELPHIA 1:00
April 29 at Dallas 8:30
May 7 COLUMBUS 7:00
May 15 at Tampa Bay 1:00
May 21 COLORADO 7:00

NATIONAL EASTERN STANDINGS

TEAM W - L PCT HOME AWAY DIV CONF
1. DAL 3-1 .750 3-0 0-1 1-1 2-1
2. NYD 2-1 .667 2-0 0-1 1-0 1-0
3. PHI 2-2 .500 1-0 1-2 0-0 1-1
4. CMB 1-2 .333 1-1 0-1 0-1 0-1

Game Preview

The Dragons will welcome in some old friends this week when former head coach Todd Shell brings his Arizona Rattlers into town. Shell resigned as the head coach of the Dragons this past summer to take the position in Arizona so he could be closer to his family. Including two of his assistants, Shell has nine former Dragons on his team.

Last Regular Season Meeting Recap

The Dragons lost a disappointing contest in Arizona last season. After taking the lead into halftime, the Dragons could not hold off a fourth quarter surge by the Rattlers. QB Aaron Garcia was injured late in the game and the Dragons fell to Arizona 53-41.

dragons/Arizona Rattlers all-time

DATE H/A SCORE W/L
June 10, 1995 A 62-54 W
August 13, 1995* A 56-52 W
August 25, 1997** A 55-35 L
May 3, 1998 H 71-54 L
May 9, 1999 A 58-39 L
April 15, 2000 A 56-48 L
July 22, 2000 H 58-50 L
June 3, 2001 H 59-41 W
July 14, 2001 A 62-55 W
February 29, 2004 A 53-41 L

* Denotes playoff game ** Denotes ArenaBowl XI

Last Week

The Dragons improved their 2005 record to 2-1 overall and 2-0 at home with a 62-49 victory over the Nashville Kats on Saturday night. OS Kevin Swayne earned Offensive Player of the Game honors by recording five touchdown receptions, including his 100th in the AFL. QB Aaron Garcia looked like his old self with a seven touchdown performance. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 232 yards.

Next Week

The Dragons get back on the road after a two-game homestand to take on division rival Philadelphia Soul. Last season the two squads split the season series at one game apiece with the Dragons winning the season finale in Week 17. The Soul enter Week Five with 2-2 record.

The IF's

If the Dragons defeat Arizona it would give...

· The Dragons a 3-1 record to start the season.
· The Dragons a 3-0 home record at the Nassau Coliseum for the first time.
· The Dragons their 86th regular season victory.
· The team their 42nd victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
· QB Aaron Garcia his 54th victory with the team.
· The Dragons an all-time record of 5-6 versus the Arizona Rattlers.

Dragons 2005 Record When/Versus

At the Home 2-0 Opponents Score First 1-0
On the Road 0-1 Ahead at Half 2-1
Friday 0-1 Tied at Half 0-0
Saturday 1-0 Behind at Half 0-0
Sunday 1-0 Ahead after 3 Quarters 2-1
February 2-1 Tied after 3 Quarters 0-0
March 0-0 Behind after 3 Quarters 0-0
April 0-0 Outcome 7 pts or less 0-1
May 0-0 Outcome 3 pts or less 0-0
National Conference 1-0 Outcome 7 pts or more 2-1
Eastern Division 1-0 Outcome 3 pts or more 0-0
Southern Division 0-0 Overtime 0-0
American Conference 1-1 Plus turnover margin 2-1
Central Division 1-0 Even turnover Margin 0-0
Western Division 0-1 Minus Turnover Margin 0-0
Score First 1-1





Dragons' Practice Schedule

Wednesday (2/23): 10:30-12:30 at Practice Facility
Thursday (2/24): 10:30-12:30 at Practice Facility
Friday (2/25): 10:30-12:30 at Practice Facility
Saturday (2/26): Walk Though 10:00-11:00 at Practice Facility

To confirm the Dragons' practice schedule or to receive directions, please contact Corey Witt at 516-501-6841.

Notes From the Dragons' Lair

ARIZONA CONNECTIONS:
With the move of head coach Todd Shell to Arizona in the off-season, the Rattlers and Dragons have many friends across enemy lines. The first thing Shell did in Arizona was bring over assistants Derrick Chachere and Lary Kuharich. Former Dragons on the Rattlers include: DS Jerald Brown (Practice Squad), OL/DL Anthony Hutch (Injured Reserve), OL/DL Kelvin Ingram, DS Terrance Joseph, OL/DL Jerry Sharp and FB/LB Kerry Taylor. Former Rattlers who are now a member of the Dragons include: QB Aaron Garcia, OL/DL Stacey Evans and OL/DL Steve Scifres.

Coaching Coaches:
Talk about coming full circle. Dragons' offensive coordinator Tony Kimbrough was once the starting quarterback for Rattlers' head coach Todd Shell when he was boss for the San Jose SaberCats. Kimbrough was under center in San Jose for the team's first two seasons in the AFL from 1995 to 1996. Now the two will be on the field at the same time when Kimbrough's offense faces Shell's defense.

SWAYNE'S BIG DEBUT
OS Kevin Swayne missed the Dragons first two games with a stint on the Injured Reserve. But when he made his season debut this past weekend, Swayne was simply sensational. Versus Nashville in a Saturday night affair, Swayne hauled in nine receptions for 115 yards and a week-high five touchdowns. On his fifth touchdown, Swayne recorded his 100th AFL touchdown in his career. He was a unanimous choice for Offensive Player of the Game honors and was a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Week before that honor was awarded to a quarterback for the fourth consecutive week.

GARCIA GETS BACK ON TRACK
After only throwing two touchdowns in Week Three, QB Aaron Garcia got back on track with a seven touchdown performance in Week Four. Normally that would give him Offensive Player of the Game honors, but he did hookup with OS Kevin Swayne for five scores. Regardless, the Dragons are thrilled to see Garcia light up the scoreboard again.

GARCIA PASSES BONNER, SECOND IN ALL-TIME PASSING YARDS:
Dragons QB Aaron Garcia enters his 11th AFL season as one of the League's top passers. He remains first all-time with 649 touchdowns and has moved ahead of Arizona Rattlers' QB Sherdrick Bonner to second in all-time passing yards with 31,212. Garcia remains fourth all-time with 2,422 completions.
The All-Arena QB is now only one touchdown away from being the first person to each the 650 plateau. Last year on April 18 vs. the Colorado Crush, Garcia became the first professional football player to throw for 600 career touchdowns.

AARON GARCIA ALL-TIME RANKINGS:
Rank Touchdowns Yardage Completions
1st Aaron Garcia649 Andy Kelly33,321 Andy Kelly2,985
2nd Andy Kelly647 Aaron Garcia31,212 Sherdrick Bonner 2,477
3rd Sherdrick Bonner 618 Sherdrick Bonner 30,820 Clint Dolezel2,478
4th Clint Dolezel589 Clint Dolezel 29,633 Aaron Garcia2,422

TOUCHDOWN MACHINE:
Just because QB Aaron Garcia is getting older, doesn't mean he's slowing down. Going back to the 2004 season, Garcia has thrown the second highest amount of the touchdowns in the AFL with 105. He trails only Philadelphia Soul QB Tony Graziani who has 126 over the past two seasons.

Player Touchdown Touchdown %
Tony Graziani 126 19.7
Aaron Garcia 105 19.1
Clint Dolezel 100 15.6
Andy Kelly 100 13.1
John Kaleo 99 14.3


DRAGONS TAKE, BUT DON'T GIVE
The Dragons' offense hasn't turned the ball over much this season and the defense has forced six turnovers, all interceptions. That makes for a fire breathin' combination in terms of the giveaway-takeaway differential. Entering Week Five, the Dragons are tied for second in the league with a plus-four differential, 6 to 2. The team's six interceptions is the second most in the league.

ANGEL IN THE BACKFIELD:
DS Chris Angel isn't letting too many receivers get past him in the backfield. The second year veteran is currently ninth in the league with 23.5 tackles, 21 of which were solo.

COLISEUM MADNESS:
For the second consecutive season the Dragons set a new single-game franchise attendance record. The organization started off the 2005 season with a packed house of 14,925, which is the complete Arena Football capacity for the Nassau Coliseum. Through two home games, the Dragons attendance figure for this season is 25,703.

BILLY THE KID:
Rookie DS Billy Parker is certainly making waves throughout the AFL. In his first two AFL games, Parker recorded three interceptions and was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game in both contests. Through Week Four, the former William & Mary standout is currently tied for first in AFL with three interceptions and has recorded 18.0 tackles.

STANDING TALL:
At 5 foot 6 inches tall, OS Markeith Cooper holds the distinction of being the shortest athlete in professional football. Quick on his feet, Cooper's first position was halfback. However, he switched to wide receiver while in his junior season in college.

ARENA-BRED COACHES:
The Dragons are one of two teams in the league this season to have their entire coaching staff comprised of former AFL players. They share the distinction with the Philadelphia Soul. In total, the Dragons coaching staff has a combined 22 years of AFL playing experience and another combined 14-plus years as coaches.

LIVING YOUNG:
In the off-season the Dragons hired a defensive-minded head coach, who also happens to be the youngest in professional football. Weylan Harding enters the 2005 season at 33 years old, 23 months and four days younger than the second-youngest head coach – New Orleans's Mike Neu. However, Harding does not hold the distinction of being the youngest coach in league history. That honor goes to Kevin Guy of the 2000 New Jersey Red Dogs. Guy was 27 years old.

TEAM COACH DOB AGE
NYD Harding 1/5/1972 33
NOV Neu 12/9/1970 34
LAA Hodgkiss 10/23/1970 34
GRR McEwen 4/28/1968 36
ORL Gruden 3/4/1967 37

VILMA TV:
As part of a new partnership between the network and the AFL, the Dragons will be on Fox Sports Net this season. The remaining games are

Bob Wischusen will call the play-by-play for the majority of the games as he did in 2002. This year he will be joined by the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year for 2004, New York Jets LB Jonathan Vilma.

ORIGINAL DRAGONS:
FB/LB Chin Achebe and QB Aaron Garcia are New York Dragons thick and thin. The duo are the only two that have played with the team for each of its first five seasons on Long Island. Both Achebe and Garcia made the move when the Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York prior to the 2001 season.
Achebe has spent each of his six AFL seasons with the franchise as he made his league debut as a Barnstormer in 2000. Garcia was traded to Iowa from New Jersey on June 2, 1998 for WR/DB Chris Spencer and OL/DL John Dixon. This is Garcia's 11th AFL season and eighth with the franchise.
OS Kevin Swayne has been the property of the Dragons for all five seasons, however he spent two seasons on the exempt list from 2002-2004. After a successful 2001 campaign, he was signed by the NFL's New York Jets and stayed there for three seasons. He returned to the Dragons mid-way through the 2004 season. Swayne also suited up for the Barnstormers from 1998-1999.

WR/LB Mike Horacek is the only other player to have played for both the Barnstormers and the Dragons. From 1997 to 2000, Horacek split time as a WR/DB and an OS with Iowa. He was the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, his last with the team until he was selected in 2004 Dispersal Draft. The 2005 season will be his first with the Dragons, but fifth with the franchise.

Players to Watch

THREE FIRE BREATHIN' DRAGONS:
QB Aaron Garcia: One of the most prolific passers in the history of the AFL always gives his team a chance to win. He bounced back in Week Four versus Nashville with a stellar seven touchdown performance. He'll be eager to keep it up when he faces his former head coach and team, Todd Shell and the Arizona Rattlers, respectively.

OS Kevin Swayne: Coming off a two-week stint on the Injured Reserve list, Swayne lit up the scoreboard with five touchdowns in his season debut. Swayne and Garcia found the chemistry they had in their record breaking 2001 season, which should make opposing defense around the AFL shake in their cleats.

DS Billy Parker: Parker might be an AFL rookie, but he's playing like one of the top defensive specialists in the league. Parker has been a bright spot in the Dragons defense with a league-leading three interceptions.

Inside the Headset

Every Monday, Dragons head coach Weylan Harding lets the fans get inside his head set in an open question and answer forum. Here is a summary of last Monday's journal.

I notice you're always out there with headsets on. Why do you wear them? Who are you talking to?

Harding: The whole coaching staff wears them so we do not have to yell at each other. We are always communicating so that we're on the same page whether it be about a particular play or personnel decisions.

It seems like there have been a lot of delay of game penalties around the league for spiking the ball into the stands. What's your position on this?

Harding: I believe it's apart of the game to celebrate within reason. But I am strongly against my team taking those types of penalties.

How big of a lift is it to have OS Kevin Swayne back in the fold? Do you feel your offense is unstoppable if you eliminate the mental mistakes?

Harding: It's a great boost to have him back. This was part of the vision when the team was being put together. I believe we have a greater chance at success as a team if we eliminate the mental mistakes in all aspects of the game.

For a full length copy of Inside the Headset, please contact Corey Witt or see a Dragons Media Relations Assistant.

Game Award Winners

Week 1:
Team did not play
Week 2:
Offensive POG: WR/LB Mike Horacek
US Army Ironman: WR/LB Mike Horacek
ADT Defensive POG: DS Billy Parker
Week 3:
ADT Defensive POG: DS Billy Parker
Week 4:
Offensive POG: OS Kevin Swayne
US Army Ironman: FB/LB Josh White
ADT Defensive POG: WR/LB Mike Horacek

Dragons Transactions:

2/22/05: Signed OL/DL Chad Pegues. Released OL/DL Will Burnett.
2/17/05: Activated OS Kevin Swayne from the injured reserve list. Placed WR/DB DaShane Dennis on the injured reserve list.
2/16/05: Signed WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson. Placed FB/LB Chin Achebe on the injured reserve list.
2/8/05: Signed WR/DB Chuck Wesley to the practice squad.
2/05/05: Placed OS Kevin Swayne on the injured reserve list.
2/01/05: Signed OL/DL Ufuoma Pela to the practice squad.
1/31/05: Signed WR/LB Latrez Harrison to the practice squad.
1/28/05: Signed QB Ronnie Gordon to the practice squad.
1/27/05: Waived FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms from the practice squad.
1/26/05: Signed WR/DB Yuichi Watanabe to the international practice squad.
1/25/05: Awarded FB/LB Jamaal Cherry off waivers. Placed OL/DL Clyde Sanders on the injured reserve list. Signed FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms to the practice squad.
1/24/05: Placed WR/DB Lamont Webb on the injured reserve list.
1/23/05: Waived DS Jerald Brown.
1/22/05: Waived OL/DL Andre Arnold, OL/DL David Ashkinaz, QB Kane Claunch, WR/DB Scott Cloman, DS Nate Coggins, QB Ronnie Gordon, WR/LB Latrez Harrison, OL/DL Kerry Linnear, OL/DL John McDermott, FB/LB Chris McIver and OL/DL Charles Missant.
1/21/05: Signed OL/DL Kerry Linnear, OL/DL Steve Scifres and WR/DB Lamont Webb.
1/20/05: Waived WR/DB Kenny Johnson and OL/DL Ufuoma Pela.
1/19/05: Signed WR/DB Kenny Johnson. Waived FB/LB Laurence Nolen.
1/18/05: Signed WR/DB Mutsumi Takahashi to the international practice squad.
1/13/05: Signed QB Ronnie Gordon, OL/DL Joe Laudano and FB/LB Chris McIver.
1/12/05: Signed OL/DL Charles Missant.
1/11/05: Signed OS Markeith Cooper. Waived OL/DL Jerry Turner.
1/09/05: Waived DS John Barnes, FB/LB Rashon Burns and FB/LB Derric Coackley.
1/05/05: Signed WR/DB Corey Johnson.
1/04/05: Placed WR/DB Lincoln Dupree and OL/DL Eric England on the refused-to-report list.

MILESTONES WITHIN REACH

Kevin Clemens 3 rushing yards shy of 100 for his career
Markeith Cooper 24 receiving yards shy of 2,000 for his career
Stacey Evans 5.5 tackles shy of 100.0 for his career
Aaron Garcia 1 touchdown pass shy of 650 for his career
Aaron Garcia 10 total touchdowns shy of 700 for his career
Mike Horacek 9 receiving touchdowns shy of 150 for his career
Mike Horacek 7 total touchdowns shy of 150 for his career
Jermaine Miles 5.0 tackles shy of 50.0 for his career

MILESTONES REACHED in 2005

Weylan Harding Recorded his first win as a head coach vs. Dallas (2/6)
Stacey Evans Played in his 60th AFL game vs. Dallas (2/6)
Corey Johnson Recorded his 250th career tackle vs. Dallas (2/6)
Billy Parker Played in his first AFL game vs. Dallas (2/6)
Billy Parker Recorded his first AFL interception vs. Dallas (2/6)
Joe Laudano Played in his first AFL game vs. Dallas (2/6)
Jamaal Cherry Played in his first AFL game at Las Vegas (2/11)
Kevin Swayne Recorded his 5,000 career receiving yard vs. Nashville (2/19)
Kevin Swayne Recorded his 100th AFL touchdown vs. Nashville (2/19)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 22, 2005


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