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New York Dragons game notes

March 7, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts

Georgia Force (5-1) at New York Dragons (4-1)
Date: Saturday ▪ March 12, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,985)
Officials: Referee: Wes Fritz, Umpire: Paul Frerking, Head Linesman: Bill Ward, Line Judge: Dave Chesney, Back Judge: James Cole
TV: FSNY: Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst) and Deb Kaufman (sideline)
Radio: 1050 ESPN Radio WEPN: Peter Schwartz (play-by-play) and Wayne Morris (analyst)
Series Record: Dragons lead 2 games to none
Series Streak: New York +2
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York Dragons 54, Georgia Force 28
Gwinnett Center ▪ Duluth, GA
February 8, 2004
Coaches:
New York ▪ Weylan Harding (All-Time: 4-1)
Doug Plank ▪ (All-Time: 5-1)

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 W 61-37
March 6 at Philadelphia 12:00 W 61-54
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. NYD 4-1 .800 3-0 1-1 2-0 2-0
2. DAL 4-2 .667 3-1 1-1 2-1 3-2
3. PHI 2-4 .333 1-2 1-2 0-2 1-3
4. CMB 1-1 .200 1-1 0-3 0-1 0-2

Game Preview

It will be a meeting of the AFL titans as the 4-1 Dragons return home for a Saturday night affair with the 5-1 Georgia Force. The Force are one of just two teams who possess a better record then the Dragons, however they played one more game.
Like the Dragons, Georgia has a rookie head coach in Doug Plank.

Last Regular Season Meeting Recap

Last year, the Dragons defeated the Force in the season opener 54-28 at Georgia. QB Aaron Garcia threw for five touchdowns and also ran in for a score in the victory while being named the Offensive Player of the Game. Current Dragon Markeith Cooper scored twice for the Force while the defense held Georgia to just one passing touchdown.

dragons/GEORGIA Force all-time

DATE H/A SCORE W/L
April 12, 3002 A 34-27 W
February 8, 2004 A 54-28 W

Last Week

The Dragons improved their 2005 record to 4-1 overall and notched their first road victory with a 61-54 win over division rival Philadelphia Soul on Sunday afternoon. QB Aaron Garcia threw for six touchdowns while Mike Horacek caught four scores while filling in at OS for the injured Kevin Swayne who left with a dislocated shoulder.

Next Week

The Dragons begin a two-game road swing as they travel to the Lone Star State to take on the Austin Wranglers. The two squads have never met in the Wranglers two years of existence.

The IF's

If the Dragons defeat Georgia it would give...

· The Dragons a 5-1 record to start the season.
· The Dragons a 4-0 home record to start a season for the third time (1996, 1999).
· The Dragons their 87th regular season victory.
· The team their 33rd victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
· QB Aaron Garcia his 43rd victory with the team.
· The Dragons an all-time record of 3-0 versus the Force.

Dragons 2005 Record When/Versus

At the Home 3-0 Opponents Score First 1-0
On the Road 1-1 Ahead at Half 4-1
Friday 0-1 Tied at Half 0-0
Saturday 1-0 Behind at Half 0-0
Sunday 3-0 Ahead after 3 Quarters 4-1
February 3-1 Tied after 3 Quarters 0-0
March 1-0 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 2-0 Outcome 7 pts or more 4-1
Eastern Division 2-0 Outcome 3 pts or more 0-0
Southern Division 0-0 Overtime 0-0
American Conference 2-1 Plus turnover margin 3-1
Central Division 1-0 Even turnover Margin 1-0
Western Division 1-1 Minus Turnover Margin 0-0
Score First 3-1

Dragons Practice Schedule

Tuesday (3/8): 11:30-1:30 at Nassau Coliseum
Wednesday (3/9): 10:30-12:30 at Nassau Coliseum
Thursday (3/10): 10:30-12:30 at Nassau Coliseum
Friday (3/11): 9:00-10:00 Walk Through at Nassau Coliseum

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

GEORGIA CONNECTIONS:
Dragons OS Markeith Cooper spent his first three seasons in the league with the Force, from 2002 to 2004. OL/DL Stacey Evans was Georgia's Linemen of the Year in 2004, his only season with the team. The Force has two former Dragons on their squad in WR/LB Todd Doxzon and QB Matt Nagy. Doxzon spent three seasons on Long Island from 2001 to 2003, while Nagy was around for two from 2002 to 2003. Nagy is currently the Georgia's starting QB.

RETURN ENGAGEMENT:
The Dragons special teams have been tops in the league when it comes to returning kicks. Through the first five games of the season, the Dragons have returned five for touchdowns. Last week against Philadelphia, WR/DB's Will Holder and Corey Johnson each returned one for a score. Holder now has three for the season, a league high, while OS Markeith Cooper and Johnson each have one. The Dragons as a team lead the league in this category.

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 March 6 vs. Georgia, March 26 at Columbus, April 2 vs. Chicago, April 10 vs. Los Angeles, April 29 at Dallas and May 21 vs. Colorado. 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 2004 Defensive Rookie of the, New York Jets LB Jonathan Vilma. The tandem will only broadcast the games in New York.

QUARTERBACKS GETTING BURNED:
The Dragons defense has been outstanding early on in 2005. They currently lead the league in team interceptions with 12. No other team has more than ten interceptions. All but one of the team's defensive turnovers have come from interceptions.

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 Seven, the Dragons are tied for the league lead with a plus-eight ratio, 13 to 5.

IRON MIKE HORACEK:
Following his three touchdown performance versus the Arizona Ratters in Week Five, Dragons WR/LB Mike Horacek was named the US Army Ironman of the Week. Offensively, Horacek recorded five receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns. However, his biggest contribution came on defense when he intercepted a fourth quarter pass from Rattlers' QB Sherdrick Bonner and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. The play sealed the win for the Dragons.

DEFENSE GETS IT DONE:
The Dragons defense tied an AFL record in their game versus the Arizona Rattlers by recording six interceptions. WR/DB Corey Johnson hauled in a pair in the first half while DS Chris Angel, WR/LB Mike Horacek, DS Billy Parker and FB/LB Josh White all added one a piece. The defense recorded eight defensive stops including a turnover on downs on the Rattlers' first drive of the game.

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 tied for ninth in the league with 34.0 tackles, 30 of which were solo.

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 Six, the former William & Mary standout is currently tied for first in AFL with four interceptions and has recorded 32.5 tackles, the most for any rookie and twelfth highest in the league.

COLISEUM MADNESS:
For the second consecutive season the Dragons set a new single-game franchise attendance record. The organization started off the 2005 season on February 6, 2005 with a packed house of 14,925, which is the complete Arena Football capacity for the Nassau Coliseum. Through three home games, the Dragons attendance figure for this season is 36,942.

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 661 touchdowns and has moved ahead of Arizona Rattlers' QB Sherdrick Bonner to second in all-time passing yards with 31,438. Garcia remains fourth all-time with 2,690 completions.
The All-Arena QB reached the 650 plateau vs. Arizona on February 27. 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 Garcia661 Andy Kelly33,909 Andy Kelly3,016
2nd Andy Kelly658 Aaron Garcia 31,438 Sherdrick Bonner 2,535
3rd Sherdrick Bonner 623 Sherdrick Bonner 31,343 Clint Dolezel2,478
4th Clint Dolezel589 Clint Dolezel 29,633 Aaron Garcia2,690

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 117. He trails only Philadelphia Soul QB Tony Graziani who has 136 over the past two seasons.

Player Touchdowns
Tony Graziani 136
Aaron Garcia 117
Andy Kelly 111
John Kaleo 107
Clint Dolezel 100

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

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.


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.

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. In the past three weeks, Garcia has thrown 19 touchdown passes. He became the second professional QB to reach the 650 touchdown plateau during the team's victory over the Arizona Rattlers.

OS Mike Horacek: Horacek is back at OS, the position he played for the last four seasons before coming to the Dragons. Anytime he's on the field, Horacek is thought of as a threat because he can score from anywhere on it. Last week he scored four touchdowns and was named the Offensive Player of the Game against Philadelphia. In Week Five, Horacek was honored as the Ironman of the Game.

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 four interceptions. He leads all rookies with 34.0 tackles.

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.

Coach, the kick return game this season is awesome! How are you guys doing it?

Harding: I have been blessed in two areas which contribute to our success. First, we have a stable of fine return men. Second, we have a couple of very good coaches in Jerome Brown and Chad Lindsey who are responsible for the blocking schemes.

Do you think that there will ever be an outdoor arena game played?

Harding: That is truly an interesting question. I believe the dimensions of the arena and field keeps our sport indoors. However, I think it would be an interesting prospect to have an actual outdoor game.

What do you expect out of Georgia this week?

Harding: Georgia is a very solid team who is enjoying great success due to some remarkable line play. The team is athletic and smart. I expect it to be an extremely physical game from the beginning to the very end. I suggest you bring a mouth piece because it may spill over the boards.

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
Week 5:
Offensive POG: OS Kevin Swayne
US Army Ironman: WR/LB Mike Horacek
ADT Defensive POG: WR/DB Corey Johnson
Week 6:
Offensive POG: OS Mike Horacek
ADT Defensive POG: Chris Angel

Weekly Award Winners

Week 5:
US Army Ironman: WR/LB Mike Horacek

Dragons Transactions:

3/7/05: Placed OS Kevin Swayne on the injured reserve list. Activated WR/DB Lamont Webb off the injured reserve list. Released WR/DB Lamont Webb.
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.
2/15/05: Announced DS Chuck Wesley was signed off the practice squad by Grand Rapids.
2/8/05: Signed DS 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

Chris Anthony 47 receiving yards shy of 1,500 for his career
Markeith Cooper 24 receiving yards shy of 2,000 for his career
Stacey Evans 4.5 tackles shy of 100.0 for his career
Aaron Garcia 10 total touchdowns shy of 700 for his career
Mike Horacek 7 receiving touchdowns shy of 150 for his career
Mike Horacek 10.5 tackles shy of 100.0 for his career
Corey Johnson 1 interception shy of 20 for his career
Jermaine Miles 2.5 tackles shy of 50.0 for his career
Kevin Swayne 43 receiving yards shy of 5,00 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)
Chris Angel Recorded his first career interception vs. Arizona (2/27)
Aaron Garcia Recorded his 650th passing touchdown of his career vs. Arizona (2/27)
Corey Johnson Recorded his 20th career interception vs. Arizona (2/27)
Josh White Recorded his first career interception vs. Arizona (2/27)
Kevin Clemens Rushed for his 100th career yard vs. Philadelphia (3/6)
Mike Horacek Recorded his 150th AFL touchdown vs. Philadelphia (3/6)
Josh White Rushed for his 100th career yard vs. Philadelphia (3/6)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 7, 2005


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