New York Dragons game notes
March 29, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons continue at home in Week Ten when the take on the Grand Rapids Rampage Saturday, April 1st, at 7:00 PM. This game is the second consecutive home game of a three game home stand for the Dragons. The Dragons have a current record of 5-4 this season and are 2-2 at home. Grand Rapids has a record of 3-6 this season with an 0-5 road record. This will be the ninth meeting between the two clubs and the Rampage leads the series 5-3 over the Dragons. The game will take place at the Nassau Coliseum.
LAST WEEK'S RECAP
Last Week the Dragons returned home and kicked off a three game home streak with a 54-48 win over Kansas City. The Dragons had a strong first half leading the Brigade 35-13 at the half however the Brigade dominated the second half, only trailing the Dragons by six points in the final score. The game marked Nick Browders first win as starting quarterback for the Dragons and brings the Dragons home record to 2-2 and season record to 5-4.
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons wrap up their three-game home stand in Week Eleven when they take on division rival, the Dallas Desperados Sunday April 9th, at 1:00 PM. Dallas currently leads the division with a 7-2 record making a win crucial for the Dragons in order to remain in the running for a fourth division title.
IF THE DRAGONS WIN, IT WOULD GIVE...
- The team a 6-4 record for the season and a 3-2 record at home.
- The Dragons their 99th regular season victory and their 105th of all-time.
- The team their 44th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a regular season and all-time record of 4-5 against the Rampage.
DRAGONS CONTINUE AT HOME
The Dragons continue at home this week to take on the Grand Rapids Rampage and will remain here for the next two weeks for their longest home streak of the season. The Dragons will look to improve their home record to 3-2 and their regular season record to 6-4 this week. In Week Eleven the Dragons will take on the Dallas Desperados for a division rivalry match-up.
DEFENDING THE EAST
The Dragons are currently 0-2 in the Division after their loss to Philadelphia in Week Three and Columbus in Week Six. The Dragons will face both teams again and have yet to face Dallas, the fourth division rival currently in first place in the division. Last season, the Dragons won the Eastern Division for the third consecutive season (2003-2005). The Dragons swept all of their Eastern foes (Columbus, Dallas and Philadelphia) with a perfect 6-0 record in divisional play.
ESTRADA COMES BACK STRONG
WR/DB Angel Estrada was activated back onto the active roster in Week Nine after spending a month on the Injured Reserved with a shoulder injury. In his return, Estrada was named defensive player of the game after recording 2.5 tackles and one interception for a gain of 18 yards. On offense, Estrada also recorded one reception for six yards.
HORACEK LEADS THE OFFENSE
WR/LB Mike Horacek was named offensive player of the game in Week Nine vs. Kansas City. He recorded 14 receptions for 174 yards and four touchdowns. This is the fourth time this season that Horacek has recorded over 100 yards.
WOOD OUT FOR THE SEASON
In Week Seven vs. the Austin Wranglers, quarterback Juston Wood suffered a dislocated knee cap in the first quarter, the second Dragons quarterback to be injured within a two week period following Garcia's injury in Week Five. Wood underwent successful surgery last Thursday and will be out for the rest of the season.
GARCIA OUT FOR THE SEASON
In Week Five versus the Orlando Predators, QB Aaron Garcia suffered a fractured tibia in the third quarter. He underwent successful surgery and will be out for the season.
OBERT HOLDS NEW DRAGONS RECORD
After Week Eight vs. Tampa Bay, Obert now holds a new Dragons record making 29 consecutive PAT kicks before ending his streak in Week Eight vs. Tampa Bay. In the league he is in the top 7 of all kickers in the last 3 seasons for most consecutive PAT kicks.
BROWDER CONTINUES AS STARTING QUARTERBACK
After Wood's injury in the first quarter of Week Seven, quarterback Nick Browder subbed in with the Dragons trailing 14-7. Browder completed 21 of 39 passes for 222 yards and five touchdowns and led the Dragons to a 59-56 victory over the Austin Wranglers. Browder will be continuing as starting quarterback for the season.
BACKGROUND ON BROWDER
Browder returned to the Rampage in 2005 after a season with the expansion Philadelphia Soul, in which he set career marks in every passing category. He previously played for the Rampage in 2001 and 2003 behind the team's all-time leading passer Clint Dolezel. In 2004 with the Soul, he went 3-6 as the starting QB and set career highs in completions (145), attempts (244), yards (1,685) and touchdowns (31). In 2003 he completed 8-of-13 for 120 yards with one passing score and three rushing scores. In 2002 he went through training camp with the Rampage. He signed to the Indiana Firebirds practice squad on May 20, then was picked up by the Detroit Fury and had his best games when he tossed five scores and ran in another with 299 yards against the Rampage and was named Game MVP. He also ran in a 16-yard score. In 2001 he did not record any stats backing up Clint Dolezel, but saw action in six games on defense, registering 2.5 tackles. In the playoffs, he completed 3-of-5 passes for 26 yards vs. Chicago and rushed for a touchdown. In 2000 Browder played in five games with Buffalo where he totaled 122 yards and threw one touchdown along with one fumble recovery. In 1999, he was the starting quarterback for the Indoor Football League champion Green Bay Bombers.
Browder spent his college career at Valparaiso and ranked as the school's all-time total offense leader. He received All-Conference honors in 1995 and 1996 and was elected as an All-American in 1996. He graduated with a degree in sports management and earned his master's in athletic administration from Valparaiso and lettered in basketball, baseball, football and track in high school.
DRAGONS AND BLAZE SET NEW AFL RECORD
Garcia and Germaine also greatly added to the 24-combined touchdown total, breaking the old record of 23 combined touchdowns in a game. The four remaining touchdowns were scored by Utah's Kevin Moffett on a net recovery with :03 left in the second quarter, Utah's Justin Skaggs on a one-yard run with 2:48 left in the third quarter, Dragons OS Kevin Swayne with a 54-yard kickoff return with 1:53 remaining in the third quarter, followed by FB/LB Bruce Blue scoring on a one-yard run with :00 left in the third. The previous record of 23 touchdowns was set on April 13, 2003 when Arizona (12) faced Los Angles (11) as well as on April 3, 2004 when Los Angeles (12) faced Austin (11).
GARCIA AN ALL-TIME GREAT
It was already known by most, but QB Aaron Garcia is now enshrined as one of the top-20 all-time great players in AFL history. During training camp, the league came out with their top-20 players from the first 20 years of the AFL. Garcia ranked 11th, one spot ahead of fellow former Iowa Barnstormer QB Kurt Warner. After Warner left the franchise, Garcia supplanted him as the franchise's star quarterback and the Dragons - or Barnstormers - have never looked back.
RETURNING DRAGONS
The Dragons have 11 players on their roster from their final 2005 roster. QB Aaron Garcia is the longest tenured Dragon at eight seasons. The complete list includes: WR/LB Chris Anthony, OL/DL Jamaal Cherry, DS DaShane Dennis, WR/DB Angel Estrada, OL/DL Stacy Evans, WR/LB Mike Horacek, WR/DB Will Holder, OL/DL Joe Laudano, OL/DL Marcus "Snowball" Owen, OL/DL Steve Scifres and OS Kevin Swayne along with Garcia.
DRAGONS WITH af2 EXPERIENCE
The Dragons have 10 players on their roster who have played in af2 at one point in their career. The list includes: WR/LB Chris Anthony, WR/LB Maurice Brown, OL/DL Jamaal Cherry, WR/DB DaShane Dennis, OL/DL Jon Hall, OL/DL Joe Laudano, FB/LB Richard McCleskey, K Jesse Obert, DS Dahnel Singfield, OL/DL Andrew Tippins, OL/DL Paul White and QB Juston Wood.
SITUATIONAL RECORDS
At Home 2-2 Tied At Half 1-0
On The Road 3-2 Behind At Half 1-3
Friday Games 2-1 Ahead After Three Quarters 3-1
Saturday Games 2-1 Tied After Three Quarters 1-0
February 3-2 Behind After Three Quarters 1-3
National Conference 3-2 Outcome 6 pts or Less 2-0
Eastern Division 0-2 Outcome 3 pts or Less 2-0
Southern Division 3-0 Outcome 7 pts or More 1-3
American Conference 2-1 Outcome 4 pts or More 0-0
Central Division 1-1 Overtime 0-0
Western Division 1-0 Plus Turnover Margin 4-0
Opponents Scored First 2-2 Even Turnover Margin 0-0
Ahead At Half 3-1 Minus Turnover Margin 1-4
INSIDE THE HEADSET:
Every week, Dragons head coach Weylan Harding lets the fans get inside his headset in an open question and answer forum. Here's this week's journal.
How's the Health of our Defense doing for this week? We've proven that we can put the points up but can we keep the opponent out and put pressure on their QB? WH: The healthof our defense is getting better. We have played better statistically in these last three games then we have for most of the year. We have still not had that classic performance that I am used to. The defense is getting better during the most crucial part of the season.
Why do you feel the Dragons dominated in the first half but not in the second? How do you improve on that and keep the momentum of the game alive?
WH: We came out with a chip on our shoulder in that first half. In the second half, we seemed to believe the game was already won for some reason. Teams that are not used to being front-runners react that way. We have to finish in those situations. In order to do this we have to shed the underdogs mentality. This is a good team with a chance to be a great one. The difference between being good and great is in the knowledge of knowing one thing. It doesn't just matter that you win but how you win.
After all of the injuries faced, how do you feel about the team only getting comfortable with each other at this point in the season?
WH: It gives me a great sense of optimism for our possibilities at this point. We are in the middle of a playoff hunt and are improving with each week. I believe once this team gets a true sense of itself we will be all right. We are coming together at the right time in the season.
2006 SCHEDULE
DATE TIME/SCORE OPPONENT
Sat, 1/28 L 57-28 vs. Nashville
Fri, 2/3 W 51-47 at Chicago
Sat, 2/11 W 84-81 at Utah
Sun, 2/19 L 75-59 at Philadelphia
Sun, 2/26 W 55-35 vs. Orlando
Fri, 3/3 L 65-54 vs. Columbus
Sun, 3/12 W 59-56 at Austin
Sat, 3/18 L 60-44 at Tampa Bay
Fri, 3/24 W 54-48 vs. Kansas City
Sat, 4/1 7:00 vs. Grand Rapids
Sun, 4/9 1:00 vs. Dallas
Fri, 4/14 7:00 at Columbus
Sat, 4/22 10:30 at Los Angeles
Sat, 4/29 7:00 vs. Philadelphia
Sat, 5/6 7:00 vs. Georgia
Sat, 5/13 8:00 at Dallas
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NY-BRIGADE CONNECTIONS:
Dragons QB Nick Browder played for the Rampage in 2003 and 2005 where he completed 43 of 72 passes for five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Dragons DS Mark Ricks played for the Rampage in 2003 and 2004 where he recorded 77.0 tackles, six interceptions for 33 yards, 7 returns for 77 yards and one reception for six yards.
Grand Rapids OL/DL Nate Bell played for the Dragons from 2001-2003 where he recorded 25.0 tackles.
Grand Rapids DS Chuck Wesley played for the Dragons in 2004 where he recorded 16.0 tackles and one interception.
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GARCIA FIRST IN TD'S, SECOND IN COMPLETIONS AND YARDS:
Although he's currently injured, here is where Dragons QB Aaron Garcia stacks up against other quarterbacks in the league. Garcia remains one of the league's top passers. He's first all-time with 757 touchdowns and is second in all-time passing yards with 36,074 and in completions with 3,062. His recent injury will prevent him from reaching 800 touchdowns this season.
The All-Arena QB became the first player to reach the 700-touchdown plateau last season on April 29 at Dallas.
LIVING YOUNG:
The Dragons are led by one of the great defensive coaches in the AFL and he also happens to be the youngest in professional football. Weylan Harding enters the 2006 season at 34 years old -- 14 months and 13 days younger than the second-youngest head coach - Los Angeles' Ed Hodgekiss. However, Harding does not hold the distinction of being the youngest young in league history. That honor goes to Kevin Guy of the 2000 New Jersey Red Dogs, who was 27 years old.
Team Coach DOB Age
NYD Harding 1/5/1972 34
LAA Hodgkiss 10/23/1970 35
PHI Munsey 8/19/68 37
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ARENA-BRED COACHES
The Dragons are the only team in the league to have their entire coaching staff comprised of former AFL players. In total, the Dragons' coaching staff has a combined 22 years of AFL playing experience and another combined 18-plus years as coaches.
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SWITCHING POSITIONS
DaShane Dennis and Jamaal Cherry have switched positions from 2005 and will now line up at DS and OL/DL, respectively. Bruce Blue began training camp as a lineman and has since converted to FB/LB. Although Cherry was listed at FB/LB last season, he played primarily as a defensive lineman in his rookie season.
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DRAGONS TO WATCH:
OL/DL Marcus "Snowball" Owen: An All-Ironman selection in 2005, Owen will once again anchor the offensive and defensive line of the Dragon. Linemen sometimes go unnoticed, but watch out for Owen's contributions on the offensive side. Owen was named Ironman of the Game in Week Nine vs. Kansas City.
OS Kevin Swayne: When he remains healthy, Swayne is one of the best receivers in the league. He's a big target for Garcia and one of his favorites, too. In Week One, Swayne caught three of the four touchdowns thrown by Garcia.
ORIGINAL DRAGONS
QB Aaron Garcia is a New York Dragon through thick and thin. He is the only player to be a part of the team for each of its first five seasons on Long Island. Garcia made the move when the Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York prior to the 2001 season. 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 12th AFL season and ninth with the franchise.
OS Kevin Swayne has been the property of the Dragons for all six 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 2006 season is his second with the Dragons, but sixth with the franchise.
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