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New York Dragons game notes

April 11, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


New York Dragons (6-5)
vs. Columbus Destroyers (5-6)

Date: Friday ▪ April 14, 2006
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nationwide Arena (17,171)

TV: SNY (Airs 4/16) with Peter Schwartz and Wayne Morris
Radio: WLIE 540 AM: play by play: Joe Buono, analyst: TBD

Regular Season Series Record: 8-5
Regular Season Series Streak: -1
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York 54, Columbus 65
Nassau Coliseum ▪ Uniondale, NY (11,985)

Coaches Record:
Dragons ▪ Weylan Harding (16-11, 2nd year)
Destroyers ▪ Doug Kay (20-30, 4th year)

Officials: Referee: Riley Johnson (20), Umpire: Rick Podraza (45), Head Linesman: Neil Brunner (56), Line Judge: Paul Engelberts (38), Back Judge: Bud McCleskey (43), Supervisor: Jim Lapetina

DRAGONS - COLUMBUS ALL-TIME
DATE H/A SCORE
June 12, 1999* H 49-42
April 22, 2000* A 56-35
April 27, 2001* H 70-58
June 8, 2001 A 58-51
April 28, 2002* H 69-54
June 8, 2002 A 40-35
April 6, 2003 H 46-39
May 11, 2003* A 49-30
March 20, 2004* H 62-41
April 10, 2004 A 65-55
March 26, 2005* A 56-55
May 7, 2005* H 56-44
March 3, 2006 H 65-54

*Denotes Dragons win

ABOUT THE GAME
The New York Dragons are back on the road after concluding a three- game homestand when they take on the Columbus Destroyers. This Week Twelve division match-up will be the second meeting between the two clubs this season and Columbus came out on top 65-54 when the teams met in Week Six. The Dragons (6-5) are currently ahead of the Destroyers (5-6) in the Division and have a 3-2 road record. This will be the 14th meeting between the two franchises and the Dragons lead the series 8-5.


LAST WEEK'S RECAP
In Week Eleven, the Dragons concluded their three-game homestand when they faced the Dallas Desperados for a division match-up. The Dragons were defeated 46-28 and Dallas had a 25-0 lead at the half. Although the Dragons outscored Dallas in the second half 28-21, it wasn't enough to come back for a victory. The loss brings the Dragons record to 6-5 and they will have their chance at a rematch in Week 16 when the Dragons head to Dallas.


NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons continue on the road in Week Thirteen when they head to Los Angeles to take on the Avengers. The game will be the fifth meeting between the teams and the Avengers lead the series 4-0.


DRAGONS' WEEK TWELVE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Tuesday (4/11): 12:15-2:15 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Wednesday (4/12): 12:15-2:15 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility

To confirm the Dragons' practice schedule/time or to receive directions, please contact Kerri Griesbeck at 516-501-6889.

IF THE DRAGONS WIN, IT WOULD GIVE...
- The team a 7-5 record for the season and a 4-2 road record.
- The Dragons their 100th regular season victory and their 106th 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 9-5 versus Columbus.

DRAGONS BACK ON THE ROAD
The Dragons head back on the road in Week Twelve to face the Columbus Destroyers in a division match-up. The win is crucial for the Dragons in order to have some pull in the division if a tie-breaking scenario arises for the playoffs. The Dragons are currently 0-3 in division games, losing to each division rival and Columbus is the first of the rematches. The Dragons will look to improve their road record to 4-2 and their season record to 7-5.


DEFENDING THE EAST
The Dragons are currently 0-3 in the Division after their loss to Philadelphia in Week Three and Columbus in Week Six and Dallas in Week Eleven. A victory this week vs. Columbus would mark the Dragons first division win of the 2006 season. 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.


BLUE RECEIVES AFL IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
In his rookie year and first week back from the injured reserve, FB/LB Bruce Blue was named Ironman of the Game and AFL Ironman of the week for his Week Ten performance vs. the Grand Rapids Rampage. In the game, he recorded 2.0 tackles including a sack for a safety, and added two rushes for 28 yards and two touchdowns.


ESTRADA CONTINUES STRONG
WR/DB Angel Estrada was activated onto the active roster in Week Nine after spending a month on the Injured Reserved with a shoulder injury. In his Week Nine return, Estrada was named defensive player of the game after recording 2.5 tackles and one interception for a gain of 18 yards. In Week Ten, Estrada was named offensive player of the game with six receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns, and one fumble recovery on offense.


HOLDER DOMINATES ON DEFENSE
In Week Ten vs. the Grand Rapids Rampage, DS Will Holder was named Defensive Player of the Game after recording 5.0 tackles and two interceptions for 23 yards. Holder was moved to DS in Week Seven vs. Austin after starting as a WR/DB this 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.


WOOD OUT FOR THE SEASON
In Week Seven vs. the Austin Wranglers, quarterback Juston Wood suffered a dislocated kneecap 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.

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 has continued as starting quarterback since.


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.

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.

What are your feelings on taking two out of three at home? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
WH: Though I am glad we came out on the positive end with a 2-1 record there is more to be done. We cannot lose ground in a tight divisional race. We need to separate ourselves so that we can make a playoff push. This race seems as if it will go down to the wire and every game counts.

Hey Coach. I saw that Will Holder got hurt? Do you have an update for us and will he play in Columbus? If not, what is your plan?
WH: We are still evaluating his situation. I am just relieved that he was not seriously injured and was able to walk away under his own power. We have alternative plans in the event he is unavailable. He will not play unless he is 100% healthy. We will not risk anyone's health.

First I'd like to say that despite the tough game, the Dragons played with heart. What goes through a coach's mind after a half like the first one and then after seeing their effort in the second half?
WH: This team will fight when their back is to the wall. It seems we respond to controversy as a source of motivation. We are like a boxer who has felt his way through the early rounds and has gotten behind. When the only way to win is by knockout, we began to let our hands fly with reckless abandon. We have to play with passion from the beginning. We will be motivated from start to finish from now on.

Columbus is another important division game. What did the team learn from playing them the first time this season? What will you focus on in order to get the victory this week?
WH: Columbus is a solid team as evidenced by some of the wins they have against good teams. We learned that we have to finish because any team is capable of coming back if not put away. Because of personnel changes these will be two entirely different teams facing each other this time around. Our focus is on consistent execution and living in the moment of each play.

How do you feel about getting back on the road? What will you be thinking knowing that this is a rematch opportunity versus Columbus and knowing you get to rematch Dallas as well?
WH: Getting on the road is not a huge concern because it is a business trip. We are a focused group. What are we thinking as far as a rematch? Getting even!

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 W 48-24 vs. Grand Rapids
Sun, 4/9 L 46-28 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-COLUMBUS CONNECTIONS:

Head Coach Weylan Harding coached for Buffalo and Columbus in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Dragons OL/DL Richard McCleskey played for the Destroyers in 2005 where he recorded 16.0 tackles, 10 rushes for 33 yards and one touchdown, and 3 receptions for 18 yards.

Dragons FB/LB Troy Pelshak played for the Destroyers in 2005 where he recorded 7.0 tackles.

Destroyers DS Donvetis Franklin played for the Dragons from 2002-2004 where he recorded 267.5 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 13 interceptions with one touchdown. He also recorded 62 returns for 1322 yards and one touchdown.

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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 injury in Week Five vs. Orlando 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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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.

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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.

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