New York Dragons game notes
February 27, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
New York Dragons (0-0)
vs. Dallas Desperados (0-0)
Date: Sunday ▪ March 4, 2007
Kickoff: 12:30 PM (EST)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,985)
TV: ABC: (play-by-play) Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic (analyst)
Radio: ESPN 1050 AM (same as above)
Regular Season Series Record: (3-5)
Regular Season Series Streak: -2
Last Regular Season Meeting: May12th, 2006
New York 38, Dallas 82
American Airlines Center ▪ Dallas, TX
Coaches All-Time Record:
Dragons ▪ Weylan Harding (20-14, 3rd year)
Dallas ▪ Will McClay (29-22-1, 4th year)
Officials: Referee: Bill McCabe, Umpire: Paul Frerking, Head Linesman: Kelly Saalfeld, Line Judge: Dirk Bell, Back Judge: Jimmy Buchanan, Supervisor: Bob Mantooth.
DRAGONS - DALLAS ALL-TIME
DATE H/A SCORE
May 11, 2002 H 61-72
February 2, 2003 A 56-60
February 22, 2004 H 44-56
May 1, 2004* A 44-20
February 6, 2005* H 55-45
April 29, 2005* A 65-57
April 9, 2006 H 28-46
May 12, 2006 A 82-38
*Denotes Dragons win
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons kick off the 2007 season and the broadcast of the AFL on ESPN/ABC when they face the Dallas Desperados in a division match-up on Sunday at 12:30pm at the Nassau Coliseum. The Dragons were 0-2 against Dallas in the 2006 season and have an all-time record of 3-5 against the Desperados. The Dragons will also face the Desperados when the head to Dallas in Week 16.
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons will have their Bye Week in Week 2 and will hit the road for their first away game in Week Three when they head to Chicago. The Dragons' first road game of the 2006 season was also Chicago where the Dragons came out on top 51-47.
DRAGONS' WEEK ONE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Tuesday (2/27): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Wednesday (2/28): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Thursday (3/1): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Friday (3/2): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Saturday (3/3): 10:00 Walk Thru 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 1-0 record to start the season.
- The Dragons their 105th regular season victory and their 112th of all-time.
- The team their 49th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a regular season and all-time record of 4-5 versus Dallas
DRAGONS KICK OFF SEASON AT HOME
Since moving to Long Island, the Dragons have kicked off the season at home three times: 2001, 2005 and 2006. In each of those seasons, the Dragons have made the playoffs.
FAMILIAR FIRSTS
The Dragons are no strangers to a season opener versus Dallas. Since the franchises move to Long Island in 2001, this will be the third time they face each other in a Week One matchup. The teams are tied with one win a piece in these meetings.
TAKE BACK THE EAST
After taking the division title three seasons in a row (2003-2005), the Dragons will look to regain that title in the 2007 season. They lost the title to Dallas in 2006 and will be looking to start off on the right foot.
ANTHONY: AN IRONMAN ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Not only is Chris Anthony an outstanding athlete, but citizen as well. This Ironman kept busy this past offseason by starting his own non-profit organization called SpineLife. SpineLife assists athlete's who suffer sports related spinal cord injuries and head trauma's. Anthony was first inspired after witnessing the tragic death of Al Lucas (Los Angeles Avengers) on the field during the Dragons game in Los Angeles in the 2005 season. Visit StandWithTravis.com to learn more about SpineLife's latest ventures.
AARON GARCIA STARTS ON INJURED RESERVE
Aaron Garcia continues to rehab his leg in California as the Dragons head into Week One. This is the second home opener Garcia hasn't started with the other coming in 2002. That season, Garcia was with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. Garcia will be out for an indefinite amount of time, but for a minimum of four weeks due to the AFL rule change of the injured reserve.
HORACEK AIMS FOR MILESTONE
WR/LB Mike Horacek led the Dragons offense in the 2006 season after recording 121 receptions for 1,663 yards and 35 touchdowns in 15 games. He looks to reach a milestone of 10,000 yards this season and is shy by just 713 yards.
BLAST FROM A PAST SEASON
DB Billy Parker returns to the Dragons for the 2007 season after spending the 2006 season on the Carolina Panthers Practice Squad. In 2005, Parker led the Dragons defense in interceptions and tied the franchise interception record with ten. He was also named to the All-Rookie and All-Arena teams as a DS in 2005.
ARENABOWL XXI
New Orleans will host ArenaBowl XXI at New Orleans Arena on Sunday, July 29 at 3:00pm EST. This will be the first championship game held in New Orleans since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
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 did you feel was a big accomplishment during training camp?
The biggest accomplishment was probably the fact we were able to get down to our roster limit. We had a very talented group of players attend camp to compete. There were some very difficult decisions made to get to the final roster.
What is going to be the Team's main focus during this week's practice?
The main focus will be to create as close to game like conditions as possible. We will be creating play clock and substitution scenarios to be better prepared for what is to come in this new age of free substitution.
What is your view on facing Dallas in Week One?
It is always a benefit to start off against one of the elite franchises so you know where you stand early in the season. I rather enjoy facing the best early and often.
What are your personal/team goals heading into your third season on Long Island?
I have no real personal goals outside of motivating this team and driving this franchise to realize its full potential. This organization, ownership, and community deserve all that this team and staff have to offer. We have enjoyed tremendous support since my arrival and that cannot go unappreciated. We will continue to build toward the goal of an ArenaBowl Championship.
Who is someone you are looking forward to coaching and seeing their progress throughout this season?
There are too many names to mention at this point so I won't. They (the players) are all hard working and professional. I more look forward to their progress as a TEAM more than anything else. That is an accomplishment that means more to me than anything else.
2007 SCHEDULE
DATE TIME/
SCORE OPPONENT
Sun, 3/4 12:30 vs. Dallas
Sun, 3/18 3:00 at Chicago
Fri, 3/23 7:30 at Tampa Bay
Sun, 4/1 1:00 vs. Philadelphia
Sat, 4/7 7:00 at Grand Rapids
Sun, 4/15 1:00 vs. Colorado
Fri, 4/20 7:30 at Orlando
Sat, 4/28 7:00 vs. Arizona
Fri, 5/4 9:00 at Columbus
Mon, 5/14 7:30 at Philadelphia
Sun, 5/20 1:00 vs. Kansas City
Mon, 5/28 8:00 at New Orleans
Sat, 6/2 7:00 vs. Austin
Sat, 6/9 7:00 vs. Orlando
Sat, 6/16 8:30 at Dallas
Sat, 6/23 7:00 vs. Columbus
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NEW FACE AT QB:
As Aaron Garcia continues to rehab after his season ending leg injury last season, a new face will start at QB.
Leon Murray will take over the reigns and comes to the Dragons with four years of previous AFL experience. Murray started his career with the Georgia Force (2003-04) before joining the Nashville Kats (2005-06).
STATS:
In his career, Murray has completed 755 of 1256 attempts for 9,094 yards and 156 touchdowns despite 34 interceptions. He has a QB rating of 102.12. Murray also added 89 rushes for 383 yards and 21 touchdowns.
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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. All Five coaches have, in total, a combined 29 years of AFL playing experience and another combined 23-plus years as coaches.
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ORIGINAL DRAGONS
OS Kevin Swayne has been the property of the Dragons for all seven 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 (other then Aaron Garcia) 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 2007 season is his third with the Dragons, but seventh with the franchise.
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RETURNING DRAGONS
The Dragons have 10 players on their active roster that have played for the Dragons in previous seasons. Dragons from the 2006 season who return are: WR/LB Chris Anthony, WR/LB Maurice Brown, OL/DL Delbert Cowsette, DB Will Holder, WR/LB Mike Horacek, OL/DL Joe Laudano, DB Billy Parker, FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms, DB Dahnel Singfield, WR Kevin Swayne and OL/DL Paul White. DB Billy Parker also returns after leaving the Dragons following the 2005 season. QB Aaron Garcia is currently on Injured Reserve.
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ROOKIE SENSATIONS:
Delbert Cowsette and Dahnel Singfield were both named to the All-Rookie Team following the 2006 season and remain on the Dragons roster heading into the 2007 season.
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NY-DAL CONNECTIONS:
FB/LB Joshua White played for the Dragons in the 2004 and 2005 season before joining the Desperados.
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