New York Dragons game notes
April 25, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons return home in Week Nine when they take on the Arizona Rattlers in the first Saturday home game of the 2007 season on April 28 at 7:00pm. This will be the 12th all-time meeting between the two franchises with the Dragons down 5-6 in the series. The Dragons have posted a 4-5 regular- season record against the Rattlers. The game will take place at the Nassau Coliseum
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons head to Columbus in Week Ten when they face the division rival Columbus Destroyers in a Friday night match-up. Game time is set for 7:00pm. The Dragons are 9-5 all-time against the Destroyers. Since the Destroyers moved to Columbus in 2004, the Dragons lead the series 4-2.
DRAGONS' WEEK NINE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Tuesday (4/24): 12:30-2:30 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Wednesday (4/25): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Thursday (4/26): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Friday (4/27): 12:00-2:00 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 Dragons their 106th regular season victory and their 113th of all-time.
- The team their 50th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a 2-6 record and a 1-3 home record for the season.
HORACEK REACHES 10,000 YARDS
Mike Horacek became the eighth player in AFL history to reach the 10,000 receiving yards milestone in Week Seven versus Colorado. He accomplished this feat in 104 career AFL games. His 100th career game took place this season in Week Four at Tampa Bay.
Player Team Yards
Barry Wagner 13,363
Eddie Brown 12,730
Damian Harrell Colorado 11,052
Chris Jackson Georgia 10,661
Gary Compton 10,327
Greg Hopkins 10,300
Cory Fleming 10,217
Mike Horacek New York 10,153
*Bold- Active
Horacek also holds the league record for most receiving yards in a game with 285 when he accomplished the feat with the Iowa Barnstormers on July 15, 2000 versus Albany.
In Week Six versus Grand Rapids, Horacek recorded his 40th 100-yard reception game with 157 yards and moving him to the fifth all-time spot in the AFL. He also recorded five touchdowns moving him up to the four spot in active players career 5-TD games.
ALL-TIME 100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES
Player Team Games
Eddie Brown Albany/Indiana 59
Barry Wagner San Jose 55
Damian Harrell Colorado 54
Chris Jackson Georgia 54
Mike Horacek New York 41
Calvin Schexnayder Arizona 40
*Bold- Active
AFL's ACTIVE PLAYERS CAREER 5-TD GAMES
Player Team Games
Chris Jackson Georgia 14
Damian Harrell Colorado 11
Siaha Burley Utah 9
Mike Horacek New York 7
Marcus Nash Dallas 7
Kevin Swayne New York 6
*Bold- Active
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 traumas. 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 www.StandWithTravis.com to learn more about SpineLife's latest ventures.
DRAGONS KICKED 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.
AARON GARCIA STARTS ON INJURED RESERVE
After a season ending injury in Week Five of the 2006 season, Garcia continues to rehab his fractured tibia and will remain on the injured reserve for an indefinite amount of time.
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.
STATISTICS:
A look at how New York and Arizona match-up based on 2007 regular season statistics:
Statistical NEW YORK ARIZONA
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 19th 44.0 5th 60.4
Scoring Defense 14th 57.9 17th 62.2
Total Offense (yds/g) 10th 292.7 4th 327.2
Total Defense (yds/g) 6th 287.9 19th 336.4
Pass Offense 4th 269.9 10th 301.0
Pass Defense 5th 261.1 19th 327.9
Rushing Offense 7th 22.9 4th 26.2
Rushing Defense 15th 26.7 1st 8.5
Passer Rating 19th 93.5 5th 123.4
Def. Passer Rating 11th 113.6 16th 124.0
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) 5th 19.2 9th 17.2
MFG Returns 16th 5-38 3rd 4-90
Turnover Margin 19th 1-15 16th -6
Interceptions By 12th 7-37 9th 8-49
Field Goals 15th 3-7 13th 4-9
PATs 10th 35-40 17th 51-63
First Downs 17th 130 1st 183
3rd Down Conversion 10th 21-42 1st 27-45
4th Down Conversion 16th 3-11 9th 6-10
Penalties (yds/g) 15th 54.4 2nd 31.1
Sacks By 19th 4-24 18th 5-21
Sacks Against 14th 10-64 1st 1-1
Time of Possession 14th 28:50 7th 30:58
Red Zone Offense 19th 20-28 3rd 35-40
Red Zone Defense 11th 21-25 1st 25-34
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