New York Dragons game notes
May 1, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons hit the road in Week Ten when they head to Columbus to face the division rival Destroyers in a Friday night match-up. The Dragons lead the al-time series 9-5 against Columbus and lead 4-2 since the Destroyers moved to Columbus in 2004.
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons remain on the road for the second consecutive division match-up when the face the Philadelphia Soul on May 14th in a Monday Night Arena Football Game on ESPN2 at 7:30pm.
DRAGONS' WEEK TEN PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Tuesday (5/1): 12:30-2:30 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Wednesday (5/2): 12:00-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Thursday (5/3): Travel to Columbus
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 107th regular season victory and their 114th of all-time.
- The team their 51st victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a 3-6 record and a 2-3 road record for the season.
AARON GARCIA RETURNS
Aaron Garcia returned in Week Nine after being out more than a year after a season ending fractured tibia in Week Five of the 2006 season versus Orlando. In his first game back, Garcia was named Offensive Player of the Game in the Dragons 67-45 victory over the Arizona Rattlers where Garcia recorded 17 completions on 30 attempts for 251 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception.
Garcia has totaled 36,353 passing yards and 764 touchdowns in his career and now enters his 13th season. Last season, in five games he recorded 121 completions on 157 attempts for 1,417 yards and 32 touchdowns. Garcia was also the first quarterback to throw for 700 (April 29, 2005 at Dallas) and 750 (February 19, 2006 at Philadelphia) touchdowns. Dallas QB Clint Dolezel was first to reach the 800 milestone this season while Garcia was on the injured reserve but Garcia will continue to aim for 800 and to take back the reins in the leader boards.
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 11,122
Chris Jackson Georgia 10,748
Gary Compton 10,327
Greg Hopkins 10,300
Mike Horacek New York 10,276
Cory Fleming 10,217
*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.
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 42
Calvin Schexnayder Arizona 40
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
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.
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.
STATISTICS:
A look at how New York and Columbus match-up based on 2007 regular season statistics:
Statistical NEW YORK COLUMBUS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 19th 46.9 12th 51.4
Scoring Defense 13th 56.2 4th 47.6
Total Offense (yds/g) 12th 287.8 19th 240.0
Total Defense (yds/g) 9th 293.2 6th 285.9
Pass Offense 11th 266.4 19th 220.2
Pass Defense 7th 268.5 6th 264.9
Rushing Offense 8th 21.4 9th 19.8
Rushing Defense 16th 24.8 12th 21.0
Passer Rating 19th 97.0 12th 104.9
Def. Passer Rating 7th 107.3 6th 107.0
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) 5th 19.9 1st 21.1
MFG Returns 17th 5-38 14th 2-17
Turnover Margin 19th -11 6th +3
Interceptions By 8th 11-91 12th 7-44
Field Goals 13th 5-9 5th 8-15
PATs 13th 42-49 16th 43-52
First Downs 19th 143 18th 144
3rd Down Conversion 11th 24-49 15th 25-57
4th Down Conversion 17th 4-12 4th 11-16
Penalties (yds/g) 16th 56.6 1st 31.5
Sacks By 19th 4-24 7th 10-56
Sacks Against 14th 11-72 8th 6-38
Time of Possession 17th 28:25 13th 29:10
Red Zone Offense 19th 22-30 12th 34-41
Red Zone Defense 11th 24-29 8th 30-37
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