New York Dragons game notes
Published on May 23, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons head to New Orleans in Week Thirteen to take on the VooDoo in a Monday night ESPN2 match-up at 8:00pm. This will be the first time the two teams meet.
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons return home in Week Fourteen when the take on the Austin Wranglers on Saturday, June 2 at 7:00pm.
DRAGONS' WEEK THIRTEEN PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Thursday (5/24): 11:15-2:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Friday (5/25): 11:15-1:00 at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Saturday (5/26): 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 Dragons their 109th regular season victory and their 116th of all-time.
- The team their 53rd victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a 5-7 record and a 2-3 home record for the season.
GARCIA NAMED AFL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
For his Week Twelve performance vs. Kansas City, QB Aaron Garcia was named the AFL's Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week. In the game, Garcia threw for nine touchdowns by completing 24 of 37 passes for 261 yards with no interceptions. In addition, he posted the second-highest passer rating (125.1) of any winning quarterback during the week while competing against the League's top overall defense.
Garcia was also named the AFL's Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week Eleven's 69-49 victory over the Philadelphia Soul. In only his third game back after suffering a fractured tibia in Week Five of the 2006 season, Garcia recorded 22 completions on 34 attempts for 264 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions.
In his 13th season, Garcia has totaled 37,163 career passing yards and has thrown for 786 touchdowns. 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.
HOLDER HAVING RECORD SEASON
In just eleven games this season, DB Will Holder has set a career high in tackles with 53.0. Previously, his career high in total tackles was 37.0 which he recorded in the 2006 season. In addition, his four interceptions for 54 yards tops his previous career high of four interceptions for 39 yards in the 2005 season and his 12 pass breakups breaks his career-high of eight that he recorded in 2006. With five games remaining, Holder can continue to set new highs.
HORACEK CONTINUES TO CLIMB CHARTS
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. His 94 yards in Week Ten vs. Columbus moved him to the fifth spot all-time in the league, behind Harrell and Jackson.
Player Team Yards
Barry Wagner 13,363
Eddie Brown 12,730
Damian Harrell Colorado 11,454
Chris Jackson Georgia 11,008
Mike Horacek New York 10,563
Gary Compton 10,327
Greg Hopkins 10,300
Cory Fleming 10,217
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 56
Chris Jackson Georgia 54
Mike Horacek New York 43
Calvin Schexnayder Arizona 40
AFL's ACTIVE PLAYERS CAREER 5-TD GAMES
Player Team Games
Chris Jackson Georgia 14
Damian Harrell Colorado 12
Siaha Burley Utah 9
Mike Horacek New York 7
Marcus Nash Dallas 7
Kevin Swayne New York 7
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.
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 New Orleans match-up based on 2007 regular season statistics:
Statistical NEW YORK NEW ORLEANS
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 15th 49.8 17th 48.0
Scoring Defense 13th 55.1 10th 53.5
Total Offense (yds/g) 13th 283.5 9th 292.3
Total Defense (yds/g) 12th 304.6 3rd 275.6
Pass Offense 12th 265.4 9th 278.6
Pass Defense 12th 280.0 4th 259.5
Rushing Offense 11th 18.1 14th 13.6
Rushing Defense 17th 24.6 6th 16.1
Passer Rating 13th 106.3 16th 102.0
Def. Passer Rating 8th 106.9 12th 116.0
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) 5th 19.4 14th 16.0
MFG Returns 12th 9.7 7th 16.6
Turnover Margin 18th -9 17th -8
Interceptions By 7th 15-115 13th 8-94
Field Goals 15th 5-13 9th 10-20
PATs 9th 65-74 16th 58-71
First Downs 15th 209 9th 238
3rd Down Conversion 11th 33-68 14th 40-90
4th Down Conversion 16th 7-16 9th 15-27
Penalties (yds/g) 12th 47.1 10th 49.2
Sacks By 18th 7-44 11th 10-42
Sacks Against 13th 15-94 18th 20-133
Time of Possession 15th 28:51 5th 31:36
Red Zone Offense 18th 38-51 19th 44-61
Red Zone Defense 13th 33-39 19th 52-56
2007 SCHEDULE
DATE TIME/SCORE OPPONENT
Sun, 3/4 L 60-7 vs. Dallas
Sun, 3/18 L 61-40 at Chicago
Fri, 3/23 W 59-52 at Tampa Bay
Sun, 4/1 L 65-60 vs. Philadelphia
Sat, 4/7 L 66-53 at Grand Rapids
Sun, 4/15 L 49-48 vs. Colorado
Fri, 4/20 L 52-47 at Orlando
Sat, 4/28 W 67-45 vs. Arizona
Fri, 5/4 L 51-42 at Columbus
Mon, 5/14 W 69-49 at Philadelphia
Sun, 5/20 W 62-56 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 YORK'S 50TH VICTORY
Week Nine not only marked Aaron Garcia's return to the active roster, but also the Dragons 50th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001. Head coach Weylan Harding was a part of 22 wins with the Dragons and Garcia was a part of 38 wins.
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NYD-NVD CONNECTIONS:
VooDoo OL/DL Richard McCleskey played for the Dragons in the 2006 season where he recorded 26 rushes for 71 yards and four touchdowns. He also added eight receptions for 44 yards. On defense he totaled 14.0 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
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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.
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ORIGINAL DRAGONS
WR 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 9 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, QB Aaron Garcia, DB Will Holder, WR/LB Mike Horacek, OL/DL Joe Laudano, FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms, WR Kevin Swayne and OL/DL Paul White. DB Billy Parker also returns after leaving the Dragons following the 2005 season.
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DENNIS RETURNS TO DRAGONS
DB DaShane Dennis returns to the Dragons (where he spent his 2005 and 2006 seasons) after spending the first Six Weeks of this season with Kansas City. Despite the Dragons 49-48 loss to Colorado, Dennis had a successful first week back recording 4 kickoff returns for 94 yards and a touchdown, one field goal return for nine yards and 4.5 tackles.
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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.
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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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