New York Dragons game notes
May 30, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons return home in Week Fourteen when the take on the Austin Wranglers on Saturday, June 2 at 7:00pm. This will be the first time the two teams meet in New York. The Dragons are 1-1 all time with the Wranglers and look to continue their three-game winning streak and improve their record to 6-7 with a win Saturday night.
NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons continue at home in Week Fifteen when they face the Orlando Predators for the second time this season. The Dragons were defeated by the Predators in Week Eight this year by a score of 52-47. This will mark the 17th all-time meeting between the two franchises with Orlando leading the series 11-5. The Dragons have posted a 4-7 regular season record against Orlando and are 1-6 since moving to Long Island.
DRAGONS' WEEK FOURTEEN PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Thursday (5/31): 11:15-1:15: at Mitchel Field Practice Facility
Friday (6/1): 11:15-1:00 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 110th regular season victory and their 117th of all-time.
- The team their 54th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a 6-7 record and a 3-3 home record for the season.
THREE-GAME WINNING STREAK BRINGS PLAYOFF HOPES TO LIFE
The Dragons' win over New Orleans in Week Thirteen put them on a three-game winning streak and moved them into the six spot in the National Conference for the playoffs. Although playoffs hopes seemed far away in the beginning of the season, the Dragons have now turned things around this season and they control their own destiny with just four games remaining.
GARCIA GOES FOR NUMBER 800
After being names the AFL's Offensive Player of the Week in Week Eleven and Week Twelve, Garcia posted his best performance yet in Week thirteen versus the VooDoo. In the game, he recorded 29 pass completions on 37 attempts for 358 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. In the last three games, Garcia has thrown for 25 touchdowns for 883 yards with no interceptions and has completed 75 of 107 passes bringing his career touchdown total to 794. He can throw for number 800 this weekend after just six touchdown receptions.
In his 13th season, Garcia has totaled 37,521 career passing yards and has thrown for 794 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 57.5. 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 13 pass breakups breaks his career-high of eight that he recorded in 2006. With four 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 11,617
Chris Jackson Georgia 11,100
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 57
Chris Jackson Georgia 55
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 13
Siaha Burley Utah 9
Kevin Swayne New York 8
Mike Horacek New York 7
Marcus Nash Dallas 7
STATISTICS:
A look at how New York and Austin match-up based on 2007 regular season statistics:
Statistical NEW YORK AUSTIN
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 12th 51.4 11th 51.8
Scoring Defense 14th 55.8 15th 57.3
Total Offense (yds/g) 11th 289.8 8th 296.3
Total Defense (yds/g) 13th 304.8 16th 313.2
Pass Offense 11th 273.1 14th 263.2
Pass Defense 12th 282.2 14th 289.6
Rushing Offense 11th 16.7 1st 33.2
Rushing Defense 16th 22.5 17th 23.6
Passer Rating 10th 111.0 19th 99.3
Def. Passer Rating 8th 107.6 17th 126.7
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) 7th 18.4 5th 19.0
MFG Returns 14th 9.7 6th 20.5
Turnover Margin T-14th -8 17th -9
Interceptions By 8th 16-115 18th 5-57
Field Goals 15th 5-13 3rd 14-22
PATs 10th 74-84 1st 79-82
First Downs 14th 233 16th 229
3rd Down Conversion 10th 34-69 15th 34-75
4th Down Conversion 16th 7-16 8th 9-16
Penalties (yds/g) 13th 49.8 7th 45.1
Sacks By 18th 7-44 13th 10-51
Sacks Against 13th 15-94 15th 20-109
Time of Possession 16th 28:38 15th 28:55
Red Zone Offense 18th 43-56 16th 50-63
Red Zone Defense 13th 38-45 18th 59-66
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 W 69-63 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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DRAGONS HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
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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ANTHONY: OFF-FIELD IRONMAN, TOO
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.
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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