New York Dragons game notes

Published on June 13, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


ABOUT THE GAME

The Dragons hit the road in Week Sixteen for their last road game of the 2007 season when they head to Dallas for a division match-up versus the first place Desperados. The Desperados lead the all-time series 6-3 over the Dragons and have won the last three match-ups. This is the second time the two teams meet this season and the Dragons were defeated in Week One, 60-7. The Dragons need a win over Dallas to control their own destiny in the playoff run.

NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW

The Dragons wrap up the 2007 regular season against the Columbus Destroyers in a home game that could determine both teams fate with the playoffs. This will be the second time the division rivals meet this season and the Destroyers beat the Dragons 51-42 in Week Ten.

DRAGONS' WEEK SIXTEEN PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Wednesday (6/13): 11:30-1:30: at Nassau Coliseum

Thursday (6/14): 11:30-1:30 at Nassau Coliseum

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 6-9 record and keep them alive for the playoffs.

GARCIA PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE

QB Aaron Garcia was placed on the Injured Reserve before Week 15's match-up against the Orlando Predators. The severe ankle sprain was later found to be a broken right ankle. Garcia would not be eligible to come back until the third round of the playoffs due to the four week IR minimum. In his absence, Rohan Davey is now starting once again. In last weeks matchup versus Orlando, Davey completed 20 passes on 31 attempts for 279 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

GARCIA RECORDS NUMBER 800

QB Aaron Garcia threw for his 800th career touchdown in Week 14 vs. Austin in the third quarter on a 3-yard pass to Will Holder. In his 13th season, Garcia has totaled 37,826 career passing yards and has thrown for 802 touchdowns. Garcia was the first quarterback to throw for 700 (April 29, 2005 at Dallas) and 750 (February 19, 2006 at Philadelphia) touchdowns.

SWAYNE CLIMBS CHARTS

Kevin Swayne has now recorded three consecutive five-touchdown games. He has now climbed into a tie for the third spot for active players five-touchdown games with 9. The full list is below.

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 9

Mike Horacek New York 7

Marcus Nash Dallas 7

HOLDER HAVING RECORD SEASON

In just twelve games this season, DB Will Holder has set a career high in tackles with 60.5. 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 15 pass breakups breaks his career-high of eight that he recorded in 2006. With three 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 11,707

Chris Jackson Georgia 11,283

Mike Horacek New York 10,608

Gary Compton 10,327

Greg Hopkins 10,300

Cory Fleming 10,217

Heading into the 2007 season Horacek also held 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. He is currently fifth in the league in all-time 100-yard receiving games with 43.

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 56

Mike Horacek New York 43

Calvin Schexnayder Arizona 40

*Bold- Active

STATISTICS:

A look at how New York and Dallas match-up based on 2007 regular season statistics:

Statistical NEW YORK DALLAS

Category Rank Stat Rank Stat

Scoring Offense 13th 52.2 3rd 62.3

Scoring Defense 15th 59.0 9th 52.5

Total Offense (yds/g) 11th 290.4 3rd 316.7

Total Defense (yds/g) 13th 299.2 8th 286.9

Pass Offense 11th 275.0 5th 294.9

Pass Defense 10th 276.3 8th 273.7

Rushing Offense 13th 15.4 6th 21.8

Rushing Defense 16th 22.9 2nd 13.1

Passer Rating 10th 111.5 2nd 128.0

Def. Passer Rating 7th 108.7 3rd 100.7

Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) 3rd 19.5 9th 18.3

MFG Returns 14th 7-58 18th 2-18

Turnover Margin 18th -14 5th +8

Interceptions By 8th 17-136 3rd 20-111

Field Goals 17th 5-14 9th 7-13

PATs 9th 82-93 3rd 107-116

First Downs 13th 280 T-3rd 318

3rd Down Conversion 10th 39-80 1st 41-69

4th Down Conversion 16th 9-20 T-13th 7-14

Penalties (yds/g) 13th 50.3 9th 47.4

Sacks By 18th 7-44 9th 14-76

Sacks Against 14th 19-120 1st 3-26

Time of Possession 16th 28:49 18th 28:00

Red Zone Offense 17th 52-67 1st 77-87

Red Zone Defense 14th 51-59 8th 57-70

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 L 82-54 vs. Austin

Sat, 6/9 L 75-54 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 LonIsland 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.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 13, 2007


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