New York Dragons game notes
Published on June 19, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons wrap up the 2007 regular-season against the Columbus Destroyers in a home game that will determine the fate of both teams as far as the playoffs. The Dragons must win by nine or more points to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs this season. A Dragons win by less than nine and a win for New Orleans over Georgia would also send the Dragons to 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 SEVENTEEN-PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Wednesday (6/20): 11:30-1:30 at Nassau Coliseum
Thursday (6/21): 11:30-1:30 at Nassau Coliseum
Friday (6/22): 10:00 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 6-10 record for the 2007 season.
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 week's match-up versus Orlando, Davey completed 20 passes on 31 attempts for 279 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
BILLY PARKER LEADS IN PB'S
DB Billy Parker currently leads the league in pass breakups with 26. Parker recorded 21 PB's in the 2005 season with the Dragons along with ten interceptions for 38 yards. He was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad in 2006 and returned to the Dragons this season. Below is a list of leaders in pass breakups.
Player Team Pass Breakups
Billy Parker New York 26
Eddie Moten Philadelphia 24
Jermaine Jones Dallas 21
Clevan Thomas San Jose 21
Damen Wheeler Los Angeles 20
SWAYNE CLIMBS CHARTS
After recording three consecutive five-touchdown games in Weeks 12-14, Kevin Swayne 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
*Bold- Active
HOLDER HAVING RECORD SEASON
In thirteen games this season, DB Will Holder has set a career high in tackles with 63. Previously, his career high in total tackles was 37.0, which he recorded in the 2006 season. In addition, his five interceptions for 74 yards tops his previous career high of four interceptions for 39 yards in the 2005 season and his 16 pass breakups breaks his career-high of eight that he recorded in 2006.
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 11,795
Chris Jackson Georgia 11,433
Mike Horacek New York 10,665
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 57
Mike Horacek New York 43
Calvin Schexnayder Arizona 40
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 14th 49.6 16th 48.5
Scoring Defense 15th 59.5 6th 50.0
Total Offense (yds/g) 13th 280.2 19th 255.5
Total Defense (yds/g) 9th 293.9 7th 283.1
Pass Offense 13th 264.9 19th 232.5
Pass Defense 9th 271.8 7th 265.4
Rushing Offense 13th 15.3 4th 23.0
Rushing Defense T-15th 22.1 10th 17.7
Passer Rating 14th 105.1 17th 100.6
Def. Passer Rating 8th 108.9 12th 115.9
Kickoff Returns (y/rtn) 2nd 19.8 7th 18.9
MFG Returns 14th 7-58 17th 4-26
Turnover Margin 18th -18 11th -1
Interceptions By 8th 18-145 13th 12-61
Field Goals 17th 5-14 13th 10-20
PATs 12th 83-95 17th 70-88
First Downs 17th 288 16th 291
3rd Down Conversion 14th 42-91 13th 51-110
4th Down Conversion 19th 9-26 3rd 19-30
Penalties (yds/g) 13th 49.6 T-4th 40.2
Sacks By 18th 7-44 13th 13-82
Sacks Against 15th 23-131 8th 13-83
Time of Possession 15th 29:06 10th 30:50
Red Zone Offense 18th 52-68 9th 64-77
Red Zone Defense 14th 55-64 6th 62-78
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 L 13-67 at Dallas
Sat, 6/23 7:00 vs. Columbus
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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.
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
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 19, 2007
- Tampa Bay's Marshall Named Ironman of the Week - Tampa Bay Storm
- AFL Weekly Awards - AFL I
- Soul To Host Fan Appreciation Night - Philadelphia Soul
- Divisional Round Dates, Times Set - AFL I
- Rush Playoff Tickets On Sale Wednesday - Chicago Rush
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- Barry Wagner Returns To Preds - Orlando Predators
- Nudo Will Not Return As Head Coach - Arizona Rattlers
- Week 16 Total Attendance Ranks Third All Time - AFL I
- Tampa Bay Storm, Bill Currie Ford Team Up To Provide A Fan The Chance To Win A Ford Edge - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rush To Host National Anthem Contest Wednesday - Chicago Rush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
