New York Dragons Weekly
June 25, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
Blowing Into Town: The Dragons travel to Chicago on Sunday June 30 where they will play the Rush in a TNN nationally televised game. (TNN, WLUX 4:30)
Garcia Returns: In his first game back with the Dragons after being released from the San Francisco 49ers, record-breaking QB and 2001 Offensive Player of the Year, Aaron Garcia (17-37 228 yards) showed some signs of AFL rust as he threw for only five touchdowns along with two interceptions in the Dragons loss.
1998 was a tough road: The Dragons road losing streak currently stands at five games, following a Week 10 loss at San Jose. The five defeats tie the franchise mark for most road losses in a season set in 1998. The Dragons current 2-8 record now ranks as the worst Week 10 mark in franchise history. In 1998, the team started 0-5 then acquired QB Aaron Garcia for Week 6. Garcia went 5-4 leading the Iowa Barnstomers to a 5-9 record and the only time in franchise history the team did not reach the playoffs.
NEW YORK DRAGONS WEEK TEN
San Jose 65, New York 41:
The Dragons losing streak moved to four games following a 65-41 loss to the now 10-0 San Jose SaberCats in front of 13,717 fans at the Compaq Center in San Jose. The game marked the return of QB Aaron Garcia to Arena Football following a mini-camp stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Garcia showed signs of "Arena" rust throwing only five touchdowns with two interceptions. OS Steve Papin, who was returning to the place that he spent five seasons, received a loud mixed ovation and recorded 257 yards of total offense, including a touchdown. The game did feature the first two AFL touchdown receptions of WR/DB Damien Groce's career and a team leading seven tackle - one touchdown run performance from FB/LB Chin Achebe.
NEW YORK DRAGON PLAYER NOTES
That's Groce: Playing his first game of the season and only third of his AFL career Damien Groce caught two passes in the game recording the first two touchdown receptions of his career. The strikes went 24 and 22 yards respectively.
Iron Chin: FB/LB Chin Achebe had his best game of the season at San Jose recording a one-yard rushing touchdown while leading the team with seven total tackles.
Slash Doxzon Hits a Grand: WR/DB Todd Doxzon registered his 1,000 receiving yard on June 15 vs. Orlando. Doxzon finished the game with 53 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
8K for Papin: Kick return specialist Steve Papin registered his 8,000th kick return yard vs. Orlando, running the ball back for a total of 190 yards. Papin currently ranks 2nd among active AFL players, behind only Arizona's Hunkie Cooper. In addition, by registering 82 yards in MFG returns on 6/8 @ BUF, Steve Papin reached the 1,000-yard mark for his career.
More Papin Notes: Steve Papin reached the 800-point plateau on May 4, 2002 in the Dragons loss at Indiana. The milestone is one in a long line set by the seven-year veteran. Papin, who broke 13,000 all-purpose yards this season, ranks among the League's top active players in kick returns, MFG returns and all-purpose yards.
Franklin Earns Monthly Honor: AFL rookie Donvetis Franklin Franklin earned "Defensive Player of the Month" honors for May, finishing the month with 38.0 tackles, including a season-high 10.5 in the Dragons' overtime loss at New Jersey May 18th. The Michigan State product also pulled down four interceptions and broke up eight passes. In addition, Franklin had a kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception return for a 25-yard score.
Owen Makes Debut: Lineman Marcus "Snowball" Owen made his AFL debut on 6/8 at Buffalo, registering one solo tackle and one assisted tackle for a loss. Owen also registed a half sack in the game.
Maxwell Stepping Up: Local hero Jason Maxwell who was placed in the starting lineup filling in for an injured Geoff Turner has tallied a touchdown in each of the last three games recording a second quarter touchdown at San Jose.
Iron Mike Furrey: Dragon WR/DB Mike Furrey was named the Ironman Man of the Week for the second time this season after his performance in a week five loss to New Jersey. In the game, Furrey registered nine receptions for 183 yards and three touchdowns along with three interceptions and five pass deflections. The award was Furrey's second in five games after the rookie earned Ironman Honors following a Week 2 victory over Buffalo.
STORY LINES OF INTEREST
Kanell Speaks to Hauppauge Kids: On Thursday, June 20, high school football players heard from a former NFL quarterback. Danny Kanell addressed approximately 300 athletes and parents at Hauppauge High School.
Don't We Know You?: Dragon-Turned-Jet Kevin Swayne has been cited at several games this season, supporting his former teammates. Swayne, whose marathon XFL-AFL-NFL season(s) received national media attention last season, was a major part of the Jets' 2001 playoff run.
Maynard Name Returns to LI: Scot Maynard has joined the Dragons' coaching staff as Defensive Assistant. Maynard is no stranger to Long Island as his father, Don Maynard was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 after spending the majority of his career with the New York Jets.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 25, 2002
- This week in the AFL - OSC Original by Mark Sargent
- Remy Hamilton - More Than a Kick - Los Angeles Avengers
- Jacobs Named ADT Defensive Player of the Week - San Jose SaberCats
- Greg Hopkins honored as AFL "Ironman of the Week" - Los Angeles Avengers
- McNair Earns Player of the Week Honors - Buffalo Destroyers
- McNair Leads Players of the Week - AFL I
- Raybon Up to the Challenge - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Desperados Host AFL's Top Team - Dallas Desperados
- New York Dragons Weekly - New York Dragons
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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