Phantoms get look against Dragons

Sports stats



AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Phantoms get look against Dragons

by Campbell Blake
April 10, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


With the final cuts on Friday, Toronto's preseason finale against the New York Dragons on Thursday night will be the last time for some players to prove that they belong. The game will give Phantoms Head Coach Mark Stoute and his staff the opportunity to evaluate some of the younger players while giving the veterans just enough playing time to have them ready for next week's regular season opener in Tampa Bay.

"We are going to play our starters quite a bit. We are going to take a tough look at some match ups with cut day on Friday," said Stoute. "It will fulfil. quite a few needs in the game against New York."

The Phantoms look to improve in their game with the Dragons in preparation for next weekend's season opener against Tampa. Last weekend in their preseason debut against the defending Arena Bowl champions Grand Rapid Rampage, Toronto lost 47-46 on Brian Gowins 52-yard field goal with no time left on the clock. The game was one of great mismatches at times because the Rampage wanted to play their starter in front of their fans while Toronto wanted to get some of their youngsters some experience. During the second quarter when both teams were going with their first stringers, the Phantoms out-scored the Rampage, 20-11. With some injuries now coming into the equation along with some of the younger players wanting to prove that they belong, Coach Stoute wants to see some improvement over last week.

"Last week we played strong, we played hard, but we lacked that intensive edge that we normally play with," noted Stoute. "My main thing for them this week is that I gave them three challenges - be intense, smart and have a lot fun."

The battle for the starting quarterback position between Pat O'Hara and Chad Salisbury has been decided. Salisbury has been anointed the starter with O'Hara backing him up. Last week against Grand Rapids, O'Hara led the way by completing 10 of 18 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns. In the game against New York, Stoute is planning on giving them each a half of playing time.

"Right now we are going to play Chad in the first half and we will play Pat in the second half," said the coach.

One position that Stoute will be evaluating with great detail will be the linebacker/wide receiver position. Veteran Kerry Brown has gone down with an injury that will cause him to miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season. Jerald Long, who was the Iron Man of the game in the Phantoms loss to Grand Rapids, along with Shamari Buchanan and Kahil Carter are the guys Stoute is observing closely.

When it comes to the New York Dragons, quarterback is a position of concern. Danny Ragsdale has been given the starting position to replace Aaron Garcia and his recording-breaking 104 touchdown passes. The San Francisco 49ers signed Garcia in the off season. In the Dragons 72-48 loss last week to New Jersey, Ragsdale hit on 14 passes in 19 attempts for 189 yards. He certainly will have the weapons this season in Todd Doxon and Steve Papin who came over from San Jose as a free agent during the off season. For the Dragons to be successful this season, Ragsdale is going to have to overcome his lack of experience and play like a seasoned veteran.

"I'm looking for Ragsdale to have a big game," Dragons Head Coach John Gregory said. "I want him to show me that he's the man for the job."

The Phantoms will not show their entire play book. Coach Stoute does not want to give the other teams in the league, especially Tampa Bay, a look at his schemes any sooner than necessary. He plans to go with a few simple schemes to give the players the best opportunity to show off what they have to offer in their attempt to make the team. He will use this game to decide who is worthy of suiting up for the Phantoms once the regular season comes along. There will be some tough decisions that will have to be made based on the results of the game against New York.

Phantom Notes:

Along with Kerry Brown, veteran lineman Connell Spain has also been placed on the injured reserve list and will miss at least the first two games of the regular season. John Summerday will miss the game against New York due to an injury, and he is currently being evaluated on a day to day basis.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 10, 2002


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central