Dragons Suddenly on Fire
David Holusha
Monday March 31, 2003
“It wasn’t the prettiest thing in the world, but we got it done,” said the clearly relieved head coach Todd Shell. When asked what the difference has been for this team lately, the head coach said “one reason is the defense is working now overall. As opposed to earlier in the season when I first arrived. It has both to do with the new techniques being applied, as well as the players attitudes and work ethic on the new system. They have worked very hard in practice and now the results are showing.”
Catching up with emerging superstar receiver Mike Furrey, it was easy to see the confidence growing with this team. Six touchdowns in the victory two weeks ago; six td’s in the win last week; four more today. Are we possibly looking at an AFL record by the end of the season?
“What’s the record now, 46-47,” Furrey queried. “I’ve got 34 or 35 right now. If Aaron and I continue to stay healthy, there’s a good chance that’s going to happen.” Said the OS, referring to game MVP quarterback Aaron Garcia.
Even when things appear to go wrong, they eventually wind up going right for this team at the moment. With four minutes to go in the third quarter and the Dragons moving the ball with precision, Furrey appeared to be all alone in the end zone for a sure touchdown. As the ball hung in the air just a bit too long, Colorado defender Ahmad Hawkins jumped in front of Mike and tipped the ball away. An impressive defensive play. Or was it?
“Aaron floated the pass a bit on that one. To be honest with you, I didn’t even see anyone coming, so I didn’t move as aggressively to the ball as I usually do” said Furrey. “Things like that are going to happen throughout the season. Even though we’ve had pretty good success so far, Aaron and I are still working things out together.”
Clearly it works more often than not. On the ensuing play, Furrey caught another pass to move the ball to the 18-yard line. The very next play had Furrey crossing left-to-right through the end zone for a score. A textbook play drawn out by the signal caller? “Aaron allows me to run motions, run the post and that was an option route. I’m allowed to improvise in this system, and that’s just one of the reasons it’s working.”
Garcia himself appeared reenergized after the game. “The win feels great. Now we’ve got to continue to build on this momentum,” said the quarterback. “You could see there was tension out there today. Guys were arguing – but for a positive goal” he said. “The intensity is great. Were still 3-6, but it’s looking good now.”
So now the Dragons have cut what once appeared to be an insurmountable deficit in half. To a man this team never got down on themselves, even after losing their first six games of the season. The fact that they’ve clawed their way back with three consecutive wins is a testament to professional athletes that just don’t know how to quit.
Winners never quit, as they say. The rest of that saying holds true as well.
The Dragons are now on a mission to prove just how much of a winner they are.
David Holusha was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2004.
