Dragons` Dream Downed by Destroyers
David Holusha
Wednesday April 9, 2003
The Dragons have been teasing these fans for the last three weeks. Attempting the improbable, if not impossible, feat of attempting to win out after starting the season 0-6. The fact that they put a three-game, winning streak together gave credence to many optimistic New York fans. However, that train suddenly jumped off track.
“It’s baffling to me the way we played,” said the visibly upset head coach Todd Shell. “The way we played was unacceptable. For one thing, we missed far too many tackles.”
It didn’t start out that way. On Buffalo’s opening drive, OL/DL Ken Talanoa came up with a big defensive play to bat down a pass. That appeared to set the tone for the Dragons defense.
Linebacker Rodney Filer followed that lead when he blocked a point-after kick with a strong move inside to the kicker.
But the Dragons’ own kicking problems continue to plague them. Already on their third kicker this season, the team chose to go for two-points after every touchdown score after a few wobbly and low kickoffs.
“Our kicker got hurt so we had to go for two after each touchdown at that point,” explained Shell after the game.
Still the kicking game alone wasn’t the reason this team fell short. The usually reliable QB Aaron Garcia had by his high standards a sub-par game. Although he did connect with favorite receiver Mike Furrey for three touchdowns, many of Garcia’s passes were uncharacteristically overthrown.
“They’ve got some good defensive backs and I was getting some balls tipped,” said Garcia. “So in order to prevent getting picked, I may have overthrown a bit as a result of it. It’s a fine line we work with on this smaller field.
“In the third quarter I just didn’t feel right. So I suppose it took away from my confidence a bit. Still there’s no excuses. It’s a game we should have won. An important division game.”
One bright spot for the Dragons was Donvetis Franklin’s kickoff returns. On multiple occasions, Franklin took the ball deep in his own endzone, and then dazzled the crowd with electrifying runs, giving his team good field position. Despite this starting point, Garcia’s usually automatic trips to the endzone often ended in frustration – and no points.
Shell gave high praise to a Buffalo team that stifled his high-powered offense. “This was a very good defensive team we played. So I don’t know why we would have been looking past them. They’re the best defensive team we played all year.
“Now were in a bigger hole, and this team is going to have to play every down like it’s the last down. If not, I’m going to find the people that will help us win.”
Harsh words from a coach who demands as much from his players has he does from himself.
So now it’s gut check time for these Dragons. The next few weeks will show whether they are truly the type of warriors Shell is looking for.
David Holusha was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2003 to 2004.
