No Rest for the Weary in New York
Dwayne Smith
Wednesday March 24, 2004
After last Saturday’s 62-41 domination of the struggling Columbus Destroyers, the scene was very different. Shell still called the victory “huge,” but now the swagger was back on the defending Eastern Division Champions. Instead of celebrating a victory that proved his team belonged with the elite, Shell now is getting his team prepared for another playoff run.
Going into the bye week 4-3 after starting the season 1-3, the Dragons’ second-year coach is looking to further improve his team, noting, “We had a few mental mistakes.” Shell was referring to coverage mistakes that allowed a three-touchdown, 11-catch, 154-yard game by Destroyer WR/LB Cornelius White. Shell knows that after this week’s bye, the Dragons have a stretch of six consecutive games against division rivals that will almost certainly determine how the East is won. The biggest game in that stretch will be in Dallas to avenge the disappointing loss of February 22, their last home loss.
The coach must be very pleased with his linemen. While rushing, they forced Destroyer QB John Rayburn into throwing three interceptions. These same players gave QB Aaron Garcia all day to throw and completely pick apart Columbus. In fact, when the game got out of hand and the Dragons decided to run, RB/LB Rodney Filer rumbled downfield three times to set up RB/LB Josh White’s three-yard plunge for the final New York touchdown. It was a prime example of the dominant play of the New York linemen.
As for the plans during the bye week for the surging Dragons? No rest for the team that has turned its season around.
“We’re working. We’ll take a little bit of time off, but for the most part, we’re working. It’s a 24/7 deal when you’re in this league,” said Shell. One of the things that will be worked on, besides even better defensive consistency, will be working injured players back into the lineup.
Out of the current three-game winning streak, the Dragons have discovered true playmakers in the most efficient offensive machine in the franchise, led by Garcia. The trio of Will Holder, Lincoln Dupree and Richmond Flowers has given the Arena League’s all-time leading touchdown passer ample targets that seem to find a way to be open from any part of the field. Despite this, Shell had to remind the press corps that former starter Chris Anthony will be recovered from a hamstring injury soon and will alsosee action. “He’s too good a football player (to bench).”
After the slow start and some roster turnover, Shell’s squad has been able to recapture the confidence that led to the Division title run in 2003. In handling a team that they were supposed to beat convincingly, it appears the Dragons have bought into the attitude that the former 49er is trying to instill: Play every game at top intensity and make plays. Throw into the mix some returning injured talent and it could be a fun spring out on Long island.
Dwayne Smith covers Arena Football and the NFL for different web outlets along with providing a fantasy column to FantasyGMs.com. Dwayne has also been a contributor to other online and print outlets, including the Dallas Morning News. In 2003, he covered the NFL Draft from the Headquarters of the New York Jets.
