Dragons’ Defense Plays Big Part In Win
Dwayne Smith
Thursday April 6, 2006
By all accounts, this was one of the more unusual games the Dragons have played in recent memory. Used to the stellar, precise movement of the offense led by quarterback Aaron Garcia, the Dragons were a little more pedestrian in their attack this week. Missed opportunities yielded a mere 22-17 halftime lead. This was despite New York’s defense forcing an interception, two field goal attempts and a safety. While it’s unfair to put the blame on QB Nick Browder, who was 8 of 11 in the first half, his interception negated any advantage that could have come from a missed field goal by Rampage kicker Peter Martinez. Head Coach Weylon Harding explained, "We really didn’t establish a rhythm on offense."
New York’s defensive dominance would continue in the second half as Grand Rapids were shut out in the third quarter while Browder engineered two touchdown drives in the same period. The first score came on a play reminiscent of the fabled "Holy roller" touchdown of NFL fame. FB/LB Rich McCleskey received a pass from Browder and had the ball jarred loose by Rampage TE/DE Bryant Shaw. As the ball rolled loose on the Arena carpet, it was jostled and bounced from the Grand Rapids 10-yard line into the end zone, where New York WR/DB Angel Estrada swallowed it up.
The Dragons have been counting their blessings at home in recent weeks as a recovered fumble in Week 9 against Kansas City nearly resulted in a loss. In describing the recent good fortune Harding remarked, "obviously somebody’s living right around here." In this case, the recovery for a touchdown would be the beginning of the end for the Rampage as a fourth quarter touchdown would be the only time Grand Rapids would see the end zone in the entire second half of New York’s 48-24 victory.
In New York’s previous win over Kansas City, Harding lamented the team’s inability to close a team out. In that contest, the Dragons had an early lead that eventually disappeared and was nearly lost on the game’s final play. This week’s game was a throwback to when Harding took charge of the team just over a year ago. The Dragons were an opportunistic team that attacked defensively and capitalized on opportunities. While most teams in the Arena Football League rely primarily on their offense to carry them to victory, Harding has always emphasized defense. With the offense still evolving under their third starting quarterback, the defense has clearly started to hit its stride. Harding said, "I was probably more satisfied with the defensive overall effort… sometimes one side of the ball is going to have to carry the other, defense came through… tonight."
The evolution could not have come at a better time, with a stretch of four divisional games in their final six and an 0-2 divisional record, this Sunday’s game against the Desperados at home is critical if the team is to contend for another division title. Harding admitted, "I’d be lying if I said this game didn’t mean anything… It’s our true test... we want this one… in the worst way." As for whether his young team is ready for this type of test, "This team is getting a sense of itself.. They know what’s at stake… Nobody was terribly overexcited (after the win)... they know what’s coming… I feel like we’re going to be up for the challenge."
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.
