New Mexico Dragons

[Tarlam!]

You're not suggesting this team is only a fantasy team; The stadium I've been sitting in for nigh to 6 months is in my head, and that's NOT warm beer I'm slurping????????

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING MADAM PREZIDENT????????????????


M U C K O M U C K

[BallHawk]

Albuquerque, New Mexico(AP)-- The opening season began with cheers from the Dragons' fans, but in the end it was the visiting Falcons team that was cheering. The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Mexico Dragons, 31-22. The game started well for the Dragons, who thanks to a 57 reception by receiver Terrel Owens. The Dragons drive stalled however, on the Falcons 8 yard line, ending with a dropped pass in the end zone by WR Reche Caldwell.

"I just dropped it", said Caldwell, "I had it in my hands and it just hit the ground.

Longwell hit the field goal afterwards to make it 3-0. The Falcons retaliated with a 43 yd field goal by Paul Edinger. Once again the Dragons had a strong drive, but QB Daunte Culpepper threw a ball into double coverage and Kevin Mathis came down with it. This lead to a 5-yard Justin Griffith TD reception from Michael Vick.

Trouble struck again, when in the opening 2nd quarter drive for the Dragons came to an end, with a Reggie Bush fumble. The next play Michael Vick struck Wide Receiver Michael Jenkins for a 25 yard Touchdown pass.

"I was supposed to run a drag on that play, but I saw Charles(Woodson) hesitate and I just ran the streak, and Mike made a perfect pass."

The Dragons didn't give up, though. Culpepper acted quickly with a 5 play drive, that concluded with a 20 yard Reche Caldwell Touchdown grab. To end the half Longwell hit another chip shot field goal.

The second half started with another field goal from Ryan Longwell, the third field goal from the Red Zone. All of Ryan's field goals were from 29 yards or under.

"We just couldn't move the ball in the Red Zone," said rookie runningback Reggie Bush," We got in there and we just shut down. We need to improve on that if we want to be competitive."

Two consecutive touchdown runs by Warrick Dunn, both for 4 yards, in the 4th quarter, put the game out of reach for the Dragons. Culpepper hit William Henderson for a 19 yard Touchdown, right before the 2 minitute warning, but a missed two-point conversion decided the game right there. The Dragons were unable to recover an onside kick and the Falcons ran the clock out from there.

Here's what coach Harvey Wallbangers had to say,

"We couldn't move the ball in the red zone, and in the clutch we couldn't convert. Our defense didn't get the job done. Warrick Dunn ran all over us, and Michael completed all but two passes. That's unacceptable."

"We need to improve, believe me, there is going to be some extremely tired football players at practice this week."

[BallHawk]

If you want specific stats from certain players, I'd be happy to do so, but posting all of them is too time consuming, give me a player or several players, and I'll post their stats up.

[MJZiggy]

I'd love to see the passing stats and rating.

[BallHawk]

Here you go, MJ.

D.Culpepper- 15 completions, 26 attempts, 263 yards 2 TD, 2 INT, 57% cmpl. rate, 10.1 average, long pass 57.

M.Vick- 19 completions, 21 attempts, 150 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 90% cmpl. rate, 7.1 avg, long pass 25, 4 rushes, 36 yards.

[BallHawk]

Greg Ellis had a very strong game, though.

[MJZiggy]

Anyone my GM should consider firing?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Michael Vick went 19 for 21 throwing the ball. Benching the entire secondary is a serious consideration.

[MJZiggy]

You're the coach...

[Bretsky]

Michael Vick went 19 for 21 throwing the ball. Benching the entire secondary is a serious consideration.

I think you did a pretty good job considering you prepared for the Browns the entire offseason and with the last minute schedule changes you had to scrap your game plan and create another.

[BallHawk]

Your teams biggest problem was converting in the redzone. You had 4 attempts that ended in a field goal, and one the ended in an interception. Thomas Jones got the start, but neither he, nor Bush, looked impressive. One good note, though, was that Culpepper was never sacked.

[Tarlam!]

I AM SICK OF LOSING!!!!!!!!! IF I WANT MASOCHISM, I'LL BECOME A GREEN BAY PACKERS FAN!!!!!!!

TH ENTIRE FRONT AND BACK OFFICE SHOULD RESIGN!!!!! THE ONLY ONE WHO SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING IS THE KID WITH THE KEYBOARD!!!!!!


M U C K!!!!! RED ZONE!!!!!!

[Deputy Nutz]

Well I went to the Ohio St vs Texas game on Saturday night and saw some pretty impressive players. First off, Texas is only as experienced as their QB and that really hurts them against a team of the caliber of Ohio St. Let me tell ya, he may be short but Troy Smith has a great understanding of the offense, and I think he has the throwing mechanics of a NFL caliber QB. He has the arm strength to make that tough throw to the sideline, and he is calm in the pocket. He looks over all his options and didn't force the ball to anyone of his receivers.

When watching Ohio St. play it is hard not to notice a player like Ted Ginn Jr. He is like watching a top notch race horse run against clydesdales. He is swift and smooth, not to mention fast as hell and boy for a guy that hasn't really learned the WR position he sure can catch the ball, especially on his TD catch. It was a total over the shoulder catch never breaking stride on the ball.

I also took notice of several Texas players, Justin Blalock is a road grader at guard, and Lemus Swede seemed to disappear under the coverage of the Ohio St secondary.

Michael Griffin was asked to play over the top coverage on Ginn all night long, but Griffin's biggest impact was playing in the box most of the night when he wasn't in double coverage verse Ginn.

[BallHawk]

Dragons are in Minnesota next week. Brad Johnson is questionable with a high ankle sprain and so is Chester Taylor with a mild concussion.

[MJZiggy]

Coach, is there a game plan?