April 22nd, 2009

WEEK FOUR PREVIEW

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WR/LB Alvin Ray Jackson continues to be one of the most productive Firebirds on both sides of the ball. Last week Jackson turned in a pair of fumble recoveries for touchdowns; the first from a Jose Harris sack/forced fumble on Manchester quarterback James Pinkney and the second on a Kenny Williams fumble during a kick return. In Week 3 Jackson caught two touchdown passes at home against Florida and recorded the team’s second interception of the season, picking Florida’s Chris Wallace in the endzone on the Firecats’ opening drive.

After taking just one week off as Albany’s top receiver, WR Christian Wise put up 139 yards for three touchdowns on six receptions in Week 4 to lead Albany in each category. Wise’s 441 yards and four touchdowns on the year lead the team and Wise ranks 10th in the league with 110.2 receiving yards per game. WR Anthony Rodriguez tops the Firebirds in receptions with 34.

FB Derek Adams Jr. has played in two games with the Firebirds this season and has led the team in rushing in both games. Last week Adam’s Jr. was given just one rushing attempt, but he made the most of it with a 6-yard touchdown rumble.

OL/DL David Tash joined the team via a trade from Manchester last week and he made his presence known in his first game against his former team. Tash registered five tackles, one sack and one forced fumble which led to a Firebirds defensive touchdown. Team-leader in tackles Kenneth Williams (DB) also notched five tackles in week four and added a team-high three pass break-ups. Williams leads all Firebirds defenders with 22 tackles on the season. Defensive Lineman Reggie Paramoure’s 3.5 tackles for loss (including 2 sacks) have him ranked 10th in the league in TFL per game.

Firebirds Pecks:
· Big Play Ray Under Center: After QB Brett Hall’s mid-week release, the Firebirds had just one healthy quarterback for Week 4 (starter Adam Bednarik). WR/LB Alvin Ray Jackson, a former Albany State quarterback, was listed as the team’s number two signal-caller. Albany’s leading scorer wore non-contact orange during practice and worked-out his arm during warm-ups, but stuck to WR/LB during all team-drills and did not take any snaps in Manchester.

· New Faces at Quarterback: Week 1 starter Stephen Wasil will return to non-contact drills this week and is expected to participate in team drills during Week 6. In the mean time, Head Coach Tony Bowick brought in QB Datwan Hemmingway for a two-day tryout.

· Tale of Two Halves: Through four games this year the Firebirds have scored 95 points in the first-half to just 47 in the second-half. Their opponents, on the other hand, have really turned it up after halftime with 124 points versus 96 first-half points.

· Kicker Putting Up Points: Kicker Brian Umstead ranks second on the team in scoring with 24 points. Umstead is 15-for-17 on PAT’s which ranks 4th in the league (91.7%) and his three field goals on seven attempts has him ranked third in field goal percentage (42.9) and tied for third in field goals per game (1.00). Three of Umstead’s four misses have come from more than fifty-yards out.

· Vena Returns to Albany: Pioneers QB Ryan Vena has surpassed the 20,000 passing-yard mark; he ranks 3rd All-Time in af2 history. Vena has also completed 400 TD Passes in his career, which also ranks 3rd All-Time in af2 history. Vena was Albany’s quarterback for three years (2002-2003, 2006) and holds franchise records for passing yards (12,023), passing touchdowns (213), pass attempts (1,527), pass completions (983), completions percentage (64.4%), passing interceptions (48), sacks taken (58), rushing attempts (212), rushing yards (652) and rushing touchdowns (56).

APRIL 6th, 2009

FIREBIRDS AND TIME WARNER CABLE PUT FANS IN THE GAME
Winners Will Call A Play With Coach Bowick At Home Games

ALBANY, NY – The Albany Firebirds of arenafootball2 and Time Warner Cable announced today plans to conduct an on-line contest at each home game during the 2009 arenafootball2 season where one fan will win the chance to become the Arm-Chair Coach of the game and coordinate a play call with Head Coach Tony Bowick.

Fans are directed to visit http://www.timewarnercable.com/Albany/about/community/sweepstakes for the chance to win. One entry will be selected for each home Firebirds game at the Times Union Center to receive four front row seats and the opportunity to coordinate one offensive play selection with Albany Firebirds Head Coach Tony Bowick. The deadline to enter each contest will be three days prior to each home game. Fans need only enter the contest once to become eligible for every home game of the 2009 season because with Time Warner Cable, you always get the best seat in the house, and now you can make the call.

The Albany Firebirds first home game is set for April 10th against the Florida Firecats in a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at the Times Union Center. Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale, for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.

MARCH 30th, 2009

Firebirds To Host Charity Bowl-A-Thon
Benefit To Raise Money For Ronald McDonald House Charities
 
ALBANY, NY– The Albany Firebirds of arenafootball2 announced today that the club will be hosting a Bowl-A-Thon to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The event will be held on April 5, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. at Spare Time East Greenbush. 
 
Fans are invited to join Firebirds Players, Coaches, and the Fabulous Flames Dance Team for an afternoon of bowling, food and family fun. For just $20 fans will enjoy three games of bowling with the Firebirds and receive two tickets to the Firebirds Home Opener on April 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Times Union Center. A portion of all proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
 
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, Inc. provides comfort, support and respite for families of seriously ill children in a compassionate and home-like environment through the operation of the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald House Family Room in the Children’s Hospital at AlbanyMedicalCenter. 
 
Spare Time East Greenbush is one of New York’s premier bowling centers. The center features a state of the art scoring system complete with an incredible light and sound system that will blow you away and much more! The bowling center also features a sports bar with a comfortable atmosphere, TV's, value priced pub style menu and a wide variety of entertainment.
Spare Time East Greenbush is located at 570 Columbia Turnpike, E. Greenbush, NY and can be reached by phone at (518) 477-9306. 
To sign up for the Ronald McDonald House Bowl-A-Thon please contact Eric Grundfast at 518-487-2213 or email him at egrundfast@albanyfirebirds.com.
 
Next up for the Firebirds is a Week 2 trip to face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, the defending East Division Champs, on Friday, April 3rd, a 7:30 pm kick off at Wachovia Arena. Albany will play their 2009 Home Opener on Friday, April 10th at 7:00 pm against the Florida Firecats at the Times Union Center.
 
Full and partial season ticket packages and single game tickets are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.
 

MARCH 25th, 2009

Albany Gearing Up For Season Opener In Ohio
Firebirds & Head Coach Tony Bowick To Debut Friday

2009 Record: 

 
0-0 (0-0 Home, 0-0 Road) – Streak: None – Tied-First Place, East Division, American Conference
 
Meet The Birds
 
The Firebirds wrapped up their training camp and spent this week getting ready for their season-opening game at MahoningValley. The biggest events of camp were the injuries of former UAlbany wide receiver Irani DeAraujo and Union College WR/DB Thomas Arcidiacono. The team also placed WR/LB Johnnie Butler and WR/DB Harry DeBerry on the injured reserve this past week. Despite the injuries, the Firebirds are still very deep at the wide receiver position heading into the 2009 season.
 
The Firebirds are returning just three players that saw action for the Albany franchise during the 2008 season. FB/LB Norman Bauer, DL Kevin Marchant and WR Mike Wall are back with the Firebirds. Bauer was a staple of Albany’s lineup in 2008, playing 12 games at fullback and offensive line and scoring his first career rushing touchdown on April 18, 2008 at Manchester. Marchant started at defensive line during Albany’s first six games in 2008, but had his campaign cut short due to injury. Wall made his af2 debut with Albany during their final game of 2008 on July 25th vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, making two receptions for 26 yards and returning two kickoffs for 32 yards.

WR/DB Kenny Williams returns to the team that gave him his af2 debut back in 2006. Over the last two seasons Williams has played in 22 games for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings and looks to bring his three-years of arena football experience to the young Firebirds squad. In six games for Bossier-Shreveport in 2008, Williams had 36 solo tackles, 2 interceptions and two pass break ups.
 
Plenty of newcomers adorn the Firebirds roster as they open the 2009 campaign. All eyes will be on the two new quarterbacks, Stephen Wasil and rookie Adam Bednarik. Wasil made his af2 debut in 2008 with the Texas Copperheads, playing in eight games and throwing for 1,205 yards and 15 touchdowns. Bednarik is new to arena football, but comes from a big time Division I college program, the University of West Virginia.
 
Week 1 Preview:
 
The Firebirds will see an interesting match up to open the season as they face a Mahoning Valley Thunder squad that has four players that were with Albany in 2008. The Thunder have brought in former Albany DB Clarence Curry, LB/DL Brenton Brady, OL Jerrick Jeffreys and DB Brandon Taylor to their lineup. On Wednesday the Thunder announced the return of former Conquest and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver C.J. Brewer. Albany is 0-2 against the Thunder in back-to-back season openers and Friday’s game will be the third straight year that the Firebirds will open the season at MahoningValley.
 
Week 1 Schedule:
All games are broadcast LIVE on af2TV free streaming video at www.albanyfirebirds.com
 
Friday, March 27 – 7:05 pm – Chevrolet Centre – Youngstown, OH
@ MahoningValley Thunder (0-0)
Tied-First Place East Division
This is the sixth all-time meeting between Albany and MahoningValley and it is the first of three meetings of the 2008 season. The Thunder have a 4-1 lead in the all-time series, and won the 2008 series 2-1.
Leading Passer: QB - Davon Vinson (#9)
Leading Rusher: FB - Brenton Brady (#33)
Leading Receivers: WR - Quorey Payne (#1), WR - Chris Shubert (#12) and WR - C.J. Brewer. 
Firebirds Pecks:
 
· OPENING WOES – The Firebirds will be attempting to break a two-year season-opener losing streak, having dropped their previous two openers against the Mahoning Valley Thunder. Albany lost to the Thunder 59-33 last year on March 29, 2008 and they lost 64-59 on April 6, 2007 at MahoningValley. Their last season-opening victory came three seasons ago with a 48-40 win at Green Bay on March 31, 2006.
 
· PLAYOFF DROUGHT – Albany has not been in the af2 playoffs in the last five seasons. The franchise won two East Division Titles in their first two years of operations (2002 & 2003), but have not seen post-season action since.
  
The Albany Firebirds will begin their 2009 regular season schedule on March 27th at MahoningValley, while their first home game is set for April 10th against the Florida Firecats at the TimesUnionCenter. Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.
 

MARCH 23rd, 2009

Team Kicks Off Weekly “Meet The Firebirds” This Monday
 
ALBANY, NY – The Albany Firebirds of arenafootball2 announced today that the club will once again host a “Meet The Firebirds” event every Monday night at The Sports Grill in Rensselaer during the 2009 arena football season. The Firebirds players and Fabulous Flames will be available for pictures and autographs as fans join them at the Sports Grill from 7-9 pm.
 
The Firebirds will provide ticket giveaways and other great prizes at each appearance, while the Flames will also be on hand to mingle with alongside Capital Region Football Fans. The Firebirds return to the field as Albany’s team this Friday, March 27th when they visit the Mahoning Valley Thunder in a 7:05 pm kick off at the Chevrolet Centre. Firebirds fans can watch all of the action for free on af2TV via www.af2.com.
 
The Sports Grill is the home of the 1 Pound Ribeye for just $9.99, plus Tommy’s Southern pride St. Louis smoked ribs, hand made chicken tenders and your choice of 20 draft beers from around the world. The Sports Grill features a large outside deck that boasts the best view of the city of Albany and offers traditional American fare in a comfortable, exciting environment with over twenty televisions. The Sports Grill is located at four Middle Mannix Rd Rensselaer and football fans can call (518) 283-4555 for more information.
 
The Albany Firebirds will begin their 2009 regular season schedule on March 27th at Mahoning Valley, while their first home game is set for April 10th against the Florida Firecats at the Times Union Center. Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.

MARCH 6th, 2009

Firebirds Announce Camp’s Final Attendees and Schedule
 
ALBANY, NY – The Albany Firebirds announced today that rookies James McDonald (OL/DL), Jeremy Zollarcoffer (OL/DL), Ryan Warren (OL/DL), Aaron Meredith (OL/DL), John Bugg (WR/DB), Marques McFarlin (FB/LB), Josh Kaltsas (WR/LB) and Anthony Santiago (WR) have all been assigned to the Firebirds. Additionally, the Firebirds announced details of the team’s training camp schedule which starts today.
 
Players reported today for Firebirds mini-camp for physical exams. Sunday, March 8th the team will have their first mini-camp workout at 5:00 pm at the Sportsplex of Halfmoon. Mini-camp will continue with 9:00 a.m. practices on Monday and Tuesday, also in Halfmoon, and Wednesday, March 11th marks the first official day of Firebird training camp. Training camp practices will take place at 9:00 a.m. every morning from Wednesday, March 11th to Friday, March 20th. Cuts will be made on Saturday, March 21st.
 
McDonald, 22, was an All-MAAC first team selection at defensive lineman in 2007. The 6’6” 275 lbs Iona product totaled 27 tackles (9 solo, 4 for loss), one pass break-up and 0.5 sacks in is senior campaign.
 
Zollarcoffer, 25, attended Lackawanna Junior College (Scranton, PA) for two years and recorded 10 sacks in his senior campaign. The 6’4” 295 lbs lineman attended New Mexico State in 2004 and then played for Morgan State in 2005 where he recorded 43 total tackles (10.5 for loss), 1 forced fumble and 0.5 sacks.
 
Warren, 24, played his college football at Eastern Arizona junior college. In 2008 the 6’1” 300 lbs center was selected to the All ACCAC first team and to the Western States Football League All-Conference second team.
 
Meredith, 24, come to Albany by way of Saint Paul’s College in Virginia. Listed at 6’6” 320 lbs, Meredith will be the biggest player in Firebirds training camp.
 
Bugg, 27, is listed as the lightest player whose attending training camp. the 6’1” 168 lbs wide-out played for West Vriginia State.
 
McFarlin, 24, played linebacker in college for Toledo. In 2005 the 6’1” 240 lbs defensive back totaled nine tackles (6 solo, 2.5 for loss) and one forced fumble in seven games.
 
Kaltsas and Santiago, both 22, finish-off the Firebird’s list of training camp attendees. Kaltsas, 6’4” 245 lbs played his college football for Easter Michigan. Santiago, 5’10” 185 lbs, played for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
 
The Albany Firebirds will begin their 2009 regular season schedule on March 27th at Mahoning Valley, while their first home game is set for April 10th against the Florida Firecats at the Times Union Center. Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.

MARCH 2nd, 2009

Four Linemen and Two Receivers Added to Training CampRoster
 
ALBANY, NY – The Albany Firebirds announced today that linemen Kevin Marchant (OL/DL), Anton Lindsay (OL/DL), Peter Martocci (OL/DL) and Lavon Ward (OL/DL) have all been assigned to the Firebirds by the af2 for the 2009 season. Additionally Albany announced that Johnnie Butler (WR/LB) and Christian Wise (WR/DB) have been added to the roster, bringing the announced training camp total to 26 players.
 
“The paperwork is finally done and training camp is less than two weeks away,” said Firebirds Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Tony Bowick. “I am really excited about this group. After all the tape I have seen of these guys I can’t wait to get on the field with them and get to know them personally.”
 
Marchant, 24, enters his second season in Albany and in the af2. Last year in six games with the Conquest, the 6’3”, 235 lbs defensive lineman totaled eight tackles, three sacks, three pass break-ups and one forced fumble. Marchant’s campaign was cut short midseason due to injury.
 
Lindsay, 25, is one of five training camp attendees who enter 2009 with at least two years of af2 experience. The 6’3”, 285 lbs Temple University product played four of the Peoria Pirates final five games in 2008 and recorded three solo tackles and one pass break-up. In 2007 Lindsay attended Calgary Stampeders training camp (CFL).
 
Martocci, 26, spent last season with the Albany Conquest and in one game, recorded one solo tackle. The 6’3”, 295 lbs guard was a three-year starter at C.W. Post and was selected to the 1st team All-Northeast 10 in 2005 and to the 2nd team All-Northeast 10 in 2004.
 
Ward, 23, enters his first full season in the af2 after spending last year with the Rio Grande Dorados. The 6’3”, 320 lbs lineman played his college football for American International College.
 
Butler, 27, enters his second season in the af2 after spending last season with the South Georgia Wildcats. In one game last season, the 6’3”, 221 lbs. Grambling State product recorded four solo tackles and two assisted tackles.
 
Wise, 23, also joins the Firebirds for his second af2 season after spending last year with South Georgia. The 6’1”, 176 lbs receiver notched four receptions for 46 yards and one touchdown in his lone game last season for the Wildcats.
 
The Albany Firebirds will begin their 2009 regular season schedule on March 27th at Mahoning Valley, while their first home game is set for April 10th against the Florida Firecats at the Times Union Center. Full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.