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Yes, Gwenyear, there are upsets in the AFL

by John Hahn
January 31, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats


"One game does'th not make'th a season." From the English philosopher, Gwenyear Sloshsaidthee.

If you believe that, then here's a deed for the HP Pavilion I will sell you.

Neither, does a loss for the San Jose SaberCats or a win for the new Utah Blaze give credence to what the entire 16-game schedule for each organization will bring.

And here's the HOWEVERS: 1. After winning 7 consecutive home openers, it put a dark cloud somewhere in the rafters of HP. 2. It gives the Salt Lake City-based Blaze a gargantuan physiological lift. 3. It will make head coach Darren Arbet's forces look at themselves in the mirror and say, "It was us who needs a whoopin' and we've got to work harder." 4. It will boost the spirits of the fans and the Blaze may captivate a sold-out Delta Center for the entire year. AND 5. It shows the parity we were speaking about in earlier columns and makes our early "Utah could sneak into second (in the Western Division)" even more prophetic.

NOT A ‘BIG LOSING' TEAM

That being said, no one is here to pat themselves on the back. Especially the SaberCats. It means some downright gut checking. Did the ‘Cats anticipate this would be like some expansion team of the 90s like the Portland Forest Dragons, Columbus Thunderbolts or the New Orleans Nights? Yes Gwenyear, there were teams in Columbus and New Orleans before the Destroyers and VooDoo.

None of those ‘big losing teams' is around now. But Utah and the Kansas City Brigade are not typical of expansion teams. The Blaze was healthy from the start with the likes of Joe Germaine, Orshawante Bryant, Siaha Burley and some experienced linemen, as is KC with Andy Kelly, B.J. Cohen, Steve Smith and Aaron Hamilton.

So we're cutting the expansion crap. Heck, these are some talented teams and they'll embarrass some of the "better" teams in the league, as did head coach/general manager Danny White's orange & black Blaze against the ‘Cats.

ROE, WRIGHT OUT EARLY

On a night when San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb was hit his target at a 70% clip, the SaberCats lost the luxury of outstanding two-way James Roe, whose head slammed down on a sideboard in the end zone when he caught the first ‘Cats score. The all-league performer sustained a concussion, was taken to a local hospital for overnight observation and released Sunday morning.

Along with that loss, San Jose receiver Rodney Wright sustained a sprained toe n the first series and was limited.

PAULEY, COLEMAN TAKE UP SLACK

Re-acquired Charles Pauley and Fred Coleman took up some of the slack catching 11 and seven passes respectively with the former San Jose Spartan Pauley grabbing three for TDs. Rookie Maquis Floyd also collared seven passes from Grieb.

WHITE CREDITS DEFENSE, KICKING

White credits both the defense and the kicking game for much of the Blaze' success Saturday.

"Our defense really was the difference tonight. They were able to win the battle up front and our secondary shut them down," he said. "Those are the main facets of the game. Protect yours and get after theirs and we really stepped up and made people notice tonight.

"Steve Videtich was worth every penny. It is so important to have a kicker who can get the ball to the net," White added. "One of the toughest things in our game is to get the ball off the net. Steve really made it difficult for them. He is consistent (6-for-6 on PATs and 2-for-2 on FG) and that is the reason why he is one of the League's all-time greats."

OFF THE NET NOTES FROM HONDO

When the AFL's website has that "Question of Day," don't you want to get in on the action and ‘dot' your opinion? Well, the question was: Which of these Saturday matchups does the visiting team have the best chance of winning? Your in-house prognosticator did select Nashville going to Long Guyland and whipping up on the New York Dragons. Sure enough, seven sacks later and a sterling effort by QB Clint Stoerner and the Kats came up big, 57-28.

In Austin, where the Wranglers took advantage of five Las Vegas turnovers, head coach Skip Foster said after the game: We have good players of a higher grade and they played up (to it)," he said on ‘The Zone' post-game show. "I hope they (the fans) saw the fine talent we have."...Upgrading all-around the team included new, spiffy uniforms; evident by the nice look on Sedriffic The Terrific (That's Sedrick Robinson) who signed as a ‘free' from Columbus...So, why didn't Las Vegas get the talented, versatile player?...First, Sedrick is getting more money than he's made since coming into the league in 2001. He's near $50,000 for the season with incentives.

Speaking of poor scheduling that leaves some teams at a disadvantage...Not only did San Jose see the wrath of the schedule makers, but Austin was dealt the same hand...Wranglers now go on the road for five games straight, closing at Tampa Bay and at Georgia, two of the more talented teams in the Southern Division...Austin next plays at home on Sunday, March 12 against the New York Dragons...But wait! There's more. Grand Rapids and Georgia play five of six in the middle of the season away from home...And, Philly has four straight on the road...The league does not discriminate. Or does it in scheduling?

Rushing to judgment doesn't necessarily mean a good thing... Former SaberCats' quarterback Nick Rolovich knows now he made a mistake... After being the backup QB to Mark Grieb last season, Rolovich told the Marin Independent Journal that he was courted so quickly by the Chicago Rush, he did just that...He was released by the Rush in camp but didn't get the word from the team's coaches or front office...He said he was told by starter-to-be Mike D'Orazio and saw the transaction on the internet..."I signed too early," he told Dave Albee...Then he went to Arizona, thinking he could win the backup to Sherdrick Bonner, but in a controlled scrimmage against Las Vegas, he was rolled over by a lineman who jumped offside and Rolo tore the labrum on his non-throwing shoulder...He was released by the Rattlers but will evaluate his football future after six months...He's only 27, so if he's healthy look for Nick to get another shot...

Say, C. David Baker, the commissioner of the AFL, is making the rounds as the season starts...Always a good interview, but the one he had with Dean Jackson, host of "Under The Roof" on Our Sports Central internet website, was superb...In fact, in the years around since Baker became the top cheese of the league (November of 1996), have I heard the 6-foot-9, 390 pounder, who once described himself as "a biscuit shy of 400 pounds," ...Doesn't matter, he was the most candid, forthright and relaxed as he's ever been heard with Dean...In fact, when asked if all the lower indoor leagues, including his own af2 level, were responsible because of the AFL and better for football, he said: "Anything that's good for football, is good for the AFL."...Baker also admitted that the C. ‘once stood for Carl.

Jerry Jones, owner of both the Dallas Cowboys and the Desperados, once echoed those same thoughts in this manner: "Whether it is Arena, indoor or whatever - it is all football and that's the business we are in. It doesn't matter what league or level, it's still the same game."...

Baker said the challenge is always solid ownership along with boosting attendance and a consistent diet of television exposure...He can be proud of his accomplishments: 1. In the last six years there have been nine expansion teams (8 NFL owners). 2. Attendance is up 41% over the last three seasons, and 3. More than 90% of this season's games are on television, at one level or another, with NBC and FSN leading the way.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 31, 2006


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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