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Coaches give insight into training camp

February 8, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2007) - With the first week of training camp quickly coming to a close, members of the SaberCats coaching staff have had time to evaluate the talent on the squad and give their views on the makeup of the 2007 SaberCats team.

First year SaberCats assistant Jeff Jarnigan, who will handle the club's defensive linemen and special teams, has been impressed. "I think it's going pretty well," he said. "To be as young as we are we have a good group of core leaders that are taking the younger guys under their wing and bringing them along. I like how we're progressing."

Taking over a special teams group that struggled at times last season, Jarnigan is pleased with what has transpired with his unit since training camp began.

"We've been kind of in an installation phase these first three days and today was our first live opportunity to go against ourselves, and I feel like they did a pretty good job," he stated. "They are giving me great effort and I think that's what it takes to be a good special teams group."

Now in his second season as the SaberCats' defensive coordinator, Kevin Guy has used the first week of camp to work with a defense-only group while implementing schemes and adjusting to new rules.

"We would be able to have three true pass-rushers out there every time we hit the field. In the past you sometimes had to play with an offensive guard or a center," Guy explained. "At the linebacker spot you are going to be able to have a true linebacker in as a pass-rusher and pull your jack linebacker. The thing that could get canceled out is if the teams are able to go out and get some good offensive lineman.

"Defensively I like the group of guys we've got," he continued. "I think there is a lot of potential up there with the pass rush and we've got some good solid defensive backs that have a lot of athleticism. Right now we're just teaching them our philosophy and we've got to get better at finishing plays. For some guys this is new stuff so it's going to take reps. The more reps they get the better they'll get at it."

FORMER AFL LEGEND VISITS SABERCATS CAMP

Former AFL great WR/LB Gary Compton, currently the head coach at Bakersfield of arenafootball2, made an appearance at the SaberCats training camp on Thursday. About to begin his second season as the leading man with the Blitz, Compton and Blitz line coach Mike Cooper observed practices.

"We're trying to look at some different things with the free substitution rule and look at different things you can do offensively and defensively," said Compton, who played 13 seasons in the AFL.

Some players who don't make an AFL roster after camp may end up playing in the deuce. "I called Coach Arbet and wanted to come out and scout," Compton continued. "We're also going to Los Angeles and Las Vegas to kind of tour around and check out players that might be on the bubble and see if we can't bring some of those players down to Bakersfield."

Compton spent seven of his 13 years in the AFL with the Milwaukee Mustangs and played in some memorable games against San Jose. Asked about a game against the SaberCats during the 1999 season, in which he scored the apparent game-winning touchdown with 11 seconds remaining, only to see San Jose's Steve Papin take the ensuing kickoff the length of the field giving the SaberCats an improbable win, Compton responded, shaking his head, "Papin!"

I guess he remembered that one.

After devoting a good portion of his life to playing in the AFL, a coaching career seemed like a natural progression for Compton. "This is what I want to do. I love this game and I've been around it a long time so I try to give back to these guys what I've learned."

AFL vs. arenafootball2

Three players and an assistant coach in San Jose's training camp were participating at the af2 level last season.

Making the transition from one league to another could be, and usually is, challenging. The new SaberCats give their perspective on the differences between the two leagues.

"The thing that stands out the most is detail," said linebacker Steve Watson, who played the last two seasons with the Arkansas Twisters and led the af2 with 16.0 sacks last year. "The coaches pay a lot more attention to detail. Stepping in the gaps, making the blocks, the coaches are really attentive here. The coaches are a lot more intense; it's a lot more competitive. That being the case it's a lot tougher on the body."

"I go right to the talent level," said former Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz lineman Barrett Allen. "You have talent in af2 but it seems like there are just a few more on the field out here. Everybody is out here battling and it's exciting, I get kind of a rush out of it. Plus, you get paid more. You also have more coaches and they are more specialized so they can take time and actually critique what you are doing. You have more eyes out here so they see more things that go wrong. There is a whole lot more communication all the way around."

Kicker A.J. Haglund, a teammate of Allen's at Oklahoma City last season, had this to say, "The difference here is that it is more serious. Everyone is trying to get their spot so everything is taken a bit more seriously. Everything is more professional here and more business-like. In the af2, it seems everything is more for fun."

Jeff Jarnigan, who coached both Allen and Haglund with the Yard Dawgz last year, had a more coach-like response. "I think the schemes are the biggest difference. You see a lot more coverages. I think the offenses in the af2 don't really run a lot of the same packages because you just don't have as much practice time with the players. In the AFL you're able to coach them better, in the af2 the guys are still working during the day and trying to make ends meet by playing football at night. You don't have as much meeting time with them so you're not able to put in some of the more advanced schemes on both sides of the ball. I think you have better pass protectors and pass rushers in the AFL, but I think every af2 team has a guy on each side of the ball that could come in and compete on an AFL team."

CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE

The SaberCats will enjoy their first off day from practice on Saturday before resuming two-a-days on Sunday and Monday. The team will then await the arrival of Grand Rapids for a joint practice session on Feb. 14 and a scrimmage game in Stockton on Feb. 15. All practice sessions are open to the media and public with times subject to change. In the event of inclement weather practice sites may vary. Contact the SaberCats media relations department for up-to-date practice information (408) 573-5587. Players and coaches will be made available for interviews at the conclusion of each practice session

Training Camp Practice Schedule

Fri., Feb. 9 9:00 am - 10:45 am 3:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Sat., Feb. 10 OFF DAY

Sun., Feb. 11 9:00 am - 10:45 am 3:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Mon., Feb. 12 9:00 am - 10:45 am 3:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Tue., Feb. 13 9:00 am - 10:45 am

Wed., Feb. 14 9:00 am - 11:00 am (practice with Grand Rapids at Woodside HS)

Thu., Feb. 15 Scrimmage game with Grand Rapids (6:30 pm Stockton Arena)

Fri., Feb. 16 No On-Field Practice

TICKET INFORMATION

Season and group tickets for the 2007 season are available by contacting a sales representative at (408) 573-5577. Individual game tickets ranging from $17 to $52 are on sale and can be purchased through any Northern California Ticketmaster outlet, online at ticketmaster.com or the HP Pavilion box office.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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