AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Colorado at San Jose playoff preview

by John Hahn
Published on July 5, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


COLORADO CRUSH (7-10) at SAN JOSE SABERCATS (11-5). On ESPN, Saturday, July 5, at 12 Noon, (Pacific).

SABERCATS - Home sweet home for head coach and general manager Darren Arbet, the winningest AFL mentor in the past five seasons. "Business like approach," is what he says about the teams' practice approach to the playoffs. No one knows that better than QB Mark Grieb, WR James Roe, DBs Clevan Thomas and Omarr Smith along with lineman George Williams and FB Brian Johnson. If the regular season is any test, especially when San Jose won 6 straight to close out the season, this is truly the way the team earns its way to ArenaBowls. Winning three Abs in the past seven seasons is the mark of a champion. Closing out the season strong, also is indication of the team's strength. In 2007, the SaberCats ran off 10 consecutive wins to end the season, then added three more in the playoffs and ArenaBowl XXI. In 2006, winning of 8 of 9 was important, in 2004 it was 4 of 5, 6-of-7 in 2003 and four in a row, following a 13-0 start. This year, Grieb matched his 100 TDs of last season, had 4,613 yards, just five more than 2007, and connected on 68.5% of his passes. Three favorite targets in Roe (102 grabs, 31 TDs), Cleannord Saintil (120-35) and Rodney Wright (134-24). That totals 90 scores on 356 catches for theCats' trio one out of every every 4 passes a touchdown reception. The ‘SaberCats on defense, Marquis Floyd, Smith and Thomas total 22 interceptions and 45 of the teams' 61 pass break ups. This year's pass rush was superb as LB Steve Watson (9 sacks), and DLs Alan Harper (4), Ron Jones (5), Garrett McEntyre (6) and Williams (3) totaled 27 of the teams' 30 sacks. Rookie DL Andrew Browning also contributed one sack in the second to last two game. This combination is deadly for any opponent.

CRUSH - This Denver-based team wins ugly. Plain and simple in asking how a team that won only two of its last seven games even made it to the playoffs. Before winning their last two contests at Arizona and at home against Kansas City, the Crush had lost 5 straight, including three by a total of 17 points. Credit some gutsy play by head coach Mike Dailey's crew. Colorado demoralized and frustrated Utah, 49-44, in the ugliest playoff game, but it was the Crush' defense. A pair of key sacks, John Syptak's net fumble recovery, which should have earned him Defensive Player of the Game, and Jason Harmon's interception were key to the win. It was only Harmon's 2nd INT of the season and the other sack was by DL Aaron McConnell, who has a team-leading 10. As a team, the Rocky Mountain High team has 22 to the opponents 6. Forget the tackles by Rashad Floyd, he finally emerged as a ‘true' defender this season with 9 INTs and 23 pass breakups. On offense, you can always count on QB John Dutton, who sometimes his volatility gets him in trouble, not only with his players, but he lost focus for a few minutes at Salt Lake City when someone said something about his ‘family' from the stands. Dutton's ArenaBowl rings (San Jose 2002, Colorado 2005) prove he's a winner. In the 2008 regular-season, the 8-year AFL pro had 94 TD passes (66% completions) and 4,547 yards, the 5th consecutive season he has thrown for more than 4,000. The biggest offensive threat at Utah was Wendall Williams, in only his 4th Crush game, he caught 13 passes for 123 yards and three TDs. The 6-foot Williams, who also plays DB, was acquired late in the season after Chad Owens went down to a knee injury. He adds to Ben Nelson and Willie Quinnie's 30 TD production each on the season. The Crush have Grand Rapids to thank for defeating Arizona, 48-41, Monday night and giving them another crack at the SaberCats. The Rampage (7-10) will play at Chicago Sunday.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 5, 2008


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