Keys To SaberCats Success
July 26, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 26, 2002) â It began on April 20th. That Saturday, the San Jose SaberCats started their run to Arena Football League history. Who would have envisioned a record-setting campaign three months later?
Following their record-setting 13-1 season and their third straight Western Division championship, the SaberCats open the 2002 AFL playoffs as the top-seeded team with a quarterfinal game on Saturday, August 3, at the Compaq Center against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.
The SaberCats came within one game of the first perfect season in AFL history. Their quest for perfection was ended by the Arizona Rattlers on July 12 after a league record 12 consecutive wins to start the season. With seconds to go in that game and the chance to keep their undefeated record intact, the SaberCats missed a chance at victory by fingertips. A last second pass to James Hundon glanced off his hands ending the league record streak.
"It's not the a loss to Arizona that's disappointing but being defeated by a division opponent," said SaberCats head coach Darren Arbet.
The SaberCats snapped the old AFL record of 12 wins in a season, which was previously held by six teams, including the 2000 San Jose team. Not since the 1972 Miami Dolphins has a pro football team gone undefeated and untied in a season. The question remains of how the SaberCats were able to exceed all expectations and set a new Arena League record in addition to being just one play away from a perfect season.
"The key to all of our success resides in the players themselves. Due to their endless effort in both practices and games, as well as the coaches evolving strategy," Arbet said.
Arbet, the fourth-year head coach, is the mastermind behind San Jose's record setting run. Over the last three seasons, the SaberCats have gone 35-7 under his guidance and are the only team to earn a first-round playoff bye in each season.
Arbet's coaching philosophy, which has allowed his team to be so successful, resides in focusing on one game at a time.
"We enter each game with the same intensity, no matter who we're playing; whether it's regular season or playoffs," Arbet said.
Arbet has averaged over 10 wins per season during his four years and his .732 regular season winning percentage is the third-best in the history of the AFL among coaches with at least 10 wins.
Much of the success the SaberCats have enjoyed can be attributed to their high-powered offense. San Jose scored 878 points during the 2002 season, the second highest total in league history, and reached the 50 point mark in all 14 games.
Offensive coordinator Terry Malley believes the SaberCats indestructible offense derives from the relationship between the quarterbacks and receivers.
"We've done a good job finding players who work extremely well together," noted Malley. "Mark Grieb and John Dutton are both extremely accurate and get the ball to the open receivers. Their progression has gotten us to where we are today."
Arbet, Malley and company have assembled a veteran team which hopes to reach the ArenaBowl for the first time. The SaberCats look to veterans Barry Wagner, Darrin Kenney, Bob McMillen and Joe Jacobs, who have previously won ArenaBowl championships, to provide leadership in their quest to be the 2002 AFL champions.
"It's good to have players who have experienced the championship game," said Malley. "But we need every individual to step up in order to get through the playoffs."
The SaberCats will host the lowest remaining seed from the first round of the playoffs which take place from July 26-28. The quarterfinal playoff game will be televised live by ESPN2 and will take place on Saturday, August 3rd at noon. Tickets are available and can be purchased at all Northern California TicketMaster outlets and the Compaq Center ticket office.
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