McIntyre Has Options To Regain Roster Spot And Playing Time
February 15, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2008) - With two weeks of training camp nearly complete, veterans, as well as rookies, continue to vie for spots on the defending champion San Jose SaberCats 2008 roster. Defensive lineman Garrett McIntyre is considered a veteran after being with the club all of last season, but with just one game played under his belt, rookie status seems more appropriate.
The 2005 Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year with Fresno State, McIntyre sustained a high ankle sprain in his only game last season and must regain the form that earned him a spot on the 2007 ArenaBowl champion's roster.
"In this game the more positions you can play the better your chances are of getting out on the field," McIntyre said about maximizing his opportunity to claim a roster spot and playing time this season. "Whenever I get a chance to play a new position I'll take it."
That new position happens to be linebacker. Considered small for a defensive lineman in today's game, McIntyre has embraced the chance to show his athletic ability at the 'Jack' linebacker spot.
"They've (coaches) been working me there as a changeup. It's a guy that gets out in coverage and I think they feel comfortable with me running out there in space and possibly playing that position," McIntyre state after Friday's practice. "I think I have a pretty good awareness of where the ball is and I think I can get places quickly."
McIntyre will most likely get his chance to show his abilities when the SaberCats scrimmage the Kansas City Brigade on Tuesday night in Stockton.
KANSAS CITY COMING
After two weeks of battles with teammates during training camp, the SaberCats will finally get a look at some live competition when the Kansas City Brigade come to town for a joint practice Monday morning at Woodside High School and a scrimmage Tuesday night in Stockton.
"It's an opportunity to see what we can do," said SaberCats quarterback Mark Grieb. "From an offensive standpoint we are too familiar with (defensive backs) Clevan (Thomas), Omarr (Smith) and Marquis (Floyd) and we know what they are capable of. We go against the best everyday in practice now we can see how we do facing guys we're not so used to seeing."
Garrett McIntyre was not so diplomatic in his response. "You get tired going against each other day in and day out so we're looking forward to Kansas City coming in so we can have some fresh meat."
The Brigade knows the way to San Jose and the SaberCats will be heading to Kansas City as well. The teams meet during the regular season at the new Sprint Center in Kansas City on March 29.
ROSTER MOVES
As training camps continue to roll along around the Arena Football League, rosters continue to be overturned and restructured. San Jose is no exception, signing a total of five players since hump day. WR Samora Goodson and OL Palauni Ma-Sun were added Wednesday, WR Darrell Jones and FB Daimon Shelton signed on Thursday and DB Nashville Dyer was the newest addition on Friday.
Goodson (6-3, 188, SE Missouri St.) was a two-year starter at Southeast Missouri State, collecting 37 catches for 439 yards and 4 TDs in 22 contests.
Ma-Sun (6-5, 320, Oregon) lettered with the Pac-10 Ducks during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He was part of an O-line unit in 2005 that averaged 134.3 rushing yards per game and allowed NFL prospect Jonathan Stewart to rush for over 1,000 yards in 2006.
Jones (5-9, 190, Cal Poly-SLO) played for the Arizona Rattlers the last two arena league seasons, being utilized as a wideout and kick returner. In 2007, Jones returned 57 kicks for 1,118 yards and 2 TDs. Jones finished as the top receiver in Cal Poly-SLO's history with 177 catches and 2,460 yards from scrimmage.
Shelton (6-0, 262, Sacramento St.) was selected in the 6th round of the 1997 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent nine seasons in the NFL, playing in 133 games with three (Chicago, Buffalo, Jacksonville) different teams.
CAMP PRACTICE INFORMATION
Following a single practice Saturday morning, the SaberCats will have a day off before welcoming the Kansas City Brigade. The teams will hold a joint practice on Monday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Woodside High School.
Week Two Practice Schedule
Sat., Feb. 16 8:30 - 10:45 am
Sun., Feb. 17 OFF DAY
Mon., Feb. 18 9:00 - 11:00 am
(Joint practice with Kansas City @Woodside HS)
Tue., Feb. 19 Scrimmage vs Kansas City, 7:00 pm
(Stockton Arena)
Wed., Feb. 20 NO ON-FIELD PRACTICE
Thu., Feb. 21 8:30 - 10:45 am 3:00 - 4:35 pm
Fri., Feb. 22 8:30 - 10:45
Sat., Feb. 23 Cut Down Day
A premiere franchise in the Arena Football League, San Jose has won three ArenaBowl championships and captured seven Western Division titles, eight consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league's best regular season record this decade. The SaberCats begin defense of their AFL title on March 3 in Chicago on ESPN2.
Season tickets for the 2008 season are now on sale. Contact a SaberCats' account executive at (408) 573-5577 to reserve your seats today. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the HP Pavilion box office and all Ticketmaster locations. More information is also available on the team's official website www.sanjosesabercats.com.
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