Nelson Joins NFL Falcons
August 1, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2007) - The 2007 ArenaBowl Champion San Jose SaberCats have lost a member of their title team, for the time being.
The Atlanta Falcons of the NFL signed free agent wide receiver Ben Nelson on July 30, just one day after the SaberCats won their third Arena Football League title in the last six seasons. The 27-year-old flew from New Orleans to Georgia on a 6 a.m. Monday flight, following the SaberCats 55-33 victory over Columbus in ArenaBowl XXI.
Nelson (6-3, 191, St. Cloud State) spent preseason time with the Minnesota Vikings in 2003 and made the team in '04, appearing in three games as a special teams member. He was also invited for a camp tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006.
"Ben is an outstanding athlete that has the skills to play at the next level and if the right situation presents itself, he definitely has a shot," said head coach and general manager Darren Arbet. "The SaberCats organization wishes him the best of luck but we will not be disappointed if he is back in the green and gold next season."
Nelson, who was named the Arena Football League's 2006 Rookie of the Year, played in 11 games in 2007 and recorded 101 receptions, 1,257 receiving yards and 25 TDs. During the postseason, Nelson helped San Jose earn their third ArenaBowl championship in the last six years by catching 19 passes for 201 yards and 8 TDs.
Wearing uniform No. 15 on the training camp roster, Nelson has been unavailable for comment while attending Falcons' camp in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Head coach Bobby Petrino, however, did field a question regarding the expectations the club has for Nelson.
"We'd like to see what he can do," Petrino said on the Falcons' website. "He's tall and fast, catches the ball well. It'll be fun to see how he does out here."
A premier franchise in the AFL, the San Jose SaberCats have captured three ArenaBowl titles, seven Western Division championships, eight consecutive playoff appearances and own the league's best regular season record this decade.
Deposits on 2008 season tickets are now being accepted. Call a SaberCats' ticket sales executive at (408) 573-5577 to reserve your seats today.
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