Nelson named to AFL All-Rookie Team
May 16, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 16, 2006) - San Jose offensive specialist BEN NELSON, who averaged over 127 receiving yards per game in his 11 starts, was named to the Arena Football League's All-Rookie Team, the league announced today.
Nelson, who became the team's starting OS in Week 6, had 94 receptions for a team-high 1,405 yards, the second-highest total by a rookie in AFL history and the fifth-highest total in franchise history.
"Ben was a difference-maker for us," said SaberCats' head coach Darren Arbet of the St. Cloud (Min.) State product. "He came in and did more than we ever expected."
The former Minnesota Viking tied a team season record with seven 100-yard receiving games and had six or more catches in all 11 starts. He fell six yards shy of breaking the AFL record for receiving yards by a rookie, which was set this season by Austin's Derrick Lewis, who played in all 16 games for the Wranglers.
Nelson is the fifth San Jose player to earn All-Rookie Team recognition and first since DS Clevan Thomas and FB/LB James Williams were named to the 2002 team.
The Orlando Predators and New York Dragons placed a league-high two players each on the 2006 All-Rookie Team. The complete team is listed below.
POS. PLAYER, TEAM
QB Sonny Cumbie, Los Angeles
FB/LB Anthony Dunn, Colorado
OL/DL Khreem Smith, Chicago
OL/DL Greg White, Orlando
OL/DL Delbert Cowsette, New York
WR/LB Aaron Boone, Kansas City
WR/DB Javarus Dudley, Orlando
OS Ben Nelson, San Jose
DS Dahnel Singfield, New York
DS Chris Brown, Georgia
K Todd France, Philadelphia
The SaberCats begin their drive to ArenaBowl XX Las Vegas when they host an American Conference semifinal playoff game at 12:30 p.m. (PT) on either Saturday, May 27 or Sunday, May 28. The exact day will be determined later this week.
Tickets for the first playoff game, which will be priced the same as a regular season game, are available and can be purchased through any Northern California Ticketmaster outlet, online at ticketmaster.com or at the HP Pavilion box office. More information is also available at http://www.sanjosesabercats.com.
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