Roster Moves Plentiful Over First Days Of Camp
February 6, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2008) - Just a few days into training camp the defending Arena Football League champion San Jose SaberCats are already making adjustments to their roster. The club announced the signings of offensive linemen Dwayne Morgan and Gene Frederic and fullback/linebacker Rich McCleskey while placing defensive lineman Kendrick Office on Refused to Report.
"It's an ongoing process," said SaberCats head coach and general manager Darren Arbet about the roster tweaking. "We're just looking for good football players. We're trying to make our team better."
Morgan (6-5, 300, Clemson) is a 10-year veteran of the Canadian Football League having played for the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts. He also enjoyed brief stints in the NFL with Atlanta, Detroit and Washington.
An All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick during his senior season at Clemson, Morgan joined the Tampa Bay Storm in 2007 for his first AFL campaign where he started all five games he played.
Frederic (6-3, 300, Memphis) comes to San Jose after playing the past two seasons in af2 with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and Memphis Xplorers. A two-time All-Conference USA team selection he became the Tigers' starting center his junior year.
McCleskey (6-1, 300, Nebraska-Omaha) is an AFL veteran having been with six teams in his five seasons. He enjoyed his finest season offensively in 2006 rushing for 71 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries adding eight receptions for 44 yards as a member of the New York Dragons.
A first-team All-Nebraska selection in college, McCleskey has also suited up for Las Vegas, Buffalo, Columbus, Austin and New Orleans during his AFL career.
HODGINS HANGS 'EM UP
Former San Jose State Spartan and seven-year NFL veteran James Hodgins, who signed with the SaberCats last November, decided to retire from professional football prior to the start of training camp.
Signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in April 1999, Hodgins spent four seasons as a blocking fullback for Marshall Faulk and played in two Super Bowl games (XXXIV, XXXVI) while with the Rams.
A product of San Jose's Oak Grove High School, Hodgins compiled 178 yards and three touchdowns on 37 receptions and added 31 yards on 15 rush attempts in 78 career regular season NFL games.
WATSON PAYS A VISIT
Steve Watson took part of his day on January 30 to visit Martin Murphy Middle School in San Jose to help promote the school's fundraising efforts. Watson spent a period speaking with the PE class about the importance of school and athletics before a spirited Q & A session.
"Anytime you can go out and get in the community and give back a little bit to show the appreciation they give to us on game days it's always a good feeling," Watson said. "You never know who's looking up to you so you always have to go out and give it your best every time and never be afraid to give."
Watson spent the lunch period signing team pictures for interested students and closed his visit by presenting Principal Dr. Barbara Nakasone with an official AFL football that he autographed.
"You have so many fans that do so much for us whether it's coming to games or coming to practice. If they can show up we can show up. It's always good and it's just a little time," Watson explained. "You never know who's looking at you or who's looking for a role model so I always want to be that person, that positive role model that kids can look up to."
Martin Murphy's Home & School Club is working with the SaberCats on the fundraiser. Half of the proceeds from all tickets sold by the staff and students to the SaberCats home opener on March 15 against the Arizona Rattlers will go directly to the school.
PRESEASON SCRIMMAGE
The Stockton Lightning of arenafootball2 will host the SaberCats and Kansas City Brigade in a preseason scrimmage on Tuesday, February 19, starting at 7:00 p.m. from Stockton Arena. This will be the second visit to Stockton for the defending and three-time ArenaBowl champion SaberCats. They battled the Grand Rapids Rampage in a similar event last February.
The Brigade enjoyed a breakout season last year posting a 10-6 record and advancing to the AFL playoffs for the first time in franchise history behind Coach of the Year Kevin Porter.
Tickets for the scrimmage contest are on sale and can be purchased for $5 (general admission seating) by calling the Stockton Arena ticket office at (209) 373-1700 or by visiting www.stocktontickets.com. Lightning season ticket holders will receive free admission to the game if 2008 season tickets are renewed or purchased by February 15.
CAMP PRACTICE INFORMATION
Training camp continues this week with a single practice Wednesday followed by two more two-a-day sessions. The players will enjoy their first day off on Sunday. All practice sessions are open to the media and public. Times are subject to change. In the event of inclement weather practice sites may vary. Contact the SaberCats media relations department for up-to-date practice information. Players and coaches will be made available for interviews at the conclusion of each practice session. San Jose's practice facility is located at 1095 Dunford Way in Sunnyvale.
Week One Practice Schedule
Wed., Feb. 6 8:15 am - 10:45 am
Thu., Feb. 7 8:15 am - 10:45 am 2:45 pm - 4:50 pm
Fri., Feb. 8 8:15 am - 10:45 am 2:45 pm - 4:50 pm
Sat., Feb. 9 8:15 am - 10:45 am
Sun., Feb. 10 OFF 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.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 6, 2008
- Soul sign OL Steve Edwards - Philadelphia Soul
- Dragons Report To Training Camp - New York Dragons
- Roster Moves Plentiful Over First Days Of Camp - San Jose SaberCats
- Revamped Rattlers Reving Up For 2008 - Arizona Rattlers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
