SaberCats Add Five to Open Free Agency
September 26, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, CA - The SaberCats today announced the additions of five players to their 2012 roster to open free agency. San Jose welcomed back OL Ailao Eliapo along with former Spokane Shock DB Ruschard Dodd-Masters and three others in DL Chris Lewis, OL Joe Tonga and WR Doug Pierce.
"We wanted to be aggressive at the beginning of free agency," said Owner/Head Coach Darren Arbet. "Ailao was a solid performer for us after joining the team in free agency and Ruschard was productive for Spokane after starting in 15 games for the Shock. We feel all five players will be big for us as we head towards the 2012 season."
Eliapo (6-2, 310, San Jose State) started in all six games in which he played for the SaberCats. He was a part of a unit that finished tied for fifth in the AFL after allowing only 22 sacks on the season. Eliapo also posted two receptions for 39 yards. Over four seasons at San Jose State Eliapo played in 41 games (27 starts), earning 2010 second-team All-WAC honors.
Dodd-Masters (6-0, 185, UNLV) played in 16 games (15 starts) as a rookie for the Spokane Shock. In his first season in the AFL, Dodd-Masters finished third on the team with 78.0 tackles to go along with six passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. A threat in the return game, he placed second on Spokane with 30 returns for 485 yards (16.2 average) and a touchdown. A four-year letterman at UNLV, Dodd-Masters played in 45 games for the Rebels, totaling 159 tackles, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions and five tackles for loss. A native of Richmond, CA, Dodd-Masters played at De Anza High School.
Lewis (6-3, 270, Fresno State) played three seasons for the Bulldogs where he posted 39 tackles, 4.5 for loss to along with 2.0 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. A native of Fresno, CA, Lewis played at Clovis West (CA) High School where he posted nine sacks as both a senior and junior, earning multiple honors throughout his high school career.
Tonga (6-4, 300, Indiana (PA)) spent the 2010 offseason with the New Orleans Saints after playing his senior season for Division II Indiana (PA). Before transferring to Indiana, he spent a year at Florida State where he participated in 11 of 13 games for the Seminoles after transferring from Mount San Antonio College. Playing two years for the Mounties, Tonga earned All-California, all-league and all-district honors as a sophomore. A native of Pomona, CA he attended Taylorsville (UT) High School where he earned all-state second-team honors as a senior while helping lead his team to a state championship as a sophomore.
Pierce (6-5, 210, Friends) posted 91 receptions for 1,693 yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons for the Falcons. As a senior, he posted career-highs in receptions (54) and receiving yards (904) to lead Friends. Pierce's 904 yards were also good for 15th in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. A native of Arp, TX he attended Arp High School.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from September 26, 2011
- Shock Make Splash in Free Agency Market - Spokane Shock
- SaberCats Add Five to Open Free Agency - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers Sign Former New England Patriot - Arizona Rattlers
- Rattlers Sign Dual Threat QB; Texas A&m Alum - Arizona Rattlers
- Storm Sign QB Nick Hill - Tampa Bay Storm
- Command Makes Splash in Free Agency, Signs QB Nate Davis for 2012 - Kansas City Command
- Barnstormers Open Free Agency with Two Signings - Iowa Barnstormers
- Sharks Add Two New Players - Jacksonville Sharks
- Pro Football Has Finally Arrived in San Antonio - AFL
- Rattlers Sign 13 Players to Kick off Unrestricted Free Agency - Arizona Rattlers
- Olson Offically Rounds out Coaching Staff - Spokane Shock
- Garcia Elects Free Agency - Jacksonville Sharks
- Wasil and Smith Set to Return for 2012 - Kansas City Command
- Force Re-Sign Eight Core Players - Georgia Force
- Command Visits Elementary School Read-In - Kansas City Command
- Soul Re-Sign Wide Receiver Donovan Morgan - Philadelphia Soul
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.
