SaberCats add three just in time for Vegas
February 3, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Former San Jose SaberCats KEVIN McKENZIE and CALVIN SCHEXNAYDER along with 2003 af2 Lineman of the Year WES STEPHENS all signed free agent contracts with the Arena Football League team, the club announced today.
The SaberCats were forced to adjust their roster after losing starting WR/LB James Roe and OS Rodney Wright to injuries in the season opening loss to Utah on Jan. 28. All three newly signed players are expected to see action when the SaberCats battle division rival Las Vegas on Monday night.
Roe and Wright were placed on injured reserve due to their injuries and will be out a minimum of two weeks.
A member of the SaberCats during the 2003 campaign, McKenzie (5-11, 185, Washington State) played the last two seasons with Colorado helping the Crush to the ArenaBowl XIX title last season. He established a season career-high with 85 receptions during the 2004 season to earn All-Ironman team honors.
The former Washington State star has 224 receptions for 2,583 yards and 44 touchdowns during his four-year, 55-game AFL career.
Schexnayder (6-0, 195) enters his 11th season in the AFL and third with San Jose. An offensive specialist throughout most of his career, Shakes set a league record that still stands with 1,982 receiving yards in 1998 to help him win the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year award.
Originally signed as a free agent by the SaberCats on November 11, 2003, Schexnayder played in nine games with San Jose over two seasons before becoming a free agent following last year. During the 2004 season, Schexnayder became the 8th player in AFL history to amass 8,000 career receiving yards.
Stephens (6-4, 265), joins the SaberCats after playing for the Carolina Cobras in 2004 and the Nashville Kats last season. Prior to his AFL career, Stephens played two seasons under current San Jose defensive coordinator Kevin Guy with Tennessee Valley of af2. During the 2003 af2 season, the former defensive end and linebacker at Middle Tennessee State posted team records with 11.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles to earn league Lineman of the Year honors.
The SaberCats begin the longest road trip in franchise history when they play the first of five road games on Monday, February 6 at Las Vegas. The game against the Gladiators will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (PT) and can be heard on San Jose's flagship radio station KNBR 1050. The contest will also be shown live in the Bay Area on KBWB (WB20).
TRANSACTIONS
San Jose SaberCats - Signed WR/LB Kevin McKenzie, WR/LB Calvin Schexnayder and OL/DL Wes Stephens. Placed WR/LB James Roe and OS Rodney Wright on injured reserve.
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