SaberCats and Rampage enjoy spirited practice session

February 14, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2007) - There was no love lost this Valentine's Day as the San Jose SaberCats and Grand Rapids Rampage, foes in the Arena Football League's American Conference, gathered for a spirited joint practice session Wednesday morning at Woodside High School.

"I thought the guys played hard," said SaberCats' head coach and general manager Darren Arbet. "Some guys stepped up and played a little better than we thought they would play."

The practice was also an opportunity for the players to show what they have learned after nearly two weeks of training camp.

"I thought it was great," said quarterback Scott Rislov. "It was just good to see other people and to get some different looks from the defense because you get so used to what we do that you go out there and you see what other people are trying to do to you. It makes you understand the offense better."

"It feels good to go against somebody in a different jersey," said DB Omarr Smith. "The young guys did a great job today. Our young defensive backs are really good. We just have to look at film and see what we didn't do right, work on that, and then tomorrow it's on."

On Thursday the teams will conduct a scrimmage at the Stockton Arena starting at 6:30 p.m. The scrimmage will be conducted using traditional Arena Football League rules.

"We're just going to play everybody," said Arbet about his plans for the scrimmage. "We'll put guys in different positions and see how we can align the team and go from there."

"That'll be just good stuff," added Rislov. "Without any live bullets flying at you, you never really know where you are. I think the game is actually cleaner (than the practice). When you get out there everyone is going hard everyone has to respect the possibility of getting beat deep and it opens up the whole field, so it'll be good for everybody and it's something we're definitely looking forward to."

SAN JOSE STATE CONNECTION

With many new names and faces on the SaberCats squad for training camp, most of the players are adapting to each other's attitudes, personalities and tendencies. Building chemistry within the team is crucial to a strong foundation.

Some players, however, do not have to start from the beginning to build camaraderie. Four former San Jose State Spartans, who played on the same team in 2003, have found their way to the SaberCats lair.

Quarterback Scott Rislov, wide receiver Rufus Skillern, defensive back Trestin George and offensive lineman William Obeng were all part of the team that finished with a 3-8 regular season record.

"Getting to be around people that you're familiar with makes the transition so much easier," said Rislov. "Everybody comes in here and there are a lot of new guys so it's comforting to have a face you recognize and someone that knows you."

Timing between a quarterback and receiver is an integral part of a smoothly run offense. This synchronization is something that Rislov and Skillern developed on the wideout's first career college touchdown reception and both remember vividly.

"We were playing UTEP at their place and I had a groin problem so I really didn't think I was going to play," Skillern stated. "It was a back and forth game and they put me in on a 14-yard curl, I ran it and Scott threw a perfect ball. I caught it, made a move inside to beat the corner and then a linebacker was coming up the side and I stiff-armed him. I kept going up the sideline to about the 4 and dove in, it was about a 50-yard touchdown."

The play was called "Seven Goal Line" and it was actually a 58-yard TD pass with 4:16 left in the 2nd quarter. Rislov blew up in the game going 28-39 for 543 yards, no INTs and 7 TD passes. Trestin George had an outstanding game as well, registering two interceptions in the game, one returned for a touchdown. The Spartans defeated UTEP that day, 69-41.

Off the field moments were reminisced as well. "One thing that really stood out to me is when we all went to Ragin' Waters as a team," laughed George. "Watching Obeng go down the slide, that's a big boy going down the slide and it was hilarious."

"Oh yeah, I remember that," stated Obeng. "Three of the biggest lineman and myself decided to go up to the highest water slide and it had a weight limit but we didn't pay attention. We almost fell off the whole thing."

ROSTER MOVES

The SaberCats made some adjustments to their roster on Wednesday signing DB Reynard Carrie (5-11, 190, Portland State) and OL Troy Reddick (6-5, 350, Auburn). The club also placed FB Matt Kinsinger and DL Chris Solomona on IR. Last week the SaberCats signed OL Patrik Afif (6-7, 335, Washington State) and DB Brandon Smith (5-9, 180, Sacramento State). Check out the team's updated camp roster at www.sanjosesabercats.com.

CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Following Thursday's scrimmage with Grand Rapids, the SaberCats will have a light workout with no on-field practice Friday followed by an off day on Saturday. The team resumes its two-a-day practice schedule on Sunday, Feb. 18. All local practice sessions are open to the media and public with times subject to change. Contact the SaberCats' media relations department for up-to-date practice information (408) 573-5587. Players and coaches will be made available for interviews at the conclusion of each practice session

Training Camp Practice Schedule

Thu., Feb. 15 Scrimmage with Grand Rapids (6:30 pm Stockton Arena)

Fri., Feb. 16 No On-Field Practice

Sat., Feb. 17 Off Day

Sun., Feb. 18 9:00 am - 10:45 am 3:00 pm - 4:50 pm



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 14, 2007


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