SaberCats Enter Final Week of Training Camp
Published on January 24, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Jan. 24 , 2004) -â With less than two weeks until their season opener, the San Jose SaberCats enter their final week of training camp with players battling for final roster spots at just about every position. The San Jose coaching staff cancelled Saturday's afternoon practice after the team had a solid week capped by an intense Saturday morning session. Following an off day on Sunday, the club will resume practices on Monday, January 25, with the morning practice scheduled for Woodside High School. The team will return to its Sunnyvale practice facility for Monday's afternoon workout. Head Coach Darren Arbet has tentatively set Friday, January 30 as the day the club will set its 24-man roster.
WEEK THREE PRACTICE SCHEDULE (Jan. 25-Jan. 31)
Sunday, 1/25 - OFF DAY
Monday, 1/26 - 8:45 â 11:15am** 3:45 â 5:35pm
Tuesday, 1/27 - 8:45 â 11:15am 3:45 â 5:35pm
Wednesday, 1/28 - 8:45 â 11:15am No Practice
Thursday, 1/29 - 8:45 â 11:15am 3:45 â 5:35pm
Friday, 1/30 - ROSTER CUT DOWN DAY
**Practice held at Woodside High School
All practices are open to the media and public. Head Coach Darren Arbet, other members of the coaching staff and players will be available for interviews following the morning practice session. Contact the SaberCats' Media Relations Department at (408) 573-5577 for up-to-date information.
KENNEY LEAVES SQUAD â OL/DL Darrin Kenney, who started every game at center for the SaberCats during his three years with the team, voluntarily left the club to return to his home state of Pennsylvania to pursue interests outside of football. Kenney was about to enter his 12th Arena Football League season until his departure. During his career Kenney's teams had reached the semifinal round of the AFL playoffs in each of his 11 previous seasons and he won ArenaBowl titles in each of his three appearances in the league's championship game.
ROSTER MOVES -â The SaberCats signed linemen Eric Everley and Andrew Mitchell during the week and waived FB/LB George Gordon. Everley and Mitchell will help bolster a line corps that suffered the loss of starting center Darrin Kenney.
FIRST TEST â "I thought we did some good things," said Darren Arbet after the SaberCats scrimmage game with Philadelphia last Wednesday. "We still have some things to work on, but overall I was happy with the team's performance." The SaberCats won the contest by rushing for five TDs and shutting down the Soul's offense. Philadelphia scored two defensive touchdowns on a fumble return and a 45-yard interception return. Starting QB Mark Grieb was a perfect 4-for-4 passing for 49 yards in his two series. He led the SaberCats to a pair of scores before turning the duties over to Nick Rolovich for the remainder of the game.
SHAKES IS BACK â After not playing last season, Calvin Schexnayder, the AFL's 1998 Offensive MVP, is looking to make a comeback. "He's fighting for a job," said Darren Arbet about Shakes' intensity in practice. Schexnayder led all receivers with four catches in San Jose's scrimmage against Philadelphia. He totaled 40 yards and scored on a 9-yard reception after putting a nice move on a Soul defender. "Schexnayder is a first-year guy to us, but we've seen the back of his jersey plenty of times over the years," said San Jose General Manager/Offensive Coordinator Terry Malley.
GETTING HIS KICKS â Dan Frantz is a kicker, not a quarterback. But he had to attempt a pass following a bad center snap on San Jose's first PAT attempt in its scrimmage game. Frantz picked up the loose ball and rolled to his right before lofting a pass out of bounds. He paid the price on the play getting blown up by a defender. The misfortune didn't seem to bother the rookie from Portland State as he was perfect on his remaining kick attempts. Frantz connected on all five PATs and drilled a 46-yard field goal during the contest. "I hit it pretty well," Frantz said of his only field goal attempt.
The SaberCats kickoff their 10th AFL season at Detroit on Thursday, February 5th. The home opener is set for Saturday, February 28th against the Grand Rapids Rampage at HP Pavilion. Single game tickets for all home games can be purchased at all Northern California TicketMaster outlets, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the HP Pavilion box office. For season or group ticket information call the SaberCats at (408) 573-5577 or visit the team's official website at www.sanjosesabercats.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 24, 2004
- SaberCats Enter Final Week of Training Camp - San Jose SaberCats
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