SaberCats gear up for scrimmage game against Grand Rapids

February 12, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2007) - After a solid week of two-a-day practices and meetings, the two-time ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats are poised to handle their first dose of outside competition. The team will travel to Stockton, Calif. on Thursday, February 15 to play in a scrimmage game against the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Most of the players seem eager to line up toe-to-toe with somebody other than someone in a green and gold jersey. "It's been a year since I played in a game so I am really excited about the scrimmage," exclaimed first-year AFL player Shawn Willis. "I've been enjoying practices hitting people, but it's been awhile since I've hit somebody other than my teammates, I just can't wait until Thursday!"

That excitement is spreading throughout the SaberCats' locker room rapidly. The scrimmage begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Stockton Arena and is open to the public for a $5 admission fee.

Having the opportunity to test the team's abilities before beginning the regular season is a chance to do some team evaluation. "I think it's really important just to see how much we've progressed throughout camp and see how good we are as a team," said lineman Chris Solomona. "This is an early test and then we've got another week to prepare and fix those mental mistakes or things we need to work on before the first game."

INDOOR ADJUSTMENTS

With 17 players that have never played arena-style football, many of the newcomers are adjusting to the pace of the game day by day.

"Right now I'm taking everything slowly," stated rookie wide receiver Cleannord Saintil. "This is my first time with arena and understanding the game and how fast it is, there's a big difference between the outdoor game and the indoor game."

Seasoned AFL players on the team make themselves available to the new guys in order to expedite the learning process.

"The veteran guys are doing a good job showing me around and showing me what I need to do as far as routes. We've got a great quarterback in (Mark) Grieb and a great coach in (Terry) Malley. I'm learning so much from Coach Malley, to be honest I think he's one of the best coaches I've ever had."

Willis claims that extra attention from the coaches is speeding up the learning curve. "The coaches have been really good working with me and showing me some extra stuff. Showing me things on film and working out the kinks because this game is much faster than what I'm used to."

FIRST OFF DAY

The SaberCats squad enjoyed their first day of rest this past Saturday since camp began. Talking with a few of the players, it appears as if the team was in a rest and recovery period.

"I just relaxed," admitted Solomona. "After that first week you've just got to rest your body and get off of your feet a little bit."

Some of the other new players felt it was a good opportunity to get to know their teammates a little bit more. "Friday we kind of went out for a night on the town and it was nice to hang out with my teammates," stated Willis. "Saturday we just rested and rode around San Jose a little bit to get a feel for the city."

Saintil just reflected on his time in San Jose during camp. "I just try to come out here have a happy face and play hard, you've got to love the game."

The team continues training camp with a single practice on Tuesday and a joint practice with Grand Rapids on Wednesday, leading up to the scrimmage with the Rampage on Thursday. Friday will be a light day of running, lifting and film with Saturday as the next off day for the team.

CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE

The SaberCats await the arrival of Grand Rapids for a joint practice session with the Rampage on Feb. 14 and a scrimmage game in Stockton on Feb. 15. Wednesday's joint practice will be held at Woodside High School and is open to the public. Fans can witness Thursday's scrimmage at the Stockton Arena for a $5 entrance fee. All proceeds go to the Stockton Lightning af2 club for operating the facility. All local practice sessions are open to the media and public with times 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 (408) 573-5587. Players and coaches will be made available for interviews at the conclusion of each practice session

Training Camp Practice Schedule

Tue., Feb. 13 9:00 am - 10:45 am

Wed., Feb. 14 9:00 am - 11:00 am (practice with Grand Rapids at Woodside HS)

Thu., Feb. 15 Scrimmage game 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

TICKET INFORMATION

Season and group tickets for the 2007 season are available by contacting a sales representative at (408) 573-5577. Individual game tickets ranging from $17 to $52 are on sale and can be purchased through any Northern California Ticketmaster outlet, online at ticketmaster.com or the HP Pavilion box office.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 12, 2007


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