SaberCats Host Unbeaten Dallas Saturday

Published on March 21, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release


SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 21, 2008) - The most prolific teams in the AFL over the last two seasons square off on Saturday, March 22, when the Dallas Desperados (3-0) visit the San Jose SaberCats (2-1) at HP Pavilion.

The Desperados are considered to be one of the premier franchises in the Arena Football League but haven't visited the Bay Area since the 2005 season. In that meeting, the SaberCats scored the third-most points in club history, clobbering Dallas in an 83-71 shootout.

The SaberCats are the defending ArenaBowl champions and have bounced back from a season opening loss to Chicago with consecutive victories over Grand Rapids and Arizona. Over the past two years, the Desperados have combined for a league-high 28-4 regular season record with San Jose not far behind with an overall 23-9 mark.

"I am excited about the challenge to play them because everyone talks about them as being one of the best teams in the league," said quarterback Mark Grieb. "Unfortunately for them they haven't done so well in the playoffs but we know what that's like too. I think they are a good team and it will be a great chance to measure where we are at."

The unfortunate circumstances that Grieb referred to are opening-round postseason exits in 2006 and 2007. After boasting a 15-1 regular season record last year, the Destroyers ceased any ArenaBowl talk in North Texas after Columbus upset Dallas, 66-59, in the divisional round.

Offensively, the Desperados haven't been as potent as in past years, largely in part to the shoulder injury sustained by QB Clint Dolezel in the opening week that put him on injured reserve for Weeks 2-5. Backup Chris Sanders has filled in and got the job done but Dallas hasn't scored more than 51 points in a game yet.

The defense, however, is currently the best in the AFL. Giving up 41, 36 and 40 for a mere 39.0 points per game is remarkable by indoor football standards.

"They are an aggressive, athletic defense," admitted Grieb. "They have great pass rushers who put a lot of pressure on you throwing the ball. I think they are really active in the box with their linebacker and their secondary has done a good job of being opportunistic. Their defense is also hard-hitting and teams have struggled running the ball against them inside the 5-yard line."

San Jose currently ranks fifth in scoring offense averaging 58.7 points per game so either the offense or Dallas' defense is going to give in this epic matchup. Grieb wouldn't provide any in-depth game plan secrets to beating the Desperado D but did hint towards capitalizing on their over-aggressiveness.

"They are a persistent and hostile defense so you have to counter that with some misdirection plays and rely on the fact that they are going to overreact to some situations."

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (PT) at HP Pavilion in downtown San Jose. SaberCats' radio partner KNBR-1050 AM will air the game live with Bob Fitzgerald and Keena Turner calling the action. Dan Dibley and Ray Woodson will host a two-hour pre game show starting at 5:00 p.m.

A premiere franchise in the Arena Football League, San Jose has won three ArenaBowl championships and captured seven Western Division titles, eight consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league's best regular season record this decade.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 21, 2008


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