SaberCats lose five in expansion draft
September 29, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Sep. 29, 2004) - If you can't beat 'em, draft 'em. That's the motto Arena Football League teams followed on Wednesday during the AFL's most recent expansion draft.
The defending ArenaBowl Champion San Jose SaberCats had a draft-high five players selected, including the first overall pick, among the 17 selections.
Receiver/defensive back Charles Pauley was selected first overall by the Chicago Rush, who traded OL/DL James Baron to Nashville for the first three picks. The former San Jose State University standout entered the lineup midway through the season and played in the final six regular season games and all three playoff contests.
Making his San Jose debut as a defensive specialist, Pauley made four starts before moving to a two-way player. He totaled 24.5 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups defensively while catching three passes for 48 yards on offense during the year.
Pauley is the second San Jose player to be selected first overall in an expansion draft joining Cliff Green, who was taken by the Los Angeles Avengers in the 2000 draft.
Fullback/linebacker Tupo Tuupo was taken by the Las Vegas Gladiators with the 4th pick in the draft. Tuupo played in just two games during the year compiling 2.5 tackles and a pass breakup.
Nashville selected DS Art Smith with the 14th pick. Smith signed with the SaberCats in April and did not play a game during the season. He recently signed with the NFL's Oakland Raiders and is a member of their practice squad.
Lineman Rob Gatrell was the 15th player selected going to Las Vegas. The former Fresno State players saw limited playing time in just two games last season.
Defensive specialist Trayvon Waller was taken by the Grand Rapids Rampage with the 17th and final selection of the draft. Waller was on San Jose's 24-man roster for the final six regular season games but was inactive for each contest.
No other team in the draft lost more than two players with Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Colorado, New Orleans and Dallas each losing a pair.
The defending ArenaBowl Champion SaberCats will open their 11th season in the AFL in January. Season tickets are available on the team's official website www.sanjosesabercats.com or by calling a ticket representative at (408) 573-5577.
SABERCATS SELECTED IN EXPANSION DRAFT
Rd. Players Pos Selected by
1. Charles Pauley WR/DB Chicago Rush
4. Tupo Tuupo FB/LB Las Vegas Gladiators
14. Art Smith DS Nashville Kats
15. Rob Gatrell OL/DL Las Vegas Gladiators
17. Trayvon Waller DS Grand Rapids Rampage
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from September 29, 2004
- Crush lose two in 2005 Expansion Draft - Colorado Crush
- Kats Select Nine Players In Expansion Draft - Nashville Kats
- Two Soul players taken in expansion draft - Philadelphia Soul
- AFL holds expansion draft for Nashville Kats - Dallas Desperados
- Gladiators select pair in AFL Expansion Draft - Las Vegas Gladiators
- SaberCats lose five in expansion draft - San Jose SaberCats
- Nashville takes shape after expansion draft - AFL I
- Rampage add two exciting young talents - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Rush selects three, loses Brown in expansion draft - Chicago Rush
- Rattlers Acquire Phil McGeoghan In Expansion Draft - Arizona Rattlers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
