SaberCats mini-camp concludes
Published on December 15, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2006) - The completion of a three-day mini-camp Friday means the start of the 2007 Arena Football League season is right around the corner.
The San Jose SaberCats used the time to get acquainted with each other as 17 of the 37 players on the current roster are AFL rookies. "We have a lot of new faces in the locker room," stated SaberCats Head Coach and General Manager Darren Arbet. "This is a great way to get familiar with one another in a setting that isn't as formal as training camp."
Meetings, stretching, testing and, of course, two-a-day practices were all on the itinerary while many aspects of the club's operation were being explored and developed.
"I think the biggest thing is evaluating some of these guys and making sure they are a good fit for our system and what we're trying to accomplish," newly appointed Defensive Line/Special Teams Coach Jeff Jarnigan said. "We've got a good group of guys and they are all working hard, eager to learn and are all very coachable."
With so many new faces on the squad, most of which have never played in an arena-style game, there is a constant learning curve that is being experienced.
"We took a big step forward from yesterday to today," stated second-year Defensive Coordinator Kevin Guy. "The more reps we get, the better we'll get at it. We're doing a lot of introducing in mini-camp and hopefully we'll do more progressing when we get back for training camp."
Rookie wide receiver Burl Toler claims that he is adjusting well, and has already bought into the SaberCats' system. He has also been influenced greatly by the veteran leadership that comes within the core of one of the winningest teams in AFL history.
"I think it's really easy for some of the older players to say, 'I went through this and I know the plays' and leave it at that," Toler remarked. "But James Roe and (Mark) Grieb will sit there and ask us questions so they know we're following, answer questions for us, explain something to us back at the hotel, so that helps out and builds camaraderie."
Mark Grieb is returning for his ninth season as San Jose's quarterback and is enthusiastic about the players surrounding him and considers himself a mentor to his new teammates.
"(Mini-camp) is not as much of a learning experience for me, it's more of a teaching time where I'm trying to help out other guys," Grieb admitted. "Talk to them about things that I know, experiences I've had, and try to speed up their development in this league. I think a lot of the guys have picked everything up pretty quickly and the tempo has been good."
One new player that isn't a stranger to the rules and regs that embodies the Arena Football League is FB/LB Matt Kinsinger. He, along with OT William Obeng and OT Tyler Moore, are the newest additions to the SaberCats' roster.
After spending 2006 with the Las Vegas Gladiators, Kinsinger returns to San Jose for his seventh season in the AFL and fifth with the SaberCats. During his time (2002-05) with the organization, the hard-nosed FB/LB climbed to the top of five all-time SaberCats' offensive statistical categories. He is tenth on the list for scoring (non-kicking) with 186 points, tenth in touchdowns (31), fourth in rushing attempts (123), third in rushing yards (393) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (30).
"It is nice to come back to San Jose, see familiar faces and be in a good organization," Kinsinger said. "There are a lot of good guys here and my contribution will be what is always has, run the ball when needed and protect our quarterback."
William Obeng (6-7, 325) joins the team as another former San Jose State Spartan. He spent time in the NFL (Vikings, Raiders) and NFL Europe (Cologne Centurions) before landing a spot in the AFL. Obeng was born in Accra, Ghana but moved to the United States when he was ten. In college, Obeng started all 11 games at left tackle his senior season (2004) and was voted the Spartans' Most Outstanding Lineman.
Tyler "T-Bone" Moore (6-7, 310) joins the SaberCats after helping the Port Huron Pirates to a Great Lakes Indoor Football League championship in 2006. His performance there earned him Lineman of the Year honors and a spot on the league's All-Star team. Moore spent his collegiate career as a Purdue Boilermaker, starting in 25 games at right guard and was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten.
The SaberCats will open training camp in early February preparing for their 13th season in the AFL. They will open the season in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 4 and play their home opener on Saturday, March 31 against the Tampa Bay Storm. A premier franchise in the AFL, San Jose has captured two ArenaBowl titles, six Western Division championships, seven consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league's best regular season record this decade. Season and group tickets are available now by calling (408) 573-5577 or by visiting the team's official website - www.sanjosesabercats.com.
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