SaberCats re-sign free agent QB Mark Grieb
November 15, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Nov. 15, 2006) - Record-setting quarterback MARK GRIEB will be back in a San Jose SaberCats uniform for a ninth season after signing a one-year free agent deal with the two-time ArenaBowl champions, the club announced today.
"Obviously signing Mark was a top priority for us," stated SaberCats' head coach and general manager Darren Arbet. "This is and always has been an offensive game. So having the best QB in the league running our offense gives us a chance to win a lot of football games."
Last season Grieb established an AFL record by throwing for 4,814 yards, breaking his own 2005 league record of 4,796, and ranked among the top five in seven statistical categories. He has increased his season passing yardage total every year since 2001 and over the last four seasons he has thrown for more yards than any other quarterback in the AFL.
"I'm happy to get it done, I'm happy to be back with San Jose again," said Grieb. "It'll be a great opportunity to make another run at it (a championship) and we'll see how it goes. I'm excited to be back."
One of the most prolific passers in AFL history, Grieb has thrown for 27,624 yards in his 9-year career and is the league's all-time leader in pass efficiency with a rating of 123.8. He also ranks sixth all-time in yards and touchdown passes (515), and seventh in pass completions (2,142) and attempts (3,240).
A three-time All-AFL selection and the 2002 Offensive Player of the Year, Grieb has started every game for the SaberCats over the last four seasons and holds nearly all of San Jose's game, season and career passing records. He became the sixth player in league history with 500 career touchdown passes when he threw six in a win over Austin on April 22, 2006.
"Other teams talked to me but I knew I wanted to come back here and this was my No. 1 choice," the former Oak Grove High School and UC Davis standout said. "This is where I want to be. I like the people in the organization. I think San Jose does things the right way and I think that we should have a great team and a great chance to compete for a championship."
Since joining the SaberCats in a trade with the Buffalo (now Columbus) Destroyers prior to the 1999 season, Grieb has played in a club record 111 regular season games and owns a 71-26 (.732) record in 97 career starts with a 43-7 (.860) ledger in games played in HP Pavilion. He led San Jose to its second ArenaBowl title by tossing a championship game record eight scoring passes in a 69-62 win at Arizona on June 27, 2004.
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 tickets for the SaberCats 13th season in the AFL, which begins in early March, are available now by calling (408) 573-5577 or by visiting the team's official website - www.sanjosesabercats.com.
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