SaberCats' Wagner, Grieb collect weekly awards
June 15, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 15, 2004) â Quarterback Mark Grieb an 11-time Offensive Player of the Game for the San Jose SaberCats, was named the Arena Football League's âBaby Ruth' Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week Tuesday for his performance in the semifinal playoff game against the Chicago Rush.
Grieb passed for five touchdowns and ran in the decisive score from seven yards out as San Jose (13-5) advanced to ArenaBowl XVIII by defeating the Rush, 49-35. The SaberCats will meet the Arizona Rattlers (13-5) in Phoenix on Sunday, June 27, before a nationally televised (NBC) audience at 1 p.m. (PT).
Barry Wagner, six-time AFL Ironman of the Year, was named the U.S. Army Ironman of the Week award winner for his game against Chicago. The 6-foot-3 receiver-linebacker had a forced fumble and pass breakup on defense; caught five passes, one for a touchdown, for 40 yards and returned two kickoffs.
Despite the two weeks separating the last game of the season and ArenaBowl, Grieb believes it's a positive move for the SaberCats. "I think the two weeks allows teams to be well prepared," said Grieb, who was 27 of 40 (.675) for 273 yards against Chicago. "It also gives us time to heal the bumps and bruises."
Head coach Darren Arbet, whose 72-27 (.727) overall record is the second best all-time by an AFL coach, has the SaberCats practicing Wednesday through Saturday at the team's workout facility in nearby Sunnyvale.
Grieb, a solid candidate for the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year, set a league record for completion percentage (73%) and pass rating (133.45) feels some statistics are over-rated. "You have to be efficient on the road (at Arizona) by getting ball into the end zone," said the resident of Redwood City, Calif. "It comes down to converting on 3rd and 4th down situations."
Wagner, at 36, is in his 13th AFL season and fifth with the SaberCats, said he gets energized for the championship game. "I get up for the big game" said Wagner, who has a championship ring with the SaberCats (2002) and Orlando (1998). "It's very special time and there is no looking back with this game."
The SaberCats have had seven Players of the Week, in the three categories (offense, defense and Ironman) and Greib garnered two Player of the Month awards (February and April).
Other weekly winners this past season have been Rashied Davis and James Roe, Ironman of the Week and Omarr Smith Defensive Player of the Week.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 15, 2004
- McEntyre is AFL Defensive Player of Year - Orlando Predators
- SaberCats' Wagner, Grieb collect weekly awards - San Jose SaberCats
- Orlando's Kenny McEntyre named ADT Defensive Player of the Year - AFL I
- Todd Merkow departs Los Angeles Avengers - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rush names 2004 team award winners - Chicago Rush
- AFL names semifinal round players of the week - AFL I
- Georgia Force lineman Adrine signs with Atlanta Falcons - Georgia Force
- Cobras Kicker Rob Bironas Joins Pittsburgh Steelers - Carolina Cobras
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