SaberCats Wrap First Week of Training Camp
January 17, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2004) -â The San Jose SaberCats continue training camp workouts in preparation for their season opener at Detroit on February 5. The team completed its first week of camp and enjoyed an off day on Saturday before returning for week two of camp on Sunday, January 18. Listed below is the practice schedule for Week 2 with news and notes from the first week of training camp.
WEEK TWO PRACTICE SCHEDULE (Jan. 18-Jan. 24)
Sunday, 1/18 - 8:45 â 11:15am 3:45 â 5:35pm
Monday, 1/19 - 8:45 â 11:15am 3:45 â 5:35pm
Tuesday, 1/20 - 8:45 â 11:15am No afternoon practice
Wednesday, 1/21 - Closed Scrimmage vs. Philadelphia
Thursday, 1/22 - No Practice
Friday, 1/23 - 8:45 â 11:15am 3:45 â 5:35pm
Saturday, 1/24 - 8:45 â 11:15am 3:45 â 5:35pm
All practices are open to the media and public. Head Coach Darren Arbet, other members of the coaching staff and players will be available for interviews following the morning practice session. Contact the SaberCats' Media Relations Department at (408) 573-5577 for up-to-date information.
ROSTER MOVES -â The SaberCats signed FB/LB Tupo Tuupo to their active roster. The former Washington State Cougar signed a rookie free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers in April 2002 and was in the Los Angeles Avengers training camp last year. Tuupo becomes the fifth FB/LB on the team's roster joining Matt Kinsinger, Keala Keanaaina, Kevin Buck and George Gordon.
FIRST TEST â Darren Arbet and his coaching staff will get their first look at the 2004 SaberCats in live competition when the expansion Philadelphia Soul visit San Jose for a closed scrimmage on Wednesday, January 21. The Soul, co-owned by rock star Jon Bon Jovi, are led by team president and former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski, and coached by former Grand Rapids Rampage head coach Michael Trigg, who won the ArenaBowl XV title in 2001. The Soul should provide a good test for the SaberCats' defense as they go up against one of the AFL's all-time leading passers in quarterback Todd Hammel. Philadelphia's arrival also marks the return of former SaberCat WR/DB Travis Seaton to San Jose. The teams have tentatively scheduled a joint practice session on Monday, January 19th before the closed scrimmage.
"This scrimmage will be our only chance to see this team in a game situation before the season," Arbet said. "We'll get an opportunity to see who can do what. Some guys could make the team based on this scrimmage."
The two squads will also meet during the regular season on May 22nd at HP Pavilion.
ORIGINAL âCATS â The SaberCats celebrate their 10th anniversary in 2004 with four original members among their roster, coaching and training staffs. Wide receiver/linebacker Jerry Reese was a rookie when the expansion San Jose SaberCats debuted in 1995 and now ranks second in team history in receiving yards and touchdowns. General Manager and Offensive Coordinator Terry Malley worked as the SaberCats' Director of Football Operations in 1995, while Head Coach Darren Arbet was an assistant on Todd Shell's staff that same season. Rounding out the SaberCats' 10-year club is Head Athletic Trainer Steve Bartlinski, who served as an assistant trainer in 1995.
SABERCATS IN THE âBLACK HOLE' â Construction at the team's practice facility in Sunnyvale sent the SaberCats on a visit to the Raider Nation Thursday. San Jose held their morning practice at the Oakland Raiders' facility in Alameda. According to Reese, the opportunity to practice at an NFL facility is a far cry from his first training camp with San Jose in 1995.
"The first thing is we don't have milk crates to sit on," the original SaberCat said.
The SaberCats are currently enclosing their practice field to allow workouts in all types of weather. Construction should be completed next week.
The SaberCats kickoff their 10th AFL season at Detroit on Thursday, February 5th. The home opener is set for Saturday, February 28th against the Grand Rapids Rampage at HP Pavilion. Single game tickets for all home games can be purchased at all Northern California TicketMaster outlets, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at the HP Pavilion box office. For season or group ticket information call the SaberCats at (408) 573-5577 or visit the team's official website at www.sanjosesabercats.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 17, 2004
- Destroyers Conclude First Week of Camp with Scrimmage - Columbus Destroyers
- SaberCats Wrap First Week of Training Camp - San Jose SaberCats
- Rattlers Waive Four, Sign Three - Arizona Rattlers
- Desperados Wrap Up First Week, Prepare For Wranglers - Dallas Desperados
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