San Jose SaberCats game notes
April 3, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
THE QUICK FACTS
Game: Colorado Crush (3-2) at San Jose SaberCats (2-2).
Date: Friday, April 6, 2007.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (PDT).
Site: HP Pavilion at San Jose (14,041).
Officials: Referee: Dave Cutaia; Umpire: Doug Wilson; Head Linesman: Greg Shields; Line Judge: Dave Chesney; Back Judge: James Cole
Television: There is no local TV for Saturday night's game.
Radio: San Jose's flagship station KNBR-1050 will broadcast the game live with Barry Tompkins (play by play) and former San Francisco 49er great Keena Turner (color). The station will air an extended 2-hour pre-game show with hosts Ray Woodson and Dan Dibley live from HP Pavilion starting at 5:00 p.m. followed by a 30-minute pre-game show with Barry and Keena at 7:00 p.m.
Internet: A live webcast is available at www.KNBR.com.
Series Record: SaberCats lead all-time series 5-1.
Series Streak: SaberCats Won 1.
Last Meeting: SaberCats 61, Colorado 56 (May 6, 2006 in HP Pavilion at San Jose).
Coaches: San Jose, Darren Arbet (9th season; 85-39 regular season, 95-44 overall).
Colorado, Mike Dailey (11th season; 93-60 regular season, 102-66 overall).
OVERVIEW: The SaberCats stopped their 2-game losing streak and won for the 8th time in their last 9 home opening games with a 69-49 defeat of Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. The SaberCats will now host their former QB and ArenaBowl XVI MVP John Dutton and the defending Central Division champion Colorado Crush on Friday, Apr. 6. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will air live on KNBR 1050. San Jose used a near perfect performance by QB Mark Grieb and an opportunistic defense to even its record at 2-2 with a win over Tampa Bay. Grieb had the second-highest completion percentage in SaberCats game history connecting on 23-of-26 (88.5%) with eight touchdowns and 284 yards. The SaberCats turned three Storm turnovers into 21 points, including the team's first-ever touchdown by a kicker when rookie A.J. Haglund scooped up a fumble and ran in for a score on a kickoff, and a 46-yard interception return for a score by Marquis Floyd. San Jose saw its streak of consecutive possessions with points come to an end at 21 when Grieb was intercepted by Tampa's Lawrence Samuels at the end of the first half...The SaberCats have not lost to the Crush in five regular season games and are 3-0 in games played in San Jose...Colorado's only series win came in a 2005 playoff game, 56-48, vaulting the Crush to an ArenaBowl XIX title.
THE SCHEDULES
2007 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (2-2)
Date Opponent Result Score
Mar. 4 @Los Angeles Won 66-58
Mar. 9 @Chicago Lost 45-48
Mar. 24 @Georgia Lost 62-64
Mar. 31 TAMPA BAY Won 69-49
Date Opponent Time (PT) Radio/TV
Apr. 6 COLORADO 7:30 pm 1050
Apr. 13 @New Orleans 5:00 pm 1050/FSN+
Apr. 21 LOS ANGELES 7:30 pm 1050-680/FSN
Apr. 28 UTAH 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
May 5 @Arizona 7:00 pm 1050-680/FSN
May 12 LAS VEGAS 7:30 pm 1050
May 19 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30 pm 1050
May 25 @Nashville 5:00 pm 1050/FSN+
Jun. 1 ORLANDO 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
Jun. 9 @Utah 6:00 pm 1050/FSN
Jun. 16 ARIZONA 7:30 pm 1050/FSN
Jun. 25 @Las Vegas 1:00 pm 1050/FSN
2007 COLORADO CRUSH (3-2)
Date Opponent Result Score
Mar. 4 GRAND RAPIDS Lost 42-44
Mar. 10 KANSAS CITY Won 44-40
Mar. 16 ARIZONA Won 56-54
Mar. 22 @Philadelphia Lost 47-71
Apr. 1 NASHVILLE Won 55-48
Date Opponent Time (PT) TV
Apr. 6 @San Jose 7:30 pm
Apr. 15 @New York 10:00 am FSN
Apr. 20 LAS VEGAS 6:00 pm
Apr. 27 @Kansas City 5:00 pm
May 7 @Chicago 4:30 pm ESPN2
May 11 @Nashville 5:00 pm
May 18 COLUMBUS 6:00 pm FSN
May 26 @Grand Rapids 4:00 pm
Jun. 4 @Utah 7:30 pm ESPN2
Jun. 18 CHICAGO 5:00 pm ESPN2
Jun. 25 DALLAS 5:00 pm ESPN2
THE SERIES: The SaberCats lead the all-time series 5-1 and are unbeaten (5-0) in regular season games...San Jose has won all three games played in HP Pavilion, including the last meeting, 61-56, on May 6, 2006, exactly 11 months ago...The SaberCats have outscored the Crush 196 to 131 in those three games...Colorado's only series win came in a divisional playoff game, 56-48, in Denver on May 29, 2005...The Crush have scored exactly 56 points in each of the last two series games...San Jose recorded a franchise record point total in its 89-41 win on Apr. 22, 2005. It was also the most points scored by a road team and the third-highest point total in AFL history.
SERIES NOTABLES: San Jose's 89 points against Colorado on Apr. 22, 2005 set a new franchise-high for points in a game, set an AFL record for most points in a game by a visiting team and was also the third-highest total in AFL history...San Jose's 13 touchdowns against Colorado in the same game tied an AFL record...Mark Grieb (15-of-15) set an AFL record for most attempts in a game without an incompletion on Apr. 22, 2005...Grieb and Nick Rolovich (2-of-2) combined for a perfect 17-of-17 performance, the first time in the league's 20-year history that a team finished a game without throwing an incomplete pass and the two also combined to throw a team single-game record tying nine TD passes...Colorado QB John Dutton set a personal-high and tied a San Jose opponent record with four INTs on Feb. 22, 2003...Mark Grieb set the team record for highest passer rating in a game with a perfect 158.3 mark doing it twice against Colorado (3/14/04 and 4/22/05)...WR Ben Nelson had 9 receptions for 117 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first game against the Crush on May 6, 2006...San Jose accumulated 86 yards on the ground on Apr. 27, 2003, which is the second-highest rushing total in team history...FB Matt Kinsinger ran for a career high 36 yards reaching 200 for his career and scored on a career-long 20-yard run at Colorado on Apr. 27, 2003...Colorado tied a San Jose opponent's record with six turnovers (four INT, two fumbles) on Feb. 22, 2003...San Jose tied a league and team record with six rushing touchdowns against Colorado on Feb. 22, 2003...Rodney Wright set a career-high with a 45-yard TD reception, had his first career MFG return for a TD and his first career interception (Apr. 22)...Clevan Thomas intercepted two passes against the Crush on Apr. 22, moving him past Pat McGuirk for first place on San Jose's career interceptions list...San Jose has had 11 INTs in six games against Colorado...John Dutton is one of just three players (Kevin McKenzie, Joey Dozier) to play for both teams.
LAST SERIES MEETING: SABERCATS 61, Colorado 56 - Saturday, May 6, 2007 - HP Pavilion - QB Mark Grieb threw five scoring passes and the SaberCats clinched their sixth Western Division title and first since 2003 with a 61-56 win over the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush. Grieb completed 23-of-28 attempts for 260 yards with no interceptions in the game. He threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter, the first a 12-yarder to Brian Johnson that tied the game at 14-14 with five minutes elapsed in the frame. It was the first career touchdown reception for Johnson, who also had a game-high 18 rush yards and a 1-yard scoring running for the only points in the third quarter, and added 1.5 tackles for game Ironman honors. San Jose scored twice in the final 37 seconds of the first half to take a 40-28 lead at intermission. Following a Willis Marshall touchdown run that gave Colorado a 28-27 lead with 44 seconds left in the half, Charles Pauley scampered 57 yards with the ensuing kickoff for the first San Jose kick return score of the year. On the next Colorado possession, Omarr Smith stepped in front of a John Dutton offering intended for Ahmad Hawkins and returned the interception 42-yards for a score as time expired in the half. It was the 5th career interception return for Smith giving him the SaberCats career lead. Dutton threw four of his six scoring passes in the fourth quarter to pull the Crush close, his last a 48-yard strike to Hawkins as time expired. The former SaberCat threw for 376 yards on 29-of-43 passing but his two interceptions were converted to touchdowns by San Jose. Marshall had a game-high 10 catches while Damian Harrell extended his league touchdown receptions record to 55 with four scores on nine catches.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Crush.................................. 7 21 0 28 - 56
SaberCats............................ 7 33 7 14 - 61
SCORING SUMMARY
COL Dutton 1 run (Rush kick)
SAN Wagner 1 run (Schmitz kick)
COL Harrell 11 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Johnson 12 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
SAN Pauley 21 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick failed)
COL Harrell 13 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Nelson 14 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
COL Marshall 1 run (Rush kick)
SAN Pauley 57 kickoff return (Schmitz kick failed)
SAN Smith 42 interception return (Schmitz kick)
SAN Johnson 1 run (Schmitz kick)
COL Harrell 13 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Nelson 30 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
COL McCullough 17 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
SAN Nelson 9 pass from Grieb (Schmitz kick)
COL Harrell 15 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
COL Hawkins 48 pass from Dutton (Rush kick)
TEAM STATISTICS COL SAN
First Downs 21 20
Total Net Yards 381 287
Rush Atts-Net Yards 7-10 16-33
Net Yards Passing 371 254
Comp-Att-Int 29-43-2 23-28-0
KO Returns-Yards 6-87 3-64
MFG Returns-Yards 0-0 0-0
INT for-Yards 0-0 2-68
Penalties-Yards 4-35 3-20
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-2
Sacks By-Yards 1-2 1-5
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing: COL - Dutton 29-43-2-376. SJ - Grieb 23-28-0-254.
Rushing: COL - Marshall 3-9; Dutton 2-1; Young 1-0; Dunn 1-0. SJ - Johnson 5-18; Glover 7-13; Geathers 2-1; Wagner 2-1.
Receiving: COL - Marshall 10-103; Harrell 9-129; McCullough 7-86; Hawkins 2-50; Dunn 1-8. SJ-Nelson 9-117; Roe 6-51; Wagner 3-34; Pauley 2-30; Johnson 2-19; Geathers 1-5.
Kick Returns: COL - Marshall 6-87. SJ - Pauley 2-57; Roe 1-7.
ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date Score
May 6, 2006 @San Jose 61, Colorado 56
May 29, 2005 @Colorado 56, San Jose 48 (playoff)
Apr. 22, 2005 San Jose 89, @Colorado 41
Mar. 14, 2004 @San Jose 55, Colorado 35
Apr. 27, 2003 San Jose 65, @Colorado 49
Feb. 22, 2003 @San Jose 80, Colorado 40
THE COACHES
San Jose - Darren Arbet, 9th season
85-39 (.685) reg. season; 95-44 (.683) overall
5-1 (.833) career vs. Colorado
5-2 (.714) career vs. Mike Dailey
Two-time Arena Football League Coach of the Year and ArenaBowl champion Darren Arbet enters his ninth season as head coach of the San Jose SaberCats and his second as the club's general manager. Last season Arbet guided the SaberCats to their seventh straight winning season and playoff appearance by going 10-6, the sixth time in his eight seasons the team has posted a double-digit regular season win total. The team also captured its fifth Western Division title under Arbet (sixth overall) and advanced to the semifinal round of the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Arbet enters the 2007 campaign with 93 career wins, the fifth-most in AFL history, and his .689 overall winning percentage is the third-highest among coaches who have been involved in at least 25 games. Arbet has also compiled the third-best postseason winning percentage (.667) and is one of just six head coaches in league history to amass 10 playoff victories. Under the direction of Arbet San Jose has enjoyed unmatched success vaulting the franchise to elite status in the AFL. Since the start of the 2000 season, Arbet's second as head coach, the SaberCats have claimed two ArenaBowl championships (2002, 2004), compiled the most regular season wins (77), the second-most playoff wins (10) and have averaged nearly 12 victories a season. In addition, the club has set league records for regular season wins in a season (13 in 2002), overall wins in a season (16 in 2002), consecutive regular season wins in a season (12 in 2002), regular season wins to end a season (11 in 2000) and the longest regular season win streak (15 in 2000-01). Arbet's ties to the AFL date back to the late 1980s when he played two seasons as a fullback/linebacker with the Los Angeles Cobras (1988) and Maryland Commandos (1989) before a wrist injury that required three surgeries ended his career. During his playing days, Arbet lined up against former Philadelphia head coach Michael Trigg, who was a quarterback with the Detroit Drive, and Georgia Force offensive coordinator Steve Thonn, who played WR/DB with the Chicago Bruisers.
Colorado - Mike Dailey, 11th season
93-60 (.608) reg. season; 102-66 (.607) overall
4-6 (.400) career vs. San Jose
2-5 (.286) career vs. Darren Arbet
Mike Dailey enters his fourth season in Colorado and 11th as head coach in the AFL, after becoming the Crush's second head coach on June 26, 2003. Dailey joined the Crush following 13 seasons in the Albany/Indiana Firebirds organization, including the final seven as head coach. One of the most successful and well-respected coaches in AFL history, Dailey's teams have compiled an overall record of 102-66 record. His teams have also made eight postseason appearances and he has won five division titles and two championships. Following the Crush's 44-40 victory over Kansas City on March 10, 2007, Dailey became only the fourth head coach in AFL history to surpass the 100 win mark. He currently stands as the league's fourth all-time winningest coach. In his first season in Colorado, Dailey helped guide the Crush to the largest turnaround in AFL history, inheriting a 2-14 team and leading them to an 11-5 record in 2004. In 1999, Dailey led the Albany Firebirds to their only ArenaBowl championship and was named AFL Coach of the Year. Before being named head coach of the Firebirds in 1997, Dailey served as an assistant in Albany for five seasons. Dailey began his AFL coaching career with the Washington Commandos where he served as offensive/defensive line coach in 1990. He joined the Firebirds organization in the same capacity in 1991. Prior to the AFL, Dailey worked as an assistant coach at Towson State University and was the offensive coordinator at Montgomery College-Rockville (Md.). Dailey got his start in coaching in 1981 as a 22-year-old assistant at Georgetown Prep High School in Rockville, Md.
CHASING 100 - San Jose head coach Darren Arbet earned his 95th career victory with the SaberCats 69-49 win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31, leaving him just five shy of becoming the 5th head coach to amass 100 career wins. Colorado's Mike Dailey earned his 100th win earlier this season with a win over Kansas City on Mar. 10. The AFL's all-time leader, Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum, remains stuck on 181 after dropping to 0-5 this year with his team's loss to San Jose. Marcum earned his 100th career victory in just 124 games while Utah's Danny White got his 100th in 143 games. It took Dailey 165 games to get his 100th win and Chicago's Mike Hohensee won his 100th in game 193. Arbet has coached in 139 games to date.
CAREER COACHING RECORDS
Rk. Coach (Year) Team Record
1. Tim Marcum (19th) Tampa Bay 181-82
2. Danny White (15th) Utah 152-76
3. Mike Hohensee (14th) Chicago 110-95
4. Mike Dailey (11th) Colorado 102-66
5. Darren Arbet (9th) San Jose 95-44
2007 TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON
Category (Rank) SaberCats Crush
Scoring Offense 60.5 (6) 48.8 (13)
Scoring Defense 54.8 (9) 51.4 (7)
Total Offense 304.2 (7) 290.0 (12)
Total Defense 271.0 (2) 287.0 (7)
Pass Offense 289.8 (4) 287.0 (5)
Pass Defense 248.5 (3) 266.8 (7)
Rushing Offense 14.5 (14) 3.0 (19)
Rushing Defense 22.5 (12) 20.2 (10)
Pass Rating 118.0 (6) 99.4 (15)
Pass Defense Rating 117.6 (12) 117.0 (11)
Interceptions 2 (t-16) 3 (t-12)
Kickoff Return Avg. 23.9 (2) 12.0 (19)
Field Goal Return Avg. 1.0 (16) 30.0 (2)
Turnover Margin -2 (t-12) -2 (t-12)
3rd Down Conversions 56.0% (5) 44.8% (13)
4th Down Conversions 80.0% (3) 62.5 (10)
Sacks By 5 (t-6) 3 (t-16)
Sacks Against 2 (t-5) 1 (t-1)
2007 SABERCATS AMONG AFL LEADERS
Player Category No. Rank
Mark Grieb Pass Avg/Game 292.8 3rd
Mark Grieb Completion Pct. 70.8 3rd
Mark Grieb Passing TDs 26 t-5th
Mark Grieb Pass Attempts 161 10th
Mark Grieb Pass Yards 1,171 10th
Mark Grieb Pass Completions 114 t-6th
Mark Grieb Passer Rating 118.0 8th
Mark Grieb Total Offense 1,189 10th
A.J. Haglund Kick Scoring 44 t-4th
A.J. Haglund FG Pct. 83.3 1st
A.J. Haglund PAT Pct. 93.5 t-4th
A.J. Haglund FGs Made 5 t-2nd
A.J. Haglund PAT Attempts 31 t-9th
A.J. Haglund PATs Made 29 t-9th
Rodney Wright All-Purpose Yards 783 7th
Rodney Wright Receptions 39 10th
Rodney Wright KOR Avg. 24.6 4th
Rodney Wright KOR Yards 394 5th
Rodney Wright KOR TDs 1 t-5th
Ben Nelson Receptions 43 t-4th
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards 524 6th
Ben Nelson Receiving Yards/Gm 131.0 3rd
Ron Jones Sacks 3.0 t-4th
Ron Jones Tackles For Loss 3.5 t-6th
Marquis Floyd INT Return TDs 1 t-2nd
Marquis Floyd INT Return Yards 46 6th
THE IFS...:
If the SaberCats defeat Colorado it would...
*Give them a 3-2 season record.
*Be their 2nd straight win.
*Give them a 6-1 lead in the all-time series.
*Keep them undefeated against the Crush in regular season games (6-0).
*Keep them undefeated at home against the Crush (4-0).
*Give them a 30-20 all-time record against Central Division opponents.
*Give them a 16-7 all-time home record against Central Division opponents.
*Give them a 65-24 all-time regular season home record.
*Give them a 115-64 all-time regular season record.
*Give them a 125-72 overall record.
RECENT RESULTS:
SaberCats Down Storm, 69-49, In Home Opener
San Jose (Mar. 31, 2007) - Quarterback Mark Grieb tossed eight touchdown passes to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors and lead the San Jose SaberCats past the Tampa Bay Storm, 69-49, in an Arena Football League game Saturday night before 13,916 at HP Pavilion. Grieb did not throw an incompletion until halfway through the second quarter, and completed 23-of-26 passes on the night for 284 yards. He distributed the ball efficiently, throwing at least two touchdowns to all three SaberCats' receivers. The Storm fell behind after San Jose's opening possession when Grieb hit WR Ben Nelson on a 33-yard stop-and-go route, and the SaberCats never relinquished the lead. Tampa Bay pulled within a touchdown at the beginning of the second period, but trailed by at least two possessions the rest of the game. T.T. Toliver was a bright spot for the Storm, reeling in 12 catches for 162 yards and two TDs. In his first career AFL start, QB Stoney Case pieced together a respectable evening throwing for 271 yards and three TDs on 22-of-36 passing. The Ironman of the Game was an unlikely hero. Rookie kicker A.J. Haglund enjoyed a remarkable game by returning a fumble recovery four yards for a TD and making four solo special teams tackles. "I'm in front of the home crowd for the first time and I wanted to play my hardest," said Haglund. "(The touchdown) was the most exciting moment of my life, I was going to make a tackle and the ball bounced right to me." Defensive player of the game honors were given to DB Marquis Floyd, who picked off a Case pass midway through the second quarter and returned it 46 yards for six points. The SaberCats' defense also registered two sacks on the Storm quarterback. Wide receiver Ben Nelson had a team-high 10 receptions for 114 yards and four TDs, James Roe had five catches for 70 yards and Rodney Wright pulled in eight balls for 100 and both receivers caught two TDs apiece. The SaberCats improve their record to 2-2 on the season while the Storm fall to 0-5 on the season to establish the worst start for the team in franchise history.
MILESTONE WATCH
Name Milestone Needs
Darren Arbet 100 career wins 5
Ben Nelson 150 career receptions 13
Ben Nelson 2,000 career receiving yards 71
Rodney Wright 1,000 career KOR yards 59
Clevan Thomas 35 career INTs 2
Clevan Thomas 75 career PBUs 1
Clevan Thomas 250 career solo tackles 11
Omarr Smith 30 career INTs 3
Omarr Smith 70 SJ career games played 1
Omarr Smith 60 career PBUs 4
Matt Kinsinger 35 career rush TDs 1
Matt Kinsinger SJ career rush leader 43
Mark Grieb 29,000 career pass yards 205
Mark Grieb 550 career TD passes 9
Phil Glover 25 career rush TDs 2
Brian Johnson 175 career rush yards 4
Brian Johnson 40 career games played 4
Brian Johnson 20 career rush TDs 4
Craig Whelihan 110 career pass TDs 1
Craig Whelihan 6,000 career pass yds 124
James Roe 600 career receptions 37
TRENDS:
HOME SWEET HOME - The SaberCats continued their dominance on the HP Pavilion turf defeating the Tampa Bay Storm, 69-49, on Mar. 31 in their home opener. With the win the SaberCats ran their all-time regular season home record to 64-24 (.727) and are 73-28 (.723) overall. Under head coach Darren Arbet the SaberCats improved to 50-11 (.820) in regular season games at HP Pavilion.
CRUSH(ING) - The SaberCats have never lost a regular season game to the Crush going 5-0 all-time and outscoring Colorado 350 to 221. Two of San Jose's seven 80+ point games have come against Colorado, including a team record 89 scored in Denver on Apr. 22, 2005. San Jose has averaged 70 points a game and has not scored fewer than 55 in a regular season game against Colorado. However, the Crush's lone series win came during the 2005 playoffs, a 56-48 win in Denver, vaulting the Crush to an ArenaBowl XIX title.
THAT 60's SHOW - One week after having their streak of wins when scoring 60-or-more points in a game snapped at seven, the SaberCats started a new one with their 69-49 win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. San Jose raised its all-time regular season record to 51-8 (.864) when reaching the 60 plateau and its home mark when hitting the 60-point mark improved to 27-1 (.964). The SaberCats only home loss when scoring 60 or more points came on Mar. 12, 2006 in a 75-61 loss to Los Angeles.
JUST WIN BABY! - Mark Grieb improved his record as the SaberCats' starting QB in home games to an impressive 44-7 (.863) with San Jose's 69-49 win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. He has played a total of 53 regular season games on the HP Pavilion turf as a SaberCat throwing for 13,955 yards on 1,086-of-1,591 (68.3%) passing with 269 TDs and just 30 INTs.
POSSESSION TIME - In the AFL, it's not how long teams possess the ball but what the teams do with it when they have it. The SaberCats had their string of consecutive possessions with points ended at 21 when Mark Grieb tossed an interception at the end of the first half in a win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. In Chicago on Mar. 9, the SaberCats scored TDs in each of their final three possessions and then scored 8 TDs and 3 FGs the 11 times they had the ball at Georgia on Mar. 24. They started with 7 TDs in each of their possessions against Tampa Bay before the streak ended. Included among the possessions were a kickoff return TD, an interception return TD and a fumble return TD.
AT THE HALF - The SaberCats held a 48-35 halftime lead in their win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31 and improved to 2-0 on the year when leading at the intermission. San Jose doesn't relinquish the lead too often when leading at the halfway point increasing their all-time record to 84-17 (.832) when leading at the half.
SEEING DOUBLE - For the second time in as many weeks the SaberCats will be facing a former teammate as the opponent's starting QB. This week it's John Dutton, who played three seasons (2000-02) in the green and gold completing 189-of-316 passes for 2,570 yards with 48 TDs and 9 INTs. He played in 31 games making 10 starts before heading to the Crush. Dutton took over for the injured Mark Grieb late in 2002 and directed the SaberCats to an ArenaBowl XVI win earning game MVP honors. In the Mile High City Dutton has started 66 of the team's 69 regular season games and he directed Colorado to a win in ArenaBowl XIX in 2005. Last week, 2006 backup Stoney Case started his first AFL game completing 22-of-36 for 271 yards with 3 TDs and an INT for Tampa Bay.
FAMILIARITY BREEDS - The SaberCats have used the same starting offensive lineup for all four games and the unit has reached the 60-point barrier three times while averaging 60.5 points and 304.2 yards per game. No changes are expected for Friday's game.
MARCH INTO APRIL - The turning of the calendar page brings a new stat to the notes. The SaberCats are 20-9 (.690) all-time and 11-4 (.733) at home in games played during the month of April.
NOTES:
WELCOME BACK - FB Brian Johnson was activated off IR and played his 1st game of the year last week against Tampa Bay. Johnson had a career-long 20 yard run on his 1st carry to become the team's leading rusher on the year surpassing QB Mark Grieb, who had 18 yards. Johnson ended the night with a career-best 23 yards on 4 carries and added 1.5 tackles on defense in his first game since sustaining a serious knee injury in last year's American Conference championship game loss to Chicago on June 3, 2006. Johnson also moved up two spots on the team's career rushing yards list, surpassing both Mike Maslowski (149) and Phil Glover (159) into sole possession of 11th place with 171 career yards.
ON THE MARK - QB Mark Grieb was surgeon-like in his dissection of the Storm secondary in San Jose's 69-49 win on Mar. 31. Grieb completed 88.5 percent (23-of-26) of his passes, the 2nd-best single-game completion percentage in team history (min. 15 attempts) for 284 yards and 8 TDs. Grieb started the game going 9-for-9 for 116 yards with 4 TDs before his first incompletion. He started the second half completing his first 10 passes for 113 yards and 3 TDs. If you count the completed pass to the other team (Lawrence Samuels' INT), Grieb threw just one incomplete pass in each half of play. Grieb has the team and league top completion percentage mark going 15-for-15 at Colorado on Apr. 22, 2005.
MADE YOU LOOK - DB Clevan Thomas recorded his 7th career forced fumble when he stripped Storm return man T.T. Toliver on a first quarter kickoff. The FF by Thomas moved him into a 4th place tie with Leonard Nelson on the team's career list and, most importantly, resulted in a TD when A.J. Haglund scooped up the loose ball and went 4-yards for the score giving the SaberCats a 14-0 lead just two minutes, 36 seconds into the contest.
FORCED FUMBLES, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player Fcd Fmbls
1. Barry Wagner 19
2. Sam Hernandez 17
3. Joe Jacobs 9
4. Clevan Thomas 7
Leonard Nelson 7
FULL NELSON - WR Ben Nelson had his 4th straight 100-yard receiving game, setting a SaberCats' record at the start of a season, when he amassed a team-high 114 and 4 TDs on 10 receptions in the team's win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. Nelson bettered James Hundon's 2002 record of 3 straight 100-yard games to begin a season and is also within one of matching Hundon's overall record of five consecutive 100-yard receiving games. It was the 11th time in 16 career games that Nelson topped the 100-yard mark, moving him past Shalon Baker into 4th place on the team's career list. Nelson currently ranks 6th in the AFL with 524 receiving yards and is 3rd at 131.0 yards per game.
100 YARD RECEIVING GAMES, TEAM, CAREER
Rank Player 100-Yd Games
1. James Roe 27
2. James Hundon 22
3. Steve Papin 17
4. Ben Nelson 11
5. Shalon Baker 10
NOT JUST A KICKER - Rookie A.J. Haglund is quickly becoming a fan favorite with his hustle and inspired play. Not only did he convert 9-of-10 PATs in the SaberCats 69-49 win over Tampa Bay on Mar. 31, he did something no kicker in team history had ever done - he scored a TD. Haglund scooped up a T.T. Toliver fumble on a kickoff and scooted 4 yards for the score early in the first quarter. Haglund added 4 solo tackles on kickoffs and was named the Ironman of the game.
A MARQUIS PLAYER - Second year DB Marquis Floyd brought the HP Pavilion crowd to its feet with a weaving 46 yard return for a TD of an intercepted pass against Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. Floyd leaped high above the Storm receiver to pick off the pass then turned the other way getting a few key blocks. It was Floyd's 4th career INT and the 2nd he's taken back for a score. The return was also the 7th-longest in team history, tied with Bob McMillen who also went 46 yards with a pick against the Storm in 2002. Floyd's 51 yard return last year at Grand Rapids gives him two of the top returns in team history.
LONG INTERCEPTION RETURNS, TEAM
Yards Player Date
52 t Pat McGuirk, at Iowa 6/24/95
51 t Marquis Floyd, at Grand Rapids 2/19/06
50 t Barry Wagner, at Las Vegas 5/16/04
48 t Omarr Smith, vs Las Vegas 3/20/04
47 t Barry Wagner, at Oklahoma 4/21/00
47 t Willie Culpepper, at Anaheim 7/5/97
46 t Marquis Floyd, vs Tampa Bay 3/31/07
46 t Bob McMillen, at Tampa Bay 4/27/02
THE WRIGHT STUFF - WR Rodney Wright hit the trifecta against Tampa Bay on Mar. 31. Wright had 8 receptions for 100 yards to become the 10th player in team history with 100 career receptions and 1,000 career receiving yards (1,082). Wright added 90 yards on 5 KORs for 190 all-purpose yards to surpass the 2,000 plateau (2,182), also the 10th player to reach that level. After playing in just parts of two games last season, Wright has regained the form that saw him amass 1,293 all-purpose yards in 2005 when he was named the club's Rookie of the Year. Wright ranks 7th in the AFL with 783 all-purpose yards and is 5th with 394 KOR yards.
GOT YOUR NUMBER - SaberCats' DB Clevan Thomas has intercepted his former teammate and current Crush QB John Dutton the most of any QB in the league. Thomas has five of his 33 career picks against Dutton, a number that also represents a tie for the most against any team in the league. Thomas has also intercepted Las Vegas and Los Angeles five times during his career. Two of Thomas' team-record four multi-interception games have come against the Dutton-led Crush, the first time on Feb. 22, 2003 and again on Apr. 22, 2005. Thomas is currently tied for 12th place all-time in interceptions with Darryl Hammond.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! - Two SaberCats will be celebrating their 28th birthday on Friday when San Jose hosts Colorado. Both Clevan Thomas and Brian Johnson were born on April 6, 1979.
AGAINST TAMPA BAY: DB Clevan Thomas had the 7th FF of his career moving him into a 4th place tie with Leonard Nelson on the team's career list...WR James Roe had his 170th career TD catch...DB Marquis Floyd's 46-yard INT return was the 7th longest in team history. He also had a career-high 7.0 total tackles and his 50th career solo tackle...C Dan Loney played in his 65th career regular season game and started his 20th straight game...QB Mark Grieb threw the 3,400th pass of his career...DL George Williams played in his 60th career regular season game...Rookie A.J. Haglund became the 1st kicker in team history to score a TD when he returned a fumble 4 yards on a kickoff...WR Ben Nelson had his 130th career reception, his 6th career 10+ reception game and his 11th career 100-yard game...WR Rodney Wright became the 10th player in team history with 100 career receptions, 1,000 career receiving yards and 2,000 career all-purpose yards...WR/LB Jason Geathers had a career-high tying 5.5 tackles and his 1st career TFL...DL Tim Martin became the 8th player in team history, and the 2nd this season (Ron Jones) to register a full sack in his 1st game with the team.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The SaberCats will travel to New Orleans to play the VooDoo on Friday the 13th, a scary proposition for any team in any league. After a season-opening three-game roady, the SaberCats will not have an extended trip the rest of the season, playing just one-gamers away from HP Pavilion the rest of the way. FSN Plus and KNBR 1050 will carry the game live (5:00 pm PDT) from the New Orleans Arena as the SaberCats face their old nemesis, Andy Kelly, once again. A two-game homestand with Western Division rivals Los Angeles (Apr. 21) and Utah (Apr. 28) follows as the SaberCats reach the half way point in the season. Both those games are slated to be televised by FSN as part of the AFL's regional television package. They can be seen in the Bay Area at midnight the day of the game.
COLORADO PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB JOHN DUTTON - Has been the starting QB in two ArenaBowl victories, including the 2002 championship game for the SaberCats when he replaced an injured Mark Grieb during the playoff stretch. Dutton was named ArenaBowl XVI Most Valuable Player that year and also won a championship with the Crush in 2005, becoming the only QB to win the big one with two different teams. The Crush signed the University of Nevada product in 2003 immediately following his run with the SaberCats. In six career games against San Jose, Dutton has thrown for 1,702 yards on 123-of-207 passing with 26 TDs and 11 INTs. The last time he suited up against the SaberCats was May 6, 2006, where he torched the Cats' secondary for 376 yards and 6 TDs while also scampering into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing TD. Dutton leads the league this year in pass attempts with 207, and has completed 127 of those for 1,435 yards, 26 TDs and 7 INTs.
WR DAMIAN HARRELL - Perhaps the most dangerous man on the scoring side of the ball in the Arena Football League, Harrell has been named the league Offensive Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons. The former Florida State standout set an AFL record for TD receptions in 2006 with 61, while leading the league in receptions (152) and points scored (366). Harrell has collected 34 receptions, 533 yards and 14 TDs in six career games against the SaberCats. In Colorado's last game against San Jose on May 6, 2006, Harrell totaled 9 catches, 129 receiving yards and 4 TDs in a 61-56 losing effort. Through 5 games in the 2007 season, Harrell is in the top 10 in every receiving category and extended his streak of games with at least one TD to 70.
DB RASHAD FLOYD - A two-time All-Arena Second Team selection, Floyd set an AFL single-season record in 2006 with 136.5 tackles. He also finished last season 3rd in the league with 10 INTs, giving him 27 for his career. At HP Pavilion last season, Floyd posted 10 total tackles with 7 solo and 6 assisted against the SaberCats on May 6. His career numbers against the SaberCats are 18.5 tackles, 1 FR and 1 PBU. Floyd already has 48 total tackles and 7 PBUs through five games in 2007.
WEEKLY PLAYERS OF THE GAME
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
@LAA (3/4) WR Lenzie Jackson, Los Angeles
@CHI (3/9) WR Bobby Sippio, CHI; Rodney Wright SJS
@GEO (3/24) WR Chris Jackson, Georgia
v TBY (3/31) QB Mark Grieb, San Jose
v COL (4/6)
@NWO (4/13)
v LAA (4/21)
v UTH (4/28)
@ARZ (5/5)
v LVG (5/12)
v GRR (5/19)
@NAS (5/25)
v ORL (6/1)
@UTH (6/9)
v ARZ (6/16)
@LVG (6/25)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
@LAA (3/4) DB Omarr Smith, San Jose
@CHI (3/9) DB Jeremy Unertl, Chicago
@GEO (3/24) DB Willie Gary, Georgia
v TBY (3/31) DB Marquis Floyd, San Jose
v COL (4/6)
@NWO (4/13)
v LAA (4/21)
v UTH (4/28)
@ARZ (5/5)
v LVG (5/12)
v GRR (5/19)
@NAS (5/25)
v ORL (6/1)
@UTH (6/9)
v ARZ (6/16)
@LVG (6/25)
IRONMAN PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Opp. (Date) Player
@LAA (3/4) WR Ben Nelson, San Jose
@CHI (3/9) None selected
@GEO (3/24) FB/LB Matt Heubner, Georgia
v TBY (3/31) K A.J. Haglund, San Jose
v COL (4/6)
@NWO (4/13)
v LAA (4/21)
v UTH (4/28)
@ARZ (5/5)
v LVG (5/12)
v GRR (5/19)
@NAS (5/25)
v ORL (6/1)
@UTH (6/9)
v ARZ (6/16)
@LVG (6/25)
THE SABERCATS RECORD WHEN...:
Scoring Allowing
'07 All-Time '07 All-Time
0 - 9 points 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
10-19 points 0-0 0-1 0-0 3-0
20-29 points 0-0 0-7 0-0 17-1
30-39 points 0-0 8-16 0-0 27-5
40-49 points 0-1 18-19 1-1 31-15
50-59 points 0-0 37-13 1-0 27-24
60-69 points 2-1 29-7 0-1 4-14
70-79 points 0-0 15-1 0-0 5-5
80+ points 0-0 7-0 0-0 0-0
2007 All-time
Games decided
by 7 or fewer points 0-0 36-32
by 3 or fewer points 0-2 15-22
Leading after the 1st 2-0 70-19
Trailing after the 1st 0-1 24-31
Tied after the 1st 0-1 20-14
Leading at Half 2-0 84-17
Trailing at Half 0-1 26-41
Tied at Half 0-1 4-6
Leading after the 3rd 2-0 91-12
Trailing after the 3rd 0-2 19-48
Tied after the 3rd 0-0 4-4
Scoring First 2-0 67-31
Opp. Score First 0-2 47-33
More Total Offense 1-1 80-35
Less Total Offense 1-1 34-29
More Pass Yards 1-1 70-36
Less Pass Yards 1-1 44-27
Equal Pass Yards 0-0 0-1
More Rushing Yards 2-0 97-28
Less Rushing Yards 0-2 16-33
Equal Rushing Yards 0-0 1-3
Thursday games 0-0 4-1
Friday games 0-1 32-19
Saturday games 1-1 58-25
Sunday games 1-0 18-17
Monday games 0-0 2-2
vs. Western Division 1-0 42-26
vs. Central Division 0-1 28-17
vs. Southern Division 1-1 25-11
vs. Eastern Division 0-0 19-10
Winning coin toss 0-1
Losing coin toss 2-1
Outscoring Opponent 2-0 114-0
Being Outscored 0-2 0-64
Records are for regular season games.
2007 AFL STANDINGS
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Utah 4 1 .800 333 290
San Jose 2 2 .500 242 219
Los Angeles 2 2 .500 181 205
Arizona 1 4 .200 319 303
Las Vegas 1 4 .200 234 310
Central Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Chicago 4 1 .800 271 217
Colorado 3 2 .600 244 257
Kansas City 2 2 .500 210 212
Nashville 2 3 .400 273 294
Grand Rapids 1 3 .250 195 273
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Dallas 5 0 1.000 323 214
Philadelphia 4 0 1.000 268 177
Columbus 2 2 .500 212 224
New York 1 3 .250 166 238
Southern Division
Team W L Pct PF PA
Georgia 4 1 .800 315 287
New Orleans 3 2 .600 256 232
Orlando 2 3 .400 228 219
Austin 1 4 .200 265 279
Tampa Bay 0 5 .000 215 300
WEEK FIVE RESULTS
Friday, March 30
at Columbus 62, Georgia 61
at Kansas City 62, Arizona 61
Saturday, March 31
at New Orleans 48, Orlando 45
at Dallas 68, Austin 64
at San Jose 69, Tampa Bay 49
Sunday, April 1
Philadelphia 65, at New York 60
at Chicago 66, Los Angeles 31
at Colorado 55, Nashville 48
Utah 57, at Las Vegas 47
WEEK SIX SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 5
Columbus at Dallas, 5:30 pm
Friday, April 6
Utah at Austin, 5:30 pm
Arizona at Los Angeles, 7:30 pm
Colorado at San Jose, 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 7
New York at Grand Rapids, 4:00 pm
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 4:30 pm
Chicago at Nashville, 5:00 pm
Kansas City at Las Vegas, 6:00 pm
Monday, April 9
Georgia at Philadelphia, 4:30 pm
WEEK SEVEN SCHEDULE
Friday, April 13
San Jose at New Orleans, 5:00 pm
Los Angeles at Utah, 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 14
Austin at Columbus, 4:00 pm
Tampa Bay at Orlando, 4:30 pm
Grand Rapids at Kansas City, 5:00 pm
Nashville at Arizona, 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 15
Colorado at New York, 10:00 am
Las Vegas at Georgia, 12:30 pm
Monday, April 16
Philadelphia at Dallas, 4:30 pm
WEEK EIGHT SCHEDULE
Friday, April 20
New York at Orlando, 4:30 pm
Kansas City at Nashville, 5:00 pm
Las Vegas at Colorado, 6:00 pm
Arizona at Utah, 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 21
Dallas at Georgia, 4:00 pm
Chicago at Grand Rapids, 4:00 pm
New Orleans at Austin, 5:35 pm
Los Angeles at San Jose, 7:30 pm
Monday, April 23
Philadelphia at Columbus, 4:30 pm
WEEK NINE SCHEDULE
Friday, April 27
Georgia at New Orleans, 4:00 pm
Colorado at Kansas City, 5:00 pm
Nashville at Dallas, 5:30 pm
Saturday, April 28
Arizona at New York, 4:00 pm
Utah at San Jose, 7:30 pm
Grand Rapids at Los Angeles, 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 29
Columbus at Tampa Bay, 12:00 pm
Orlando at Las Vegas, 3:00 pm
Monday, April 30
Philadelphia at Chicago, 4:30 pm
WEEK TEN SCHEDULE
Friday, May 4
Orlando at Georgia, 4:30 pm
New York at Columbus, 6:00 pm
Saturday, May 5
Nashville at Grand Rapids, 4:00 pm
Kansas City at Philadelphia, 4:00 pm
Dallas at Utah, 6:00 pm
San Jose at Arizona, 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 6
Tampa Bay at Austin, 1:05 pm
Los Angeles at Las Vegas, 3:00 pm
Monday, May 7
Colorado at Chicago, 4:30 pm
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 3, 2007
- Tampa Bay Storm game notes - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rush waives Ahmad Merritt - Chicago Rush
- Rattlers Sign Terrance Joseph - Arizona Rattlers
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Delta Air Lines Rocks with Jon Bon Jovi and The Philadelphia Soul - Philadelphia Soul
- Dragons Make QB Moves - New York Dragons
- Soul DB Eddie Moten named Defensive Player of the Week - Philadelphia Soul
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- Colorado Crush game notes - Colorado Crush
- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
- Offensive production on rise heading into week six - AFL I
- Bad start halts Dragons - OSC Original by David Holusha
- Crush's Robert Thomas named AFL Ironman of the Week - Colorado Crush
- Bobby Sippio named AFL Offensive Player of the Week - Chicago Rush
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