Training camp continues with two-a-day practices
February 6, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2007) - Twice daily practices at the SaberCats facility supported the convictions that Arena Football has started in the Bay Area. Local news stations armed with cameras and reporters, along with a handful of fans, accompanied the 40-plus player/coaching army that packed the 50-yard field as the two-time ArenaBowl champions continued training camp.
Early in his ninth training camp as head coach of the SaberCats, Darren Arbet likes what he sees so far. "I think were playing solid on offense, defense and I like what were doing on special teams," he said.
As camp progresses Arbet will be looking for specifics from his troops. "I'm looking for the guys to get in football playing shape," he commented. "Learn to play SaberCats football, which is move on, one play at a time. Don't get upset or mad about a play or a call, just hustle back to the huddle and move on to the next play. Once the guys get that down our team will start to materialize."
Rookie wide receiver Rufus Skillern says that the pace of the first few practices has been very rapid with many new things to learn. He attests to making mental and physical preparations to cope with the style of the indoor game.
"You have to get a lot more mentally tough in the AFL," Skillern stated. "In the outdoor game you can avoid a lot of contact when you want to, but in here you are enclosed so there is no running out of bounds."
NELSON SETS CAMP RECORD IN BEEP TEST
Prior to hitting the field for the first practice of 2007, the players were tested in what veteran Strength & Conditioning Coach Fred Stephens calls the 'Beep' test. The drill was comprised of a series of 22-yard continuous shuttle runs that became progressive in speed or pace.
Nelson gave credit to his off season training regimen after setting a record time in the run. "Last year when I got here I wasn't in as good of shape and it really affected me in the games. I was sucking wind a lot and if you're tired that is going to affect your playing ability," he admitted. "I worked as hard as I have ever worked this off season; I did an acceleration program, I did some long distance stuff on my own and watched what I ate. It was a long and hard off season and it will pay off during the season."
Nelson claims that there is always room for improvement, but is happy with the chemistry already formulating between him and his quarterback.
"It's good because (Mark) Grieb and myself were out here a month ahead of time working on our timing and to me, that's the most important thing. He's always where he needs to be, always on his game, and I just need to tone up a few of the pieces of mine."
SABERCATS ADD TWO LINEMEN TO CAMP ROSTER
The SaberCats added two linemen to their camp roster in the wake of losing Tyler Moore to injured reserve and Michael Moore's failure to report to camp.
Tim Martin (6-5, 273) is a veteran player in the AFL, most recently a member of the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2006. He spent the previous two seasons playing for the New Orleans VooDoo where he earned All-Arena Second Team accolades in 2004. After playing for the University of Tulsa, Martin started his AFL career with the now disenfranchised Oklahoma Wranglers.
Garrett McIntyre (6-3, 270) begins his rookie season with San Jose after an illustrious college career at Fresno State. A California native, McIntyre earned First-Team All-WAC honors his junior and senior seasons and was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. He played alongside SaberCat teammate Rodney Wright at FSU in 2001 and has high expectations for the upcoming season.
"I'm expecting a lot, I heard they like to win over here," said McIntyre. "I'm happy to be on a good team, everything about this organization is very professional and very well ran."
For an updated training camp roster visit the team's official website www.sanjosesabercats.com.
HEAD COACH DARREN ARBET
"I think it's going OK," head coach and general manager Darren Arbet said less than a week into training camp. "We've got a lot of new guys and new rules to work with, but it looks like we're going to be pretty good defensively."
Why the optimism Coach? "I feel we've upgraded at LB with the addition of Steve Watson and Phil Glover will just play one way. Phil played 18 straight games last season and got beat up playing both ways. I feel we've improved our pass rush and our defensive backs...we've always been solid there."
Coach Arbet and his staff have had to adjust to new substitution rules and those adjustments start in practice. "It's been a big change," he noted. "We added a coach and we are more individualized. More offense and defense specific drills with guys just playing one side of the ball for the most part."
So far so good for the SaberCats according to Arbet, "I like our chances with the guys we have."
TICKET INFORMATION
Season and group tickets for the 2007 season are available by contacting a sales representative at (408) 573-5577. Individual game tickets ranging from $17 to $52 are on sale and can be purchased through any Northern California Ticketmaster outlet, online at ticketmaster.com or the HP Pavilion box office.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 6, 2007
- Training camp continues with two-a-day practices - San Jose SaberCats
- Preds hit field for start of mini-camp - Orlando Predators
- Gladiators Complete Day Two of Training Camp - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Storm open training camp Sunday, February 11 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Chicago Rush individual game tickets on sale Thursday - Chicago Rush
- Preds thank fans for assistance - Orlando Predators
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