Training Camp Notes
Published on April 3, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
The SaberCats continue practice leading up to their final preseason game on April 12 at Georgia and the regular season opener vs. Arizona on April 20. San Jose defeated Carolina 66-64 on March 29 in the exhibition opener with the coaching staff getting a good look at the squad in game action. The SaberCats will take Thursday (Apr. 4) off before returning to two-a-day practices on Friday, April 5.
FULLBACK/LINEBACKER POSITION: The SaberCats have three players fighting for two roster spots with incumbent Bob McMillen already set. Arena League rookies Keala Keanaaina and Josh White and second-year player Matt Kinsinger will try and offset the loss of last year's leading rusher Joey Dozier, who signed with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. "We're pleased with the development of the players at that position," said defensive coordinator Michael Church. McMillen, a 7-year AFL veteran, is expected to see limited action in practice and the final exhibition game in order to give the other players a chance to learn the system.
INJURIES: OL/DL Billy Woodard was put on injured reserve and will be out for 2-4 weeks with a fractured fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand. He underwent surgery April 2 to correct the problem. The injury was sustained during last Friday's exhibition game. No other significant injuries have been reported.
KICK RETURNS: Four players: Barry Wagner, Travis Seaton, Omarr Smith and Clevan Thomas, had at least one kick return in the exhibition game. The plan, according to head coach Darren Arbet, is to find two to three players who can return kicks once the season starts. Ideally, the coaching staff would like one player who can return kicks, but with the new substitution rules, the staff would like to have the flexibility of three players with kick return experience. Seaton returned one kickoff 54-yards for a touchdown, Smith had two returns for 35 yards and Wagner had one attempt for 12 yards vs. Carolina. Look for rookie Rashied Davis to get some looks on the return team when San Jose plays at Georgia. He's still learning the indoor game and didn't play vs. Carolina.
**Rookie DS Clevan Thomas did something no other SaberCats played had done before in Friday's exhibition game. Thomas' two touchdowns on interception returns in the same game marked the first time in team history that had happened (pre-season, regular season and postseason games).
**With OL/DL George Williams activated off the Refused to Report list, the SaberCats now have eight players with 22 years of experience in regular season NFL games. OL/DL Frank Beede heads the list with five seasons as a Seattle Seahawk. Other former NFL players include James Hundon (4 yrs w/Cincinnati), James Roe (4 yrs w/Baltimore), Wendell Davis (3 yrs w/Dallas), Matt Keneley (1 yr w/San Francisco), Jerry Reese (1 yr w/Buffalo) and Mike Ulufale (1 yr w/Dallas).
CAMP SCHEDULE
Fri., Apr. 5 8:45 am to 11:15 am 3:45 pm to 5:35 pm
Sat., Apr. 6 8:45 am to 11:15 am 3:45 pm to 5:35 pm
Sun., Apr 7 OFF
All practice sessions are open to the public and media. SaberCats coaches and players will be made available following each practice session for interviews. Contact the SaberCats media relations department for updated camp information and to arrange interviews.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 3, 2002
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- Training Camp Notes - San Jose SaberCats
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- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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