Turnovers Prove Costly Against Brigade
February 21, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2008) - The outcome was irrelevant and that's probably a good thing. The SaberCats turned the ball over three times on offense and stopped the Kansas City Brigade just once on defense in Tuesday night's scrimmage loss at Stockton Arena.
"Obviously we've got a lot of work ahead of us," said SaberCats' head coach Darren Arbet. "But we were more concerned about letting some guys play."
All 37 players on the team's camp roster did play, including 10 rookies and six first-year SaberCats. Veterans James Roe, Omarr Smith and Steve Watson, all starters on San Jose's ArenaBowl title team from last season, were in street clothes while most of the team's regulars played just a series or two.
San Jose's offensive starters played two series scoring a touchdown on the team's first drive, a 3-yard run by fullback Brian Johnson. The next series ended with Mark Grieb throwing the first of three San Jose interceptions on the evening.
After that everybody got in on the action, including offensive lineman Patrick Afif, who caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Brett Elliott late in the fourth quarter.
"Never, not even close," said Afif when asked if he'd ever scored a touchdown before. "That was technically my first route ever in a game or scrimmage."
Don't expect the second-year player to challenge the team record for scoring receptions by a tight end, set by George Williams last season. "You know I'm not the best receiver on the team but they called the play anyway," Afif explained. "So when I turned to the quarterback I saw him look right at me and I was thinking to myself, 'Please don't drop this!' Then when I caught it I couldn't believe it and I was already in the end zone for a touchdown."
SPECIAL TEAMS
One area that may have been a bright spot for San Jose on Tuesday was the kickoff return team. After placing fourth in the AFL last season with an average return of 19.7 yards, the SaberCats compiled 148 yards on four returns, an average of 37 yards a return.
Trestin George returned his only attempt 57 yards for a score and Cleannord Saintil had a 50-yard scamper in his only attempt. Rodney Wright and Darrell Jones each had a return attempt as well.
"We had some good returns and felt like we did a nice job on coverage," said Arbet. San Jose limited Kansas City to just 77 yards on six returns.
WILLIS LOST FOR SEASON
Fullback Shawn Willis, who was a serious contender for playing time, sustained a ruptured tendon in his right quadricep and will be lost for the season. The injury occurred on Monday during the team's joint practice session with Kansas City during blocking drills. The injury will require a 6 to 8 month rehabilitation process, according to SaberCats head athletic trainer Jim Spooner.
"I feel bad for Shawn," said SaberCats' head coach Darren Arbet. "He's worked hard all camp and was making progress with a legitimate shot at playing time."
QUOTABLES
"I think, in all three phases of the game, we have got to get better. Whether it's today or tomorrow, we have to go out there and get better."
-SaberCats head coach Darren Arbet
"Coach Malley has made the claim to me that if they ever throw me the ball in a game he should be taken out back and shot for calling that play."
-SaberCats OL Patrick Afif on catching a TD pass in Tuesday's scrimmage.
"Put a positive spin on that!"
SaberCats QB Mark Grieb to the assembled media after Tuesday's scrimmage defeat
CAMP PRACTICE INFORMATION
The SaberCats conclude their 2008 training camp on Friday with a single morning practice. The coaching staff will then evaluate film and make decisions on the roster Saturday. The team must have its 24-man roster submitted to the AFL office by February 25. The schedule for next week's regular season practices has not been determined as of yet.
ABOUT THE SABERCATS
A premiere franchise in the Arena Football League, San Jose has won three ArenaBowl championships and captured seven Western Division titles, eight consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league's best regular season record this decade. The SaberCats begin defense of their AFL title on March 3 in Chicago on ESPN2.
2008 TICKET INFORMATION
Season and group tickets for the 2008 season are now on sale. Contact a SaberCats' account executive at (408) 573-5577 to reserve your seats today. Individual game tickets can be purchased at the HP Pavilion ticket office, all Northern California Ticketmaster locations and on line at ticketmaster.com. More information is also available on the team's official website www.sanjosesabercats.com.
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