Total Team Effort Takes Down Dallas
Tim Ball
Tuesday July 2, 2002
San Jose played their game, which is: “Everyone do your job.” Dallas played a different game: “Let’s keep San Jose from playing their game.” One strategy worked and one didn’t. One team is still undefeated and the other will be viewing game tapes as to why.
The SaberCats tied an Arena Football league record with their 11-0 record in their 58-41 win over Dallas in front of 13,660 fans at the American Airlines Arena. The sole reason lies on the individual play of one man on the team…
MVP’s Award
This team has rewritten what the words “individual achievement” means. To SaberCats’ players and coaches, it seems to be defined as what happens on that play, rather than who is playing.
If offensive specialist and star James Hundon (two TDs) is not in on a series, then someone else steps in and the SaberCats still score points. WR/LB Shalon Baker (who had two touchdowns) lit up the Desperados on every play he was involved in. Even on errant throws to him, Baker made sure there wouldn’t be turnovers, as he would defend against the interception-attempt by knocking the ball away. His presence of mind reflects well on Arena Football’s two-way player format.
San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb (25-41 for 305 yards) has had little worry as his defense has answered any offensive turnover with a take-away payback of their own. When WR/DB Jason Kaiser intercepted Grieb at the goal line, just a few Dallas plays later and pop, fumble, San Jose ball. DS Omar Smith made the play by stripping the same Jason Kaiser of the ball and falling on it for the recovery. (It was Omar Smith who ended the Chicago Rush’s day as well in the best test the SaberCats have had to date.)
Grieb’s interception by Kaiser was taken away from Barry Wagner (two TD’s) who a short time later, in typical “Wags” style, made an unbelievable catch for a touchdown by leaping up for a jump-ball at the Dallas four yard line and swaggered in untouched for a payback score and the lead 51-34. Grieb must have known something because as the Dallas defense closed in on top of him, he simply let it fly and Wagner answered with one of the best plays in the league this year.
Just do it!
If someone wants to write me about the “best” player on the SaberCats, I’d love to read it and I’ll take your opinions seriously. I may disagree but hey, I’m an American. I’ll make you a deal, I won’t mention the SaberCats kicker (for once) in this article to keep it even.
I mentioned every single lineman in my last column (and the kicker too, I know) for good reason. Not to make friends but to be fair and balanced. Miss Cleo is not returning phone calls (which is odd, as a psychic shouldn’t she know I’m trying to reach her?), so I may not know how this season is going to end but I know how it’s going along! It’s virtually impossible to hang a star on just one SaberCats name card. If it’s not one guy it’s another.
DS Clevan Thomas didn’t take another game award, which is unbelievable, so the other defensive specialist shined like the sun. Smith came up with another great performance that shouted excellence for all to hear! The fear and avoidance of one SaberCats player puts the opposing team in the hands of another nightmare-inducing athlete.
How many sleepless nights do head coaches have prior to playing the SaberCats? Who do they worry about the most? The SaberCats even have players on the IR who are some of the best players in the league! You know intravenous NyQuil is the only way those coaches can get their eyes to close.
To make the point, think back on the Buffalo game. One would think losing their center Frank Beede would slow the SaberCats down a bit, right? Wrong. Some guy named Dan Loney comes in from the IR list, dominates and on one rushing play alone crushes the entire defense against the wall as Baker, talking on a cell phone and drinking a Mountain Dew, walks untouched into the endzone… Well you know that’s how the Buffalo coaching staff saw it in their minds as their heads hit the pillow.
Two Dozen Times One
It’s been the same all season. The SaberCats deferring the possession after winning the coin toss to open the second half sends a loud message. WE are here to play football against YOU. Like Tyson vs. Lewis, hype and hot air does not match up to a better athlete with better skills. Dallas has had two chances to experience first hand the solution of one to the 24th power.
The Desperados did not play to their potential in this game but remember both of these teams could very well meet for a third time in the playoffs. Next time it will be in a single elimination format, where one loss means you lose out!
Andy Kelly may play for the Desperados now, but he led the team that eliminated San Jose in 2000 and 2001 as the quarterback for the Nashville Kats. Otherwise, San Jose may well be attempting to equal the Shaq-era Lakers record of a “three-peat” instead of just trying to make their first ArenaBowl.
Stay in Shape to Look Great
This season is not winding down, it’s tightening up. Tension will be at a greater level for every game from now until the end of ArenaBowl XVI and like the difference between a Rolex and a knockoff, it’s guts that make the difference in the long run.
The playoff picture is taking shape and coming into focus. Now we see the condition of who will be involved in the “second season” and realize the only undefeated team last year hails from Grand Rapids, and they only needed to stay unbeaten for 60 minutes to be champions.
“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Right, Yogi?
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
