John Dutton to lead San Jose
Tim Ball
Saturday July 20, 2002
Dutton, who started eight games last year (5-3) before getting hurt, gets the opportunity again by way of Mark Grieb sustaining a season-ending injury last week against Arizona. Dutton has the confidence of a coaching staff that only carried two quarterbacks the entire season and a team that knows he is a winner.
In keeping with loyalty, San Jose has signed veteran AFL quarterback and SaberCats Alumni Scott Wood. Wood was a starter for the SaberCats (13 starts in 1999) and played from 1995-2000.
James Roe, who was a league leader in touchdown receptions last year, is obviously back in the flow with three touchdown catches last week against Arizona. John Dutton, who those in the know are well aware could be a starter on most teams in the league and Roe, who’s as good as any receiver in the game, will be in top form going into the stretch drive for a championship.
Free (not cheap), but costly
In a version of football where players earn their pay, it was a free shot on a quarterback that has brought new hope for a league that was etching “SaberCats” onto the championship trophy a week ago.
On a play that was blown dead as it started, one lineman on Arizona put a bad odor into the sweet smell of success for San Jose, as his momentum and excitement at seeing an undefended quarterback caused Greib to sustain a broken collarbone as he drove the league’s leading passer into the turf.
The SaberCats may be upset (and they are) over the loss of Grieb but they have John Dutton to rely on. Dutton’s impressive preseason and his willingness to drive forward and dive in for a score-tying two-point conversion in the game against Arizona had to instill confidence. When Arizona took the lead again, Dutton had the SaberCats poised for possible overtime minutes later as he drove the team to last second-heroics, missing by only an inch as his throw could not stay in the diving and outstretched hands of OS James Hundon in the end zone.
Depth charge
Mark Grieb will be missed but the SaberCats have won a lot of games on the strength of a team that has talent at every position. Now they have a cause to fight for. Grieb should still be the offensive player of the year.
DS Clevan Thomas is still healthy and leads the defense as a rookie. This can only motivate a team full of proud and experienced players.
OS James Hundon leads a roster of a coach’s dream for great receivers, not the least of who is WR/DB Barry Wagner!
Rushing touchdowns have not just been a luxury for San Jose they have been a staple in an offense that could still set a league record in total points scored.
Head coach Darren Arbet is a patient and professional leader who has formed a team to overcome setbacks. His winning percentage of .727 speaks for itself.
Every player on the roster has had significant playing time in setting the “All-time” regular season wins at 12-0. Losing to Arizona, who had to pull out every stop including going to a man-to-man defense to defeat San Jose shows that only a 100% effort has any chance against Arbet’s SaberCats.
Tournament players
The regular season is history after the game in Carolina. Cobras quarterback John Fitzgerald, OS Aaron Bailey and team literally have a “must win” in front of them, otherwise they have to hope for several combinations of other teams winning and losing to keep their 12th seed.
The SaberCats have the Buster Douglas/Mike Tyson stigma to throw off, as now that they have been beaten, Carolina may feel a bit more confident going into this match up, but smart bets still favor San Jose.
A regular season game -- not the lose and you’re out format of the playoffs -- makes this a good opportunity for Dutton and the SaberCats constellation of talented offensive players. They have opportunity to find the all-important timing and rhythm, as well as facing a good team in Carolina. Though with less stress than usual, this game could be the focusing agent in the run to a championship.
Pride IS the line
Though the intensity of the undefeated season is no longer an issue in this contest, Dutton and the SaberCats are going to want to make a statement. Cobras quarterback John Fitzgerald, as a member of the Houston Thunderbears (the best AFL name of all time) last year, knows what it’s like to play when there is pride on the line as well as playoff hopes. This game will be intense for all the right reasons.
If there is one word that sums up the Darren Arbet/SaberCats, it is Pride… For whatever reason, every team that plays San Jose rises up like there is something more important on the line than “just victory.” This game will be nationally televised (the New TNN) and that alone causes players to reach a little deeper. Throw in a chance to beat San Jose and you have the makings of a game to set the VCR on record for.
Game time is 11:00 am PST on the New TNN.
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.
