Two Games Left for one of Two Great Players
Tim Ball
Friday August 9, 2002
San Jose, who’s won 14 of their last 15 games and the number one seed for good reasons, will attempt to not only make it to the ArenaBowl but will have to stop the leagues greatest winner, Jay Gruden (1991-96, ’02). But, Orlando knows all too well that they will be facing Barry Wagner (1992-’02) who carved out his legend as a member of the Predators before he went to San Jose in 2000.
 Barry Wagner as a new SaberCat in 2000 Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall |
Jay Gruden is running out of room for championship rings, as the four he earned as quarterback of Tampa Bay and two as head coach of Orlando, leave only two fingers to go. C’mon, no one wears rings on their thumbs and besides, shouldn’t they be melted into a crown? And, we all know that the Ironman trophy should be named after Barry Wagner…
This whole “undefeated” thing that was highlighted all season for San Jose, wasn’t even an option for the 1-3 Orlando Predators. Yet, somehow the 77-45 loss to the SaberCats (dropping them even further to 1-4) seemed to initiate a winning way as the Predators have won eight of their last eleven games.
San Jose wasn’t trying to go unbeaten, they were just trying to win “one game at a time.” Now “that game” is for a trip to the ArenaBowl.
Now that they’re in the playoffs, “undefeated,” means something, and a loss would put a hefty trivia weight on San Jose as the most successful team to come so close so often. Orlando knows all too well that they may not have Gruden at this level for much longer and better make the best of it.
The best of the best
 Jay Gruden as Orlando`s head coach in 2000 Image courtesy of Drew Kennedy |
The war on I-4 is now being waged coast-to-coast. Gruden and Wagner were fierce rivals on opposite sides of the Storm/Predators battles for years. Then head coach and player in a relationship that is still talked about in Florida to this day. Now the saga continues…
Jay Gruden and Barry Wagner bring intensity to this semi-final game that turns the volume up to ten. Wagner has been the league Ironman recipient six-times (1992-97) and who, according to Gruden, should have won it in ’98 and ’99 also. Wagner should have his name already etched into this year’s award as well.
Gruden has accomplishments that others can only dream of.
Momentum and motivation
Clichés are grounded on fact, not hyperbole. It will take a team effort and players are going to have to step up. There is more on the line than just the ArenaBowl. Next year brings with it more exposure with NBC televising 71 games, than in all the years of this league’s existence combined. Being the best this year will pay off next year.
As America tunes in and turns on to Arena Football on NBC, being “The Champions,” will mean being the top team in Arena Football to millions of new spectators. Players know this, you can bet on it. The motivation to show what you’ve got is a driving force in athletics and a national stage only intensifies it.
Going into next season as the champions has a far greater worth and Gruden and Wagner deserve to be in that spotlight and obviously want to be in that spotlight.
While this year is far from being settled on who will win the championship, one thing is certain: Jay Gruden and Barry Wagner are the reason that this semi-final is worth more than just the trip to this year’s ArenaBowl.
The SaberCats deserve to be called the best team in Arena Football. Their winning percentage and the consistency of core of players that have guys on the bench setting records when they get their shot to play only solidifies this team’s place in the league.
The momentum is now in the hands of the “total team effort.” Yes, Gruden and Wagner are living legends, but games will be won or lost by coaching decisions and players making plays.
Everyone
Arena Football has its superstars and Gruden and Wagner stand out. But, both men will be quick to be quoted saying that no one or two players can beat their teams. Of course it doesn’t hurt their teams to have either player.
Truth is, a game is a game. It all comes down to who makes plays and who doesn’t make mistakes. No matter whether it’s preseason, regular season or the ArenaBowl. I remember a championship football game in 1999 where a simple tackle as time ran out secured the victory for a team and propelled an ex-Arena Football player to folk hero status.
Gruden, Wagner, the SaberCats and the Predators, let’s all enjoy it while it’s here. Unfortunately though, one of these two great players and their teams will be going home and the other will be going to the ArenaBowl.
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.
