SaberCats rookie Davis takes Center Stage as Training Camp Winds Down
Tim Ball
Monday January 27, 2003
Last year in the first preseason game against the Carolina Cobras, San Jose let it be known that they had a very talented rookie and weren’t afraid to use him.
DS Clevan Thomas showcased his talent during that game by returning two interceptions for touchdowns, setting the stage for one of the most remarkable first seasons in league history.
Thomas would go on to earn Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year honors, all while standing with his talented teammates as champions of ArenaBowl XVI. Thomas finished the season as he had started it, by scoring a defensive touchdown and being key to victory.
“There is no doubt Clevan was a big part of our team in 2002,” said defensive coach Michael Church. “He brought a quiet determination to every down. He played in every game from preseason to championship. As a rookie he showed the confidence of a veteran. His performance in the ArenaBowl was indicative of the hard work he put in all season.”
On the SaberCats that’s saying a lot. No matter how hard reporters try to elicit bravado from player or coach, they always come up with an understatement. OK, OK, except Wagner…
The new guy
Make room for Rookie Rashied Davis (5-10, 180, San Jose State), who is slated to play both sides of the ball as wide receiver and defensive back for the upcoming 2003 campaign.
If Thomas set the tone for 2002 in last years preseason, then Davis’ performance in the preseason “scrimmage” against the 2001 ArenaBowl champion Grand Rapids Rampage just set the volume up a notch.
Davis scored on two kickoff returns, caught a touchdown pass from Mark Grieb and added an interception while covering defensive duties in the SaberCats’ 54- 49 win over Grand Rapids. Not a bad way to impress even the SaberCats players.
Though making the team in 2002, Davis was sidelined with a leg injury before the first preseason game. Remaining on the roster on the injured reserves list while going through rehab, its safe to say that Davis was taking notes on the history-making season.
I met Davis for the first time last year at a practice, as he was riding the exercise bike. For those of you who like the class act of the SaberCats, Davis is as accessible as it gets. He knows he’s good -- don’t let me kid you -- but being “good” on a team with the winning percentage of Arbet’s SaberCats and facing competition intent on elevating their game to beat you, you’d better be very good.
“Rasheid is doing real well but we do have a lot of guys we feel can play. That’s why you bring 37 guys in and you break it down to 24,” said head coach Darren Arbet, who, like a surgeon going about his duties continued, “We’ll see who can play.”
“I want and chance to show what I can do,” said Davis. “It was frustrating to not be able to play last season. My teammates and coaches have been there for me to learn. Things happen fast and they’re teaching me every day. It’s not easy in practice because the level of play is kept intense.”
While playing alongside teammates the caliber of Wagner, Thomas and the long list of superstars in San Jose, Davis’ performance against Grand Rapids is an indication he’s taken his time on the sidelines seriously as well.
Since he’ll be wearing the number “1” he’d better be.
Steve “Coast to Coast” Papin, two-time “Don’t Blink Player of the Year award winner (98, 99), wore number one proudly in five seasons for San Jose and is a hard act to follow even to this day. His career total of 21 combined kick returns ranks him as one of the best to ever play in the AFL. And, as Rookie of the Year, Thomas even eclipsed Papin’s single season kickoff returns.
Following in the footsteps of both Papin and Thomas, Davis will be expected to strike the same fear in opposing special teams’ if he does end up taking kickoffs in the regular season.
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.
