A New Definition of Backup in San Jose
Tim Ball
Wednesday March 12, 2003
Backups are not thought of as second or third string for the SaberCats, they’re considered teammates. The bench is not a place for non-starters, it is the place where San Jose players wait their turn.
San Jose is the team where the hero of ArenaBowl XVI quarterback John Dutton, was a guy who watched from the sidelines for 80% of the season.
Something is going on here. Against the Chicago Rush, Bailey not only came in and did well in his first start for the SaberCats, he set a team record with four rushing touchdowns in a single game. Add a catch for his fifth TD on the day and Bailey had a great debut even for a San Jose player.
Let’s not stop there. Rookie WR/DB Rasheid Davis garnered the game’s Ironman award for the second straight week with another total performance game. Two other rookies FB/LB Keala Keanaaina and OL/DL Brian Johnson made their presence felt as well by putting points on the board.
In keeping with the backup/star theme, Keanaaina has been dominant since opening day. It needs mentioning that Keanaaina waited his turn to start and was on San Jose’s injured reserve list last season. Even as the third-string rusher on San Jose’s roster, Keanaaina has been nothing short of phenomenal. San Jose’s perfection in the red zone is due in part to the big man making the most of his time on the field. His defense and special teams work are the equal of any player in the league.
On special teams play, OL/DL Brian Johnson (6-3, 295, New Mexico) embarrassed the Rush with a heads-up play on a failed onside kick attempt late in the game. The rookie scooped up the ball from the Chicago five yard line and while Rush players looked on, Johnson didn’t look back or up until he stood on his feet in the endzone.
Rookies and “backups,” scored all but one touchdown for the SaberCats against the Rush in their 71-49 win in Chicago over the league’s top-rated defense.
Experience as teacher
Before anointing the new guys with too much oil, the veterans are still leading the way.
Davis was the recipient of an easy interception and return, not caused by the rusty arm of backup quarterback Chad Salisbury but by a simple exercise practiced many times. As Salisbury set to throw a timing route, nine-year veteran OL/DL Darrin Kenney thrust his arm up, causing Salisbury to double pump on the throw.
When his receiver stumbled trying to come back on the throw, Salisbury could only watch as Davis was allowed a free angle on a good throw and streaked virtually untouched for his second touchdown of the game. While Davis garnered his second Ironman of the game award, it was experience by a veteran that set things in motion.
When Chicago had pulled to within a touchdown on a thrilling comeback in the third quarter and then intercepted Grieb with a chance to even the game, it was veteran WR/LB James Roe who came up big for San Jose.
In what could have been the play of the season, WR Antonio Chatman, running wide right suddenly stopped and threw a pass back across the field to wide-open lineman James Baron, who had snuck far behind the SaberCats defense. Chatman’s throw lacked enough arc to make it to Baron and Roe didn’t refuse the gift. A San Jose score that sealed Chicago’s fate followed the interception by Roe.
“We are confident in the players we’ve selected,” said offensive coordinator/personnel director Terry Malley. “You know that you are going to have to call on other players throughout the season. Injuries are part of the game and replacement is a factor. What teammates learn from each other in practice is key to winning.”
The veterans administration
While San Jose’s new guys were having a great time of it against Chicago, some familiar faces were looking forward to the record books as well.
Head coach Darren Arbet and OL/DL San Hernandez had one thing in common against the Rush, the number 50. Coach Arbet received his 50th win, while Sam Hernandez earned his 50th career sack in grand style by sacking Chicago’s Brian Ah Yat in his first AFL start for a safety.
Grieb showed why he was awarded offensive player of the year last season by completing his first nine passes of the game. While San Jose has unleashed an impressive running game for 2003, Grieb proved he is back at the helm with his performance against the number one rated defense in the AFL.
DS Clevan Thomas netted his eighth interception on the season and forced the opposing team strategy to once again attack anywhere he wasn’t playing.
“Thomas covers so well it frustrates the timing of quarterbacks and limits the choices they have to make,” said defensive coordinator Michael Church. “It is already difficult enough with the size of the field in this league. Thomas cuts that in half.”
Church couldn’t have asked for more of his team in the first half. His well-oiled machine treated Ah Yat to a nightmare start. Ah Yat would not return in the second half. Instead, he was replaced by Salisbury who also had to endure the SaberCats defense, throwing another interception for a touchdown.
When Chicago took command of the game and momentum was grinding down the SaberCats, it was one of Church’s experienced defenders that received the gift from the sky on Chatman’s errant throw.
And last, but certainly not least, San Jose’s battle-proven kicker Daron Alcorn may have been the single most important reason why the SaberCats beat the Rush. Alcorn’s AFL experience shined through.
One easy ball was caught and returned for a touchdown so quickly by Chicago’s return artist Antonio Chatman that no one else but Alcorn could have solved the problem.
After Alcorn learned the hard way, Chatman was shut down by strategic kicks that moved the speedster all over the endzone or went through the nets for a touchback. If it were not for Alcorn’s ability to kick the ball with precision and his experience to recognize the threat, Chatman would have wreaked havoc on the SaberCats’ special teams unit.
Be ready in San Jose
As veterans and new players find cohesion, the SaberCats are forging ahead in a direction they know well. Last season saw no letdown, but for one brief moment in one game. The shock at losing their starting quarterback to a season-ending injury against Arizona galvanized the franchise.
As a backup picked up where the starter left off last season and dominated along with his teammates to a championship like no other, fear of the unknown gave way to the comfort in being prepared for it.
This season, Bailey has replaced Hundon and the San Jose scoring machine was not slowed in the least. In fact a new avenue was opened by Bailey’s ability to run the ball.
San Jose has lost two games so far this season but found how to win in the process. It is in the familiar place of trusting the new guy. It is the place San Jose has seen success and at the highest level.
Take a look at the roster. I’m sure the next SaberCats’ star is waiting his turn, watching from the bench.
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.
