Ironman Insider: Joe Jacobs
Tom Goodhines
Tuesday April 4, 2000
What’s the recipe for the ideal Arena Football lineman? Start with size and strength, then add speed and agility, sprinkle in desire, intensity and intelligence, and finally, add a pinch of leadership along with a dash of technique. Presto! You have 6-4, 280-pound Joe Jacobs of the Albany Firebirds.
“A great work ethic is something that a coach loves to see,” said Firebirds’ head coach Mike Dailey. “And that’s why Joe is such a tremendous player – his work ethic and unselfishness.”
After succumbing to a string of injuries in 1997, Jacobs emerged as one of the league’s top linemen in 1998 and 1999, earning First-team All-Arena and Tinactin All-Ironman honors. In 1998, he led all linemen with eight sacks, while also recovering three fumbles, registering two safeties and making 21 tackles, including five for a loss. His sack total was No. 2 in team history, behind Sylvester Bembery’s 8.5 in 1991.
The Firebirds, behind Jacobs’ relentless engine, finished No. 2 in the league with 19 sacks, behind the Tampa Bay Storm’s 29. On the flip side, he was a part of an offensive line that allowed only 10 quarterback muggings, the sixth-lowest total in the league, tied with the Grand Rapids Rampage.
Although he was trained originally as a defensive lineman, the statistic Jacobs is most proud of is on the offensive side. Of the 10 sacks the Firebirds gave up in 1998, he didn’t allow one all season. That might not be enough for a new Rolex from QB Mike Pawlawski, but it sure makes Jacobs one of the finest trained linemen in the league.
“That supports the fact that’s he’s not only a great player on both sides of the ball, but he’s also an unselfish leader on our team,” Dailey said.
For 60 minutes, huge bundles of girth and stamina slam their bodies into one another. One minute, pass and run block. The next, attack and get to the quarterback. In some cases, guys haven’t played defense since peewee football. The tough-nosed style of play is well suited for Jacobs, and has made him a dominant force.
“Joe is an excellent pass rusher who has quickness and a motor that runs all day long,” Dailey said.
“Arena Football is a lot more demanding on the body than regular outdoor football,” Jacobs said. “You can never over-condition yourself for this game. I think that my work ethic is what has helped me become the player I am today.”
While at Utah State, Jacobs achieved All-Big West honors in both his junior and senior seasons. He played in the East-West Shrine Game prior to being signed by the Detroit Lions in 1993. His first day as a Lion saw him line up against perennial All-Pro, Bill Fralic.
“It was my first pads drill and (the coaches) threw me to the lions,” Jacobs recalled. “(Fralic) beat me once, but I held my own the rest of the time.”
This experience helped him see the difference between veterans and rookies.
“To be honest, there really isn’t much difference as far as strength goes. New players can be just as strong, if not stronger, then the veterans. The real difference is technique and experience,” Jacobs said.
His career path later took him to the CFL in 1993, where he heard about possible opportunities in the Arena Football League from a friend. He decided to look into giving it a try. In 1995, Jacobs was traded from the San Jose SaberCats to the Charlotte Rage, and then was acquired by the Firebirds in the 1996 dispersal draft.
In 1998 Joe’s younger brother, Andy, 25, also joined the Firebirds. It was the first time the brothers had played professional football on the same team. Andy, 6-3, 255, was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 defensive end following his junior and senior seasons at the Cal-Berkeley in 1996 and ’97, where he registered 17.5 sacks in his career. It must run in the family.
“It was definitely a thrill for me,” the older Jacobs said. “He’s learned so much about this game, the method and day-to-day training that it takes. I think he has the potential to be one of the league’s best linemen, on both offense and defense.”
The brothers roomed together in 1998, but Andy was chosen by the New England Sea Wolves during the expansion draft and lined up against Joe in 1999.
“I’m not looking forward to it,” Joe said before their match-up in 1999. “It will be tough, both mentally and physically.” The two played even in the head-to-head match-up, but Joe’s team swept the two game series.
During the off-season, Jacobs works as a juvenile counselor in California. As part of his off-season workout regimen, he runs and practices the martial arts of Judo and Jiu-jitsu.
“Individual honors are great, but I really don’t set individual goals,” Jacobs said humbly. “The only goals we set are team goals. That’s to win a championship.”
As one of the league’s toughest linemen, Jacobs might just will that to happen – again.
TOUGHEST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
Rich Mackenzie, Orlando: “(Mackenzie) is extremely tough to get around. He’s big and has super technique and footwork,” Jacobs said.
TOUGHEST DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Willie Wyatt, Tampa Bay: “(Wyatt) is one of the strongest linemen in the league, no question. He comes right at you and can make it a long, long game if he lines up across from you,” Jacobs said.
TOUGHEST ARENA TO COMPETE IN
America West Arena in Phoenix (a.k.a. The Snakepit): “It gets loud when they pack it in there and the fans have those rattles going… it’s hard to think,” Jacobs said. Of course, the Rattlers have allowed just two sacks since the start of the 1997 season.
Tom Goodhines was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
