San Jose/Nashville Match Up a Test of Mettle Over Brawn
Robert Babcock
Saturday August 12, 2000
In this battle of the big cats, the scorekeepers should be busy. The Nashville defense couldn’t stop the Barnstormers until QB Aaron Garcia was injured in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the SaberCats score over 60 points per game on average. The game will either be decided by the SaberCats’ ability to stop Nashville’s offense, or the last team to score.
Many teams that have met the SaberCats this year have walked away wounded and beaten. While Nashville is playing well, they can’t afford to lose any players. On the last play of the game against the Barnstormers, Nashville QB Andy Kelly suffered a “stinger.” It is unlikely this injury will hamper the journeyman quarterback, but if so, look for the ‘Cats to run away with it.
LB/WR Shalon Baker is one SaberCat who’s had his share of injuries this season. “When I am out there I will give 100 percent,” Said Baker, “Hopefully, I can be an inspiration to my teammates.”
 Tommy Jones has changed from DS to play both offense and defense Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall |
Lee Cole is enjoying the glory of the ‘Cats winning season after playing last season with the ill-fated Buffalo Destroyers’ 1-13 campaign.. “We try to get the best match-ups possible,” said Cole on Jones, “Tommy Jones playing offense or who ever is in that position is going to be exciting to watch.”
Quarterback Mark Grieb thinks it might be tough this week. “They are very good,” Grieb said of Nashville, “We have talked about it all year; we have to go out and play our game.” Grieb is having an MVP season, though it will likely be his last. After the playoffs are over, Grieb said he’d be accepting a coaching position at Stanford College.
If they go out and strike first, then the SaberCats will be in the ArenaBowl for the first time, and not only that, but in front of the home crowd. When the offense is on, nobody can stop this team. The offense has such a great arsenal that they are likely to score on every possession.
Nonetheless, they still have much to prove. With the number one seed in the playoffs, and the league’s best regular-season record, they are expected to win it all, hands down. But their lack of playoff experience as a team creates uncertainty among the media and the fans.
“When you have a 12-2 record that must speak for itself,” explained Grieb, “When you win twelve in a row you must be doing something right. The most important thing to do is go out and play and not get distracted by what others say.”
These players feel that nobody can stop them but themselves. If they can continue to perform as they have all season, then they will not only be in the ArenaBowl on the 20th of August, they’ll win it.
Robert Babcock was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
