San Jose Rolls Out the Red Carpet
Tim Ball
Wednesday February 9, 2005
The San Jose franchise planned an opening night like no other, but by the time the "fashionably late" Bay area sports fans rolled into the house, there was barely room for cotton candy vendors.
And some paid a high price.
San Jose gave away replica championship rings to the first 7,500 fans and those that played the laid-back Bay Area game of "I’ll get there when I want to," didn’t get one. And the quality appearance of the gift definitely had some fans feeling slighted. But then again they got a fantastic rock concert for only the price of a game ticket.
"This was my first Arena football game. I came for Smash Mouth, but people told me I would like the SaberCats," said Jennifer Gasaway. "Everything happens so fast and the game was really fun. I definitely want to go to another one."
Stoic supporters
Last week, the SaberCats suffered one of the worse losses in team history, but San Jose fans know this league well and that the SaberCats aren’t the only powerhouse in the AFL.
In one of those long lines was a group of ten or so green and gold clad fans in different shades of passionate support. "Hey look, we weren’t up against an AF2 team last week," said one of them.
"We weren’t on our game last week and Marcum was out for blood for what we did last season in the playoffs," said a bearded guy. "The Storm had us by the throats and they squeezed, you gotta do that to good teams" said another. "You don’t get five championships like the Storm by not avenging losses. Watch what we do to Vegas tonight. It’s payback time."
But the passion and prediction was well placed, as the SaberCats would beat the Gladiators 66-31, very similar in fashion to the fate they had been dealt a week earlier.
Experiencing experience
Experience and knowledge gave the SaberCats the edge over the weapons of Las Vegas. While an injury to James Hundon forced movement at one offensive position, only experience would do against a team that boasts the 2004 Offensive Player of the Year in Marcus Nash and quarterback Clint Dolezel, whose finger sports a 2001 ArenaBowl ring.
Starting for San Jose at offensive specialist for Hundon was 10-year AFL veteran Calvin Schexnayder who came to the SaberCats from Arizona in 2003. "Shakes,"- a nickname garnered in his days as a Rattlers fan favorite - not only filled in for the Hundon, but also would lead the SaberCats in the win over Las Vegas with three touchdowns on the evening.
"I just didn’t want to disappointment my teammates," said Schexnayder just moments after game ended. "If they have the confidence in me, all I can do is respond. This was a total team effort and it was the defense that came up huge in the second half, not just offense."
The most welcomed news of the evening was the return of SaberCats veterans WR/LB Shalon Baker and center Frank Beede. Both Beede and Baker played pivotal roles in the two championship seasons for San Jose and their presence on the field was felt by all.
With Schexnayder in a groove and Beede snapping the ball again, Baker joined Wagner and Roe for a receiving core that quarterback Mark Grieb targeted time and again.
"Shalon knows our system so well and I know he’ll be where I need him to be," said Grieb, "To have a guy that talented to come off of the IR and perform like that time and again is a great asset to the team."
"I know my role," said Baker. "On every play there is more than one thing that makes it successful or not. No matter a catch, a touchdown or a block if I can be where I’m needed that’s all that matters."
Even with all of their veteran leadership, San Jose’s rookie wide receiver Ryan Fernandez made his presence felt with a rushing touchdown and a pass reception for a score. Fernandez stepped up in the manner of past heroes Steve Papin, Aaron Bailey, Kevin McKenzie and Fred Coleman and found a welcomed spot among San Jose stars.
To end all
And then there was the San Jose defense.
To validate the vengeance flowing in the veins of the vicious San Jose faithful, the SaberCats shut out the Gladiators in the second half.
Las Vegas was hampered by the loss of Nash who suffered an injury when running into the boards in the second quarter. Fortunately, Nash was able to leave the field under his own power.
"We were a little out of synch as far as not having Nash out there in the second half," said Dolezel. "We missed a couple of opportunities scoring on the first drive, I had Porter down the sideline wide open and I overthrew him. You can’t miss those opportunities against a team like San Jose."
"You can’t come into this house against this team without everything in place," said Gladiators head coach Ron James. "They’re the champions for a reason and play especially well in their house.
As momentum swayed mercilessly against the Gladiators in the second half, San Jose would see to it that Las Vegas would not find the rhythm to have it swing back against them.
"Our team took it upon themselves to come out and play hard," said SaberCats head coach Darren Arbet. "Coaches put the lineup together but it’s the players who look within themselves. You find quality guys, who believe in each other and let them respond. They did a great job tonight."
San Jose’s veterans led the way as OS Calvin Schexnayder was named Offensive player of the Game for his three touchdown receptions. DS Omar Smith was Defensive Player of the Game for his interception and pass breakups, while FB/LB Matt Kinsinger earned Ironman honors for his two rushing touchdowns and an interception.
Winning ways
The San Jose SaberCats are back in the win column in convincing fashion.
Old and new fans were still smiling at midnight after the post game concert heading to the parking lot. Opening day was a success and the franchise as a whole deserves a moment to bask in the glow of hanging another ArenaBowl banner in the rafters and giving the home fans a taste of it all.
But not for long.
The New Orleans VooDoo is next and revenge is once again the dish du jour.
The SaberCats ended the season for New Orleans last season in the playoffs and with Andy Kelly now at quarterback, past history will be staring right into the faces of SaberCats defensive players.
Kelly piloted the Nashville Kats in 2000 and 2001 to victories over San Jose in those playoffs to sidetrack the franchise from what could be many more than just two championships for San Jose.
San Jose SaberCats (1-1) vs. New Orleans VooDoo (1-1)
February 13, 2005. 3:00pm EST at the New Orleans Arena
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.
