SaberCats Leadership in the AFL
Tim Ball
Saturday May 7, 2005
One team in the Arena Football League has set a standard by which the entire organization has benefited. While many AFL teams have come and gone and new franchises are trying to find there way in the league, the San Jose SaberCats have set an example with style and consistency.
Arena Football is now mainstream on the national scene after years of having a voice seldom in print and mainly on cable TV. With the unprecedented exposure over the last three years arising from the network coverage of The AFL on NBC, players that were only occasionally noticed are now highlighted as football stars every week.
2002 may have been the most defining year for the Arena Football League as coming of age as a league of truly talented athletes and amazing football players. The team that brought attention and respect to the AFL is the San Jose SaberCats. Under the leadership of head coach Darren Arbet and offensive coordinator Terry Malley the SaberCats pursued perfection that was noticed nationwide.
Many of the most important steps towards legitimacy have highlighted San Jose. Linking the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins to the 2002 SaberCats in their run for an unbeaten season was a major story on ESPN and brought notice to the AFL for excellence in its own right.
Year in and year out it is the SaberCats that set the bar for excellence that other teams strive to achieve. Having the best win-loss record at 58-17 in the regular season, two championship and playoff berths in the last five seasons, it is no wonder that against the SaberCats team measures their worth as true contenders.
Mark Grieb moved the entire AFL another step in the right direction. The prestigious Maxwell Football Club named the SaberCats quarterback as their first ever recipient of the AFL Player of the Year Award for his incredible performance during the 2004 season. At the 68th Annual Awards dinner held on March 4th, 2005, Grieb was honored along with Indianapolis Colt’s quarterback Peyton Manning (Professional Player of the Year), San Diego Charger head coach Marty Schottenheimer (Professional Coach of the Year) and Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Jason White (College Player of the Year).
Head coach Darren Arbet was named the AFL’s coach of the year in 2000 and 2002 and was hand picked by AFL Commissioner David Baker to serve on a blue ribbon rules committee as a part of a panel to explore possible rules changes to reduce the length of arena Football games for its television broadcasts for NBC. For the last two years Arbet has also been involved with NFL coaching staffs as part of the leagues Minority Internship Program. Arbet, who is a native of Stockton California, was honored as an inductee into that city’s Black Sports Hall of Fame, alongside other football greats Derek Kennard and Webster Slaughter.
San Jose standards
While building for the future and showcasing the next chapter in league stars, San Jose still has a winning record and their eye on a legitimate chance to repeat.
San Jose not only continues to produce new AFL top performers (Rashied Davis, Rodney Wright, Tremain Mack) many of the most successful teams in the league not surprisingly have ex-SaberCats doing the producing.
The Chicago Rush has ex-SaberCats FB/LB Bob McMillen and DS Charles Pauley who has the distinction of being the number one player picked in the pre-season expansion draft. Colorado Crush boasts AFL stars John Dutton and Kevin McKenzie, New Orleans has standout OS Aaron Bailey and the Dallas Desperados has DS Hamin Milligan who was on the team (Arizona Rattlers) last year that twice beat San Jose in the regular season.
And the Nashville Kats’ acquisition of WR/DB Fred Coleman (a member of the 2004 ArenaBowl champions) has that team on the right path as the Kats pulled off a dramatic underdog win over San Jose last week. Not surprisingly every team (except for the expansion Kats) listed above has the playoffs in sight.
Why San Jose
SaberCats players and coaches have a style that simply sets them apart from the common image so often accurately portrayed by today’s professional athlete. The self-centered self-promotion that taints pro sports by athletes who demand credit when in the limelight is never present in anyone on the SaberCats. That style manifests itself in a team togetherness rarely seen anymore.
"Our players put in the time and effort for the success we have," Says head coach Darren Arbet.
"Our coaches prepare us for the adversity and challenges of what this game throws at us week after week. It’s their leadership that keeps us focused." Said Rashied Davis the AFL’s offensive player of the month for March.
Trying to get anyone on the SaberCats to take individual responsibility for a touchdown or a dramatic winning play is not easy. Whether a coach, a starting veteran or a rookie thrust into the limelight, teammates are just that. Whether press release or game report no one looks for stardom outside of the team.
Football teams start with the head coach. When San Jose had one win and three losses Arbet was resolute. "We’ll look at the mistakes we made and make the adjustments. I have total confidence in this coaching staff and the players that we’ll be successful." San Jose won the next five straight games in dominating fashion. When asked what he did to motivate the team Arbet pointed the light elsewhere. "Terry Malley and Michael Church do a great job of preparing this team in practice and it pays pay off in game situations."
Malley’s offense scored 80-plus points in back-to-back weeks and leads the league in productivity again, yet he is quick to minimize his role in San Jose’s scoring prowess. "The players take it upon themselves to be ready," said Malley. "We feel that we have the kind of athletes on this team that have the work ethic that breeds success."
Church, whose aggressive defensive style changed the AFL, also has another player of the month on his side of the ball. Along with Davis’ offensive recognition, rookie defensive specialist Tremain Mack has earned AFL monthly honors. Echoing Malley, coach Church was quick to give credit elsewhere. "Talent is one thing, but we have guys that listen and learn and improve where they need to week in and week out," said Church. "That is not something you can coach into a player."
Self-promotion in pro sports is all too common in today’s world and in a league just entering the mainstream Arena Football players should be expected to grab as much of the spotlight as possible. On a team with the best winning record over the last five seasons, two championships and MVP’s on both offense and defense, San Jose should be the place where egos should find a loud voice.
Three of the leagues best players are on the SaberCats offense. Yet not one will take sole credit for their achievements. "It’s easy to complete passes when you’re throwing to guys like James Roe or Rashied Davis," said Grieb. "Mark puts the ball where you can’t help but catch it," said Roe. "He makes it easy."
A player scoring twelve touchdowns in two weeks should be expected to take some credit for that incredible endeavor but Davis sees the SaberCats mission first and foremost. "I just follow the example of the guys around me," said Davis. "Coach Malley sends in the plays and if it’s not me it would be someone else."
Individual team effort
A practice squad player and a sidelined superstar out on injury may help shed light on the SaberCats consistency and winning formula.
Well before the home game got started with Dallas, rookie WR/DB Yardon Brantley was on the game roster and was all smiles and energy having been called up to play in his first AFL game. His excitement could literally be felt across the arena as he was jumping and diving for passes to prove he was "ready to go."
And offensive specialist James Hundon – still recuperating from injury - was there as well long before game time lending his experience and knowledge to both teammates and the pre-game radio show.
As game time approached neither Hundon nor Brantley would be part of the game. Last minute coaching decisions had the rookie back in street clothes and Hundon was already wearing a headset for his game predictions.
When asked about disappointment, Brantley replied with a familiar SaberCats response. "I trust our coaches," said the stoic rookie. "I’ve seen how players are treated on this team and if you put in the time on the practice field you’ll get your chance. My day will come if I keep at it."
And when Hundon was through with tape delayed advice and wit, he was on his way back to his teammates. "I’m on this team no matter what," said Hundon. "If I can’t play then I’ll be there for the guys who going to take us all they way."
While 2005 has proven to be the season the AFL has been hoping for in its last eighteen years - with a wide-open playoff scenario going down to the wire and respect for it’s brand of football - the SaberCats have already won eight games and look to be around the top for seasons to come.
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.
