Despite losing game, receivers, SaberCats still believe
Tony Mercado
Thursday February 2, 2006
One game doesn’t make a season. And it surely doesn’t warrant folding up the tents despite the news the team may be without the services once again of their top receivers.
A hamstring injury has put Barry Wagner, in my mind the greatest player in Arena Football League history, on injured reserve and out against Las Vegas on Monday. James Roe, who suffered a mild concussion and was stretchered off the field after hauling in an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Grieb on the SaberCats’ first possession, is out indefinitely. And Rodney Wright remains questionable because of turf toe.
"We're not going to go and push the panic button," a steady voiced Arbet said. "There's no reason for that."
OK, we all know the ‘Cats didn’t have an easy time against the Utah Blaze. They gave up 48 points and committed 10 penalties for 106 yards along the way. They missed some scoring opportunities and showed a surprising and uncharacteristic lack of continuity on the offensive side of the ball.
"Obviously, we didn't do a lot of things so well," said Arbet. "But we've got 15 games to correct all that stuff and get it right so we can roll into the playoffs."
Coach says this with confidence. And you know what? I believe him. Last year, the SaberCats dropped three of their first four games before turning things around to make the post season.
I doubt it’s going to take that long this time around.
"We do have some questions to answer," said Grieb. "But the chemistry is there. I’m hoping James can play. But if he can’t, we'll have to move on and go to somebody else."
That somebody could be receiver Charles Pauley, who had a breakout game when pressed into duty to spell the loss of the three. Pauley led the team with 11 catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns in his step-up role.
So C.P. can play, especially when you consider that throughout training camp, he had worked all his routes from the outside receiver position. Once those guys went down, he came in to play the middle, dealing with different reads and quite often, different routes.
"It was a new twist and different position for me, so I just tried to come out and do what I could do and try to make some plays," he said. "I think it made me a stronger player."
After practice this week, expect all the SaberCats to come out better players. Like Las Vegas, which dropped its season opener to the Austin Wranglers 64-46, San Jose is eager to put this game behind them and prove they are still the team to beat in the Arena Football League.
Arbet said he’s confident about what the SaberCats can do on the field. Looking back at the Utah contest, he said every one of the guys never quit.
"All we have to do is stick together," he said. "We'll continue to work every day, practice hard, play hard and believe."
Other notes:
More thoughts on Wagner
I was greatly looking forward to seeing Barry Wagner take the field and put on a show that would remind people across the league of just who really is the greatest player in AFL history.
I’m sure my disappointment at Barry not being able to play is nothing compared to how he feels, although my sense is he’s more concerned with helping his team win a title than with individual accolades.
As most of you remember, the AFL named Eddie Brown the greatest of all time to help commemorate the league’s 20th year in existence. Only one point separated Mr. Brown from Wagner, which to me, represents at least a tie.
Here’s what’s neat. Barry will be back. And he needs only 165 all-purpose yards to become the league’s career leader. He’s currently third on the list with 20,423 yards behind former Tampa Bay Storm George LaFrance and current Utah assistant coach Hunkie Cooper, who holds the record with 20,587.
By the end of the season, if the SaberCats find their groove, there may eventually have to be a recount of that vote that could see our very own Barry Wagner on top.
Right where he should be.
Who’s the ‘Cats’ greatest?
Alright, all this talk about the league’s 20 greatest players got me thinking – itself a task that should give everyone cause for worry – about just who would make up the list for the greatest players in San Jose SaberCat’s history.
That’s where you, the fans of the team, are going to come in.
I want to hear from you and get your thoughts on who should be heralded as among the best San Jose produced.
We’ll publish your opinions and possibly hear from some of the players that you want on that soon-to-be coveted list.
Tony Mercado holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Jose State University and spent 10 years as a newspaper reporter in the Bay Area. He now works in the public relations field, but continues to enjoy writing about the local teams and the positive impact its players, coaches and dance squads have in their communities.
