Return of the Wizard
Tony Mercado
Monday February 13, 2006
The SaberCat's offensive wizard returned to calling the plays this weekend and the result was the kind of high octaned, balanced football you'd expect from a Terry Malley influenced team, a team that has suddenly found itself at the most opportune time.
Its offense, much maligned in it previous two games, clicked on all cylinders, unveiling a surprising ground game that recorded five touchdowns while setting loose that familiar and dangerous passing attack that made San Jose one of the most feared teams in the Arena Football League.
The team scored on every possesion save for the last in the closing seconds of the contest. Quarterback Mark Grieb found his beat in passing for 283 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers. Recevier Calvin Schexnayder blossomed, catching nine passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. And the SaberCats' point total - 58 - was its largest since putting up a team record 89 at Colorado last year.
In short, it was the kind of prowess and spark the SaberCats hoped would occur with Malley's return.
"He prepared us very well," said Grieb. "(This win) is huge."
No doubt about it.
The SaberCats are home from the Arizona desert a much different team than the one that left San Jose with an 0-2 record for its worst start in eight seasons. They've now got a share of first place in the Western Division after Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Utah lost.
Now, the credit for this win over the Rattlers isn't all because of Malley. That's not right to say. The entire coaching staff came in with a great game plan, from offensive coordinator Shalon Baker and head coach Darren Arbet to first-year defensive head man Kevin Guy. Props to them.
I mean, the 'Cats reduced its penalties by half, five on Sunday compared to 10 in each of last two games. The defense stopped Arizona on five different series and forced two turnovers.
But it's Malley, in my opinion, who has helped conjure up the SaberCats of old. I mean, how can you argue with a man who in each of his first full six seasons as the club's offensive mastermind, had the SaberCats leading the league in scoring four times and placing second twice?
San Jose is nearing the halfway mark of its five-game road trip. Let's hope whatever spell was cast on the team in Arizona doesn't ebb soon. Coming home with a 4-2 record to face divisional rival Los Angeles would be huge.
And with Malley back where he belongs, the SaberCats may have regained that magic touch.
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.
