A Record Setting Night, A Record Setting Year.
Robert Babcock
Friday June 16, 2000
With that many points scored, there was a lot of pressure on the defense. "That was a tough game mentally more then anything," DS Lee Cole said, "In order to beat teams like the New England Sea Wolves you have to concentrate for four quarters."
The game went back and forth, score-for-score, from start to finish. The SaberCats` were obviously not happy giving up that many points. "I didn`t like it too much," said DS Terrance Joseph, "They really didn`t mess with me much. [They would] motion me to the wall and mess with the other two DB`S. It really hit my pride because I know we`re a better defense.”
The Sea Wolves didn`t go to Joseph. They picked on Cole. "They [opponents] try to do that every week," barked Cole.
The special teams didn`t show that much luster either. Sea Wolves Kick off Specialist Anthony Derricks` claimed a record four kickoff returns for touchdowns for 336 yards.“Yes, that too is also a record. We gave up four touchdowns. That was kind of hard", said an emotional Cole, "they just wanted it more, no excuse for it. They out hustled us [on kickoffs]. If you look at the stats, that is the only way they were in it."
“I’ve never had that done to me in 8 Years," said WS/DB Barry Wagner, adding, "Some guys take special teams off so they are rested on offense and defense."
They found the weak spot on the SaberCats and capitalized. Don’t look for it to happen to the SaberCats again. We can all rest assured that special teams was the focus at practice this week.
Emotions were definitely high during this game. When teams are at each other`s throats you are bound to have some heated discussions. "Emotions were very high[in the game]," said Cole, "A lot of things happened at halftime that shouldn`t have. Coach wanted us to regain our composure. To go out and play SaberCats football."
"There was a lot of jaw jacking,” continued Cole," That is just the nature of the game. It kind of went overboard. When it comes to a blow that is just unexcusable [The team] that can refocus, as coach says ‘reload,’ is the team that can win. When you are out of control the other team has the upper hand. That is what happened. At halftime, we basically came back and said, ‘let`s reload.’"
The defense did have its shining moments though; Sam Hernandez has his paw in the record book now as the AFL’s new sack leader. What better way to get the most sacks but with a safety? The sack that gave him 44.5 was one that gave the SaberCats the win. He forced a fumble on the play, allwoing FB/LB Joey Dozier to pick up the ball and score.
Does having the most sacks in the AFL mean anything to him? “It is a good thing, but more important for me is to get the Arenabowl," said a humble Hernandez, "It is more a personal thing to have the record, stat wise."
Somebody that knows all about personal records is Wagner, who concurs. "It is great for an individual," When asked what he thought about Hernandez`s record. "That is a record that you hold -- not the team. The only way a team will hold a record is go in and win the championship."
For Terrance Joseph, Hernandez’ sack and forced fumble couldn’t have come at a better time. "I really did enjoy when it was 78 to 76. I got a rush.” said Joseph, “Big players like big time situations. At the time we were in position to lose the game. In my opinion we expect great players to do that,"
Offensively, this team is capable of scoring the record of 91 points held by New Jersey. “We could do it,” QB John Dutton said, “but you have to get the ball to bounce your way. We can only stop ourselves.”
The team has so many offensive weapons, and all of them were in the game on Friday. “We could do [it] with a lot of different receivers, if Wagner goes down we have WR/DB James Roe; if Roe goes down we have WR/LB Shalon Baker,” said Joseph, “It is just a matter of; Do we want to risk playing our better receivers toward the end of the game when we are up by 25 points?”
What can we expect next week from a team that scores 85 points, 78, 64, and 61? Well, with an above average 63 points, I am sure that you will see the ball flying. As the slogan goes in the AFL, "DON`T BLINK." If you do, I am sure you will miss something.
Robert Babcock was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
