A Tough task ahead for Orlando against San Jose
Tim Ball
Friday May 17, 2002
A legend with the Predators, Wagner comes into Orlando for the first time since leaving the team to play for San Jose in 2000. The Predators and SaberCats have played each other four times, all in San Jose. Last season’s 59-35 win over the SaberCats on May 26, evened the series at 2-2. The previous meeting was a May 24, 1996 San Jose victory, 42-25.
The tie that binds
In a strange twist of fate, Predators quarterback Jay Gruden is a facing a familiar foe in Wagner but from an odd perspective. Gruden left his position as the Predators head coach to play quarterback for the team. Gruden led Orlando’s greatest rival, the Tampa Bay Storm, from 1991 to 1996 and won four ArenaBowl Championships, with the victory in ArenaBowl IX over Wagner and Orlando.
Both Gruden and Wagner entered the league in ‘91 and bring a history and pedigree as ArenaBowl champions and record holders in almost every category. A quick search of stats on AFL Roundhouse (.com) (or here on Arenafan –Ed.) shows why both athletes are living legends.
Class in session
The SaberCats lead the league in many statistical categories. Quarterback Mark Grieb is out front in most offensive departments. In the first four games of the season, Grieb is 85 of 125 attempts with 25 touchdowns and 1,191 total yards. Most importantly Grieb has thrown no interceptions. OS James Hundon has 35 receptions, 513 total yards and 13 touchdowns. With San Jose’s 8.2 yards per play average, Orlando has their work cut out for them.
San Jose’s defense leads the league in sacks with eight. The defense has been the deciding factor for victory in the first three games. The SaberCats sensational rookie DS Clevan Thomas has shown toughness along with speed. He leads the team in tackles with 24, has saved a game with an interception in the end zone, has a kickoff return for a touchdown and virtually shuts down his side of the field on coverage. The SaberCats defense equals the offense in player productivity position for position.
Mano a Mano
Sensational plays against the SaberCats have had little effect. The Avengers Chad Burkes’ heroics, Georgia’s roughing tactics, a humiliating fumble in Tampa Bay or Arizona’s never say die comeback all came up short. SaberCats opponents are faced with having to match up individually for all four quarters.
Orlando will need consistency over the entire game. DS Kenny McEntyre leads the league in interceptions with five. This can’t hurt. Quarterback Jay Gruden lives for pressure and thrives in it. This can’t hurt either. Unfortunately for the Predators, that leaves 18 other players to match up.
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.
