Papin and Garcia Return to San Jose, AFL
Dave Harwood
Friday June 21, 2002
We all have been anticipating this contest between Steve Papin and the SaberCats. Papin returns after seeking `other opportunities` in New York. What has he done with New York you might ask? How about a 2-7 record, currently second worst in the league.
 Papin used to be #1 with the SaberCats. Now he wears a Dragons jersey. Image courtesy of Jeff Marshall |
Garcia led the AFL in touchdown passes in 2001 with 104 (a league record) and was the toast of New York as he led the team to an 8-6 record (5-3 at home). The previous AFL residents in New York (the Knights in 1988 and the CityHawks in 1997-98) amassed a 7-33 record (2-18 at home). With records like this, no wonder the teams kept folding or moving.
What does this all mean to the SaberCats? It could mean trouble if Papin gets into one of those "I gotta beat my former team" modes and Garcia is still unhappy with the 49ers and takes it out on the SaberCat Defensive Backs.
Where is TNN?...This is Game of the Week material! Oh, they are in Grand Rapids.
While the New York team will be a whole new team with Garcia in the mix, you cannot throw away what the SaberCats have done offensively. Looking at the numbers, the SaberCats are first in offensive scoring (65.9 points per game), second in red-zone offense (91.3%), second in total offense (300.3 yards per game) as well as being first in Pass Rating (129.4). Not to leave out the Defense, currently the SaberCat `D is third in total defense (246.7 yards per game) and third in takeaways with 21 (1st overall in turnover margin at +10). The SaberCats are dominating the league with the numbers to show it.
The Dragons may keep up, but they will have to stop the SaberCats to win. If I remember correctly, the OS and QB don`t play defense.
Dave Harwood was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2001 to 2003.
