Thomas named AFL Defensive Player of the Week

Tuesday June 17, 2008

SaberCats DB Nabs 2 Picks In Division-Clinching Win
 
SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 17, 2008) – San Jose SaberCats DB CLEVAN THOMAS, who intercepted two passes in the team’s Western Division-clinching win over Tampa Bay on Saturday, was today named the Arena Football League’s ADT Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Along with his Week 16 high-tying two picks, Thomas (5-10, 199, Florida St.) also registered six tackles and two pass breakups as the SaberCats clinched their third straight Western Division title and eight overall with a 73-70 win over the Storm.
 
“Our goal is to win a championship,” said Thomas. “Personal accolades come when the team success is great.”
 
Thomas snared his first interception of the game during the second quarter with Tampa Bay leading 14-7 and threatening to take a two-touchdown lead. He stepped in front of a Brett Dietz offering in his endzone thwarting the drive. Thomas’s second pick late in the fourth quarter led to a SaberCats’ touchdown and a 17-point lead.
 
The two interceptions gave Thomas a team record five career multi-interception games and increased his total to 48, tying Barry Wagner for third place on the AFL’s career chart.
 
The award is the third for Thomas in his 7-year career and the fourth time a SaberCat has earned a league weekly honor this season.
 
Philadelphia quarterback Matt D’Orazio was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Georgia WR/LB Carl Morris earned Ironman honors.
 
The SaberCats conclude the 2008 regular season hosting the Georgia Force on Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available and can be purchased at the HP Pavilion ticket office, all Northern California Ticketmaster locations and on line at ticketmaster.com.
 
A premiere franchise in the Arena Football League, San Jose has won three ArenaBowl championships and captured eight Western Division titles, nine consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league’s best regular season record this decade.