San Jose SaberCats Go through Second Week of Training Camp in Preparation to Defend AFL Title

Thursday

14Feb2008

Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 02:15PM

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – SAN JOSE, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2008) – As the defending ArenaBowl champion SaberCats enter their second week of training camp, the thought of going against a live opponent has entered the thoughts of many players and coaches. The team will get the chance on Tuesday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. when the SaberCats scrimmage the Kansas City Brigade at the Stockton Arena.

“The players have battled against each other in practice from the start of camp,” said SaberCats' head coach and general manager Darren Arbet about his 2008 squad. “It’s time to see the progress they’ve made so far.”

The SaberCats will face 2007 Sportexe Arena Football Coach of the Year Kevin Porter and his Brigade for the first time ever. The Brigade began play in the AFL in 2006 and made its first playoff appearance last season.

“Kevin is an excellent coach and this will be a good test for our guys who are trying to make the roster,” added Arbet.

CARTER X 2
During the offseason, the SaberCats acquired a couple of veteran Carters from around the league. Toure’ Carter was selected in the Dispersal Draft from the dismantled Austin Wranglers in October. Frank Carter was targeted by San Jose during free agency after spending 2007 with the Utah Blaze and will enter his seventh AFL season.

While both share the same surname, each Carter will look to contribute at different positions this season. Frank, a FB/LB, scored four rushing touchdowns last year and collected 16.0 tackles and 1.5 sacks on defense. His expectations coming into camp with the defending champions are high.

“I knew that when coming out here I would be able to play with some veterans and play with a team with great athletes, a great coach and coaching staff,” Carter expressed. “That’s exactly what has been shown to me and we’re all pitching in and helping each other out to win this championship.”

Toure’ is a four-year defensive back in the AFL and will provide depth to the SaberCats’ formidable secondary. He too knows the reputation San Jose holds in the league and is optimistic about how training is progressing.

“Camp is going really well, we are gelling,” admitted Carter. “The biggest thing is getting repetitions right now and getting into the groove of playing the actual game. We’re just trying to stay healthy and gel together, that’s what makes a championship team.

“(Before coming here) I’ve heard that San Jose is just an outstanding organization. From the staff, to the interns, and the players - there is just a great tradition here. Getting the opportunity to come here and play with Clevan Thomas and Omarr Smith, some of the greats in the game, I’m honored and want to get better and learn from those guys.”

HOLLYWOOD COMES TO SAN JOSE
Few people would think football and acting go in the same sentence when describing a football player, but for Patrick Afif it does. The hulking offensive lineman has been in over twenty commercials for companies such as AT&T, Dodge, and the NCAA.

“After seeing my brother hit it big acting in commercials for a while, I knew it was something that I wanted to do,” Afif said.

Playing a football player in commercials comes naturally to the 6-7, 335-pounder. However Afif would like to continue his acting career outside of the football player stereotype role. “My goal is to later on, when I have time, pursue other roles,” he says. “I just think there is more that I can do being this large mammal that I am.”

Now don’t let his Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card fool you, Afif is not too serious an actor. Being on set with a bunch of other football players and joking around is more like his everyday job on the SaberCats. And don’t expect this guy to be moving to Los Angeles anytime soon. “For me it will probably be a supplemental thing,” Afif laughs. “It's good pay, it pays the bills. It’s enjoyable and I enjoy doing it.”

ROSTER MOVES
A little more than a week after signing offensive lineman Dwayne Morgan and fullback/linebacker Rich McCleskey, the SaberCats released both players from their training camp roster on Tuesday. “We only have so many roster spots and there are a lot of players competing,” said Darren Arbet about the transactions. “It’s always a tough decision when you’re playing with a man’s livelihood.”

CAMP PRACTICE INFORMATION
The SaberCats will finally get the opportunity to go helmet-to-helmet with someone who doesn’t share a locker. On Monday, Feb. 18, the SaberCats and Kansas City Brigade will hold a joint practice session at Woodside High School in Woodside prior to the teams squaring off in a scrimmage at Stockton Arena on Feb. 19. Until then the club will hold practices at its Sunnyvale facility. All practice sessions are open to the media and public. Times and locations are subject to change. Contact the SaberCats media relations department for up-to-date practice information. Players and coaches will be made available for interviews at the conclusion of each practice session. San Jose’s practice facility is located at 1095 Dunford Way in Sunnyvale.

Week Two Practice Schedule
Wed., Feb. 13          8:30 – 10:45 am       3:00 – 4:35 pm
Thu., Feb. 14           8:30 – 10:45
Fri., Feb. 15             8:30 – 10:45 am       3:00 – 4:35 pm
Sat., Feb. 16           8:30 – 10:45 am
Sun., Feb. 17           OFF DAY

A premiere franchise in the Arena Football League, San Jose has won three ArenaBowl championships and captured seven Western Division titles, eight consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league’s best regular season record this decade. The SaberCats begin defense of their AFL title on March 3 in Chicago on ESPN2.