The AFL Ironman of the Week is San Jose SaberCats Receiver/LB Jason Geathers
Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 12:12PM MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 23, 2008) – San Jose SaberCats’ receiver/linebacker Jason Geathers parlayed his multi-faceted performance last Friday against Utah into being named the AFL’s Ironman of the Week, the league announced.
Geathers (6-2, 202, Miami) gobbled up a pair of Blaze fumbles, returning one for a 9-yard score, and caught a 34-yard TD while also being tabbed the Ironman of the Game on April 18 in Salt Lake City. The fumble return was the first defensive TD of his career.
“I was just sticking to my assignment of shadowing the quarterback,” said Geathers, who is in his third year with the team. “The ball got loose and I was already headed in that direction so it was an easy scoop and score.”
ADVERTISEMENT With the free substitution rule being implemented in 2007, many traditional two-way AFL players have realigned to their primary position and some have been phased out of the game completely. Geathers has managed to make an impact on both sides of the ball and has scored a TD three different ways in 2008 (rushing, receiving, defensive). During his four years as a Miami Hurricane, Geathers played both receiver and tailback.
Although he registered only one reception in the contest, it came at a key point in the game as the SaberCats were trailing the Blaze 10-7 to open the second quarter. The catch at the goal line was the only opportunity Geathers got on offense.
“That’s what I live for,” Geathers stated, who admits he would rather play offense than defense. “When your number is called you have to make a play and this time it was a big one.”
Geathers has started four games at wide receiver this season, collecting 36 balls for 360 yards and 5 TDs, including an 18-catch outing on April 5 versus New Orleans. He has now started two straight games at ‘Jack’ linebacker and registered 5.5 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in that role.
The SaberCats also traded FB/LB Phil Glover to the Tampa Bay Storm on Monday for offensive lineman Jonathan Dunn and activated offensive lineman Sean Estrada (6-3, 305, Pennsylvania) from Refused to Report.
Dunn (6-7, 328, Virginia Tech) was drafted in the 7th round (217th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in 2005. He has also spent time with the New York Giants is currently on the Detroit Lion’s practice squad.
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.
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