San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats | |
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Established 1995 Folded 2015 Played in SAP Center in San Jose, California TheSanJoseSaberCats.com | |
League/conference affiliations | |
Arena Football League (1995–2008, 2011–2015)
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Current uniform | |
Team colors | Saber gold, coral green, platinum, black, and Navajo white |
Nicknames | Cats |
Personnel | |
Owner(s) | John Fry William Randy Fry David Fry Kathryn J. Kolder Darren Arbet |
Team history | |
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Championships | |
League championships (4) | |
Conference championships (3) Prior to 2005, the AFL did not have conference championship games | |
Division championships (10) | |
Playoff appearances (16) | |
Home arena(s) | |
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The San Jose SaberCats were a professional arena football team based in San Jose, California. The SaberCats had been members of the Arena Football League (AFL) since 1995 (the year in which the team was founded); and until 2015, they belonged to the AFL's National Conference. Over nineteen seasons of play, the SaberCats emerged as one of the Arena Football League's most successful franchises; at the conclusion of the 2015 season, the SaberCats boasted a lifetime regular season record of 198–98. Moreover, the SaberCats had won a total of four AFL Championships (2002, 2004, 2007, and 2015). Their lifetime postseason record stood at 19–12.
In the club's first four seasons (1995–1998), the team played just above mediocre, but still qualified for the playoffs three out of the four years, losing in the opening round each time under the guidance of Todd Shell. In 1999, the SaberCats appointed eventual owner-general manager Darren Arbet to the position of head coach. Under Arbet's guidance, the team's fortunes improved dramatically. In 2000, the SaberCats won a post-season game.
The SaberCats' run of success intensified in the 2000s; during that time, they won seven division titles and played in three American Conference championship games. In 2002, the team captured its first ArenaBowl championship by defeating the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI. In 2004, the SaberCats won a second championship by defeating the Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII. In 2007, they defeated the Columbus Destroyers in ArenaBowl XXI to capture a third championship. In 2008, the SaberCats returned to the ArenaBowl, only to fall to the Philadelphia Soul. In 2015, the SaberCats returned to the ArenaBowl, defeating the Jacksonville Sharks.
The 2009 demise of the AFL caused the SaberCats to take a two-year hiatus. They returned to the re-formed Arena Football League in 2011 (along with several other franchises). The SaberCats posted a disappointing record of 7–11 in the season of their return. The losing season was the organization's first since 1999 and remained the worst in franchise history. While the SaberCats' regular season performance improved greatly over the following three seasons (between 2012 and 2014, they went 38–16), their postseason performance did not; over that span, they went 1–3 (with all three losses coming at the hands of the Arizona Rattlers, who subsequently won the ArenaBowl in each season). In 2015, the SaberCats finished the regular season with a franchise-best record of 17–1. After dispatching the
On November 12, 2015, the league announced the SaberCats would be ceasing operations due to "reasons unrelated to League operations." A statement from the league indicated that the AFL was working to secure new, long-term owners for the franchise,
History
Original AFL (1995–2008)
The SaberCats came into existence in December 1994,
On June 5, 2004, the SaberCats were fined $20,000 for violations during their quarterfinal round
The cowbells went on to become a mainstay of many perennial season ticket holders, even though the SaberCats never again distributed cowbells to fans after the incident in 2004.
San Jose was 9–7 in 2005, earning the fourth seed in the American Conference playoffs. They lost to #1 seed Colorado Crush 56–48 in the first round, after failing to score on six goal line opportunities in the final minute of play.
The SaberCats went 10–6 in 2006 and won a division title in the process, along with the AC's #2 seed. They got a bye week from the wild-card round and then beat the Arizona Rattlers in the divisional round, 62–48. Because the Colorado Crush (the AC's #1 seed) lost in the divisional round to the Chicago Rush, they hosted the American Conference Championship game; however, they lost the game, 59–56.
In 2007, they got revenge against the Rush in the American Conference championship and advanced to
AFL collapse and revival (2009–2010)
On August 4, 2009, the Arena Football League announced that it was "suspending operations indefinitely" but likely to fold. The SaberCats announced shortly afterward that they intend to field a team for 2010, even if it means moving to a new indoor football league.[6]
When the formation of a new arena football league,
They would be replaced by the smaller and lesser-known
On June 16, it was officially announced that the SaberCats would be returning in 2011 as a member of the Arena Football League. The ownership once again consists of major executives from national electronics chain Fry's Electronics (John Fry, William Randy Fry, David Fry, and Kathryn J. Kolder), and in addition maintained former SaberCats coach Darren Arbet.[8][9]
2011 season
The SaberCats opened their 2011 season with a 76–48 victory over the Spokane Shock. They went on to win against the Kansas City Command 60–57. The SaberCats lost the next two games, 54–41 against the Chicago Rush, and 76–69 against the Iowa Barnstormers. It looked like the 'Cats were going on a winning streak after they won the next three games (75–55 against the Utah Blaze, 42–33 against the Tulsa Talons, and 68–61 against the Philadelphia Soul), but after a bye week they went on a devastating seven game losing streak (65–43 against the Arizona Rattlers, 54–48 against the Pittsburgh Power, 76–68 against the Utah Blaze, 55–49 against the Georgia Force, 70–57 against the Dallas Vigilantes, 64–57 against the Arizona Rattlers, and 82–21 against the Cleveland Gladiators). This losing streak ended against the Jacksonville Sharks when they won 83–70. The SaberCats ended the season with a 7–11 record.
2012 season
Unlike their disappointing 2011 campaign, the SaberCats were able to clinch a playoff spot as the #3 seed, finishing the regular season with a 12–6 record. However, they were defeated 48–51 by the Arizona Rattlers in the first round of the playoffs.
2013 season
The SaberCats finished the regular season with a 13–5 record, earning the #4 seed in the National Conference. They lost the National Conference Semifinals to the Arizona Rattlers by a score of 59–49.
2014 season
The SaberCats finished the regular season with a record of 13–5 for the second consecutive year, winning the Pacific Division and earning the #2 seed in the National Conference. They won the National Conference Semifinals against the Spokane Shock in a 55–28 contest but lost the Conference Championship to the Arizona Rattlers by a 72–56 score.
2015 season
The SaberCats finished the regular season with a franchise best 17–1 record (their only loss was against the 4–14
Surprisingly, after the 2015 season, the AFL announced that the SaberCats were ceasing operations for non-football related reasons.[12] According to Metro Silicon Valley, the Frys were concerned about the rampant instability that had prevailed in the league since it returned to the field.[11]
Controversy surrounded the closing of the franchise in 2015. The SaberCats' franchise never returned the Foster Trophy to the league, the award handed out to each Arena Bowl champion throughout the league's history. Also, the players of the Arena Bowl XXVIII never received championship rings, becoming the first team in league history to never receive rings for the accomplishment.[13]
Season-by-season
Championships
The SaberCats won a total of four ArenaBowls, all while under Darren Arbet.
ArenaBowl Championships | ||||||
Season | Location | Opponent | Score | ArenaBowl | ||
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2002 | San Jose, California | Arizona Rattlers | 52–14 | XVI | ||
2004 | Phoenix, Arizona | Arizona Rattlers | 69–62 | XVIII | ||
2007 | New Orleans | Columbus Destroyers | 55–33 | XXI | ||
2015 | Stockton, California | Jacksonville Sharks | 68–47 | XXVIII |
Rivals
The San Jose SaberCats had two primary rivals: Their divisional rival Spokane Shock, and their former division rival, the Arizona Rattlers. They also have rivalries with other teams that arose from playoff battles in the past, most notably with the Chicago Rush. The Los Angeles Avengers had an old rivalry with San Jose as well, but the rivalry became irrelevant when the Avengers became defunct in 2009.
Arizona Rattlers
The Rattlers and SaberCats were divisional rivals from 1995 to 2013, but the division alignment for 2014 put San Jose in the Pacific division and Arizona in the west. The SaberCats had a 7-game winning streak against the Rattlers from 2006 to 2008, lasted until May 7, 2011, when the Rattlers defeated the SaberCats 43–65. While the SaberCats still hold the advantage in the all-time series 26–22 (21–18 in the regular season and 5–4 in the playoffs), the Rattlers amassed 9 wins in 12 games, from the 1995 season before the arrival of SaberCats head coach
Spokane Shock
The Shock and the SaberCats have been divisional rivals since the SaberCats re-joined the AFL in 2011. San Jose lost a Saturday June 23, 2012 game (63–90), and this game remains the highest ever point total scored against the SaberCats in franchise history.[14] In 2011, the Shock won 63–61 on a last second Hail Mary from Kyle Rowley to Adron Tennell, clinching a playoff spot for the Shock and eliminating the SaberCats from playoff contention. San Jose led the overall series 5–4 when the Shock departed the AFL.
Broadcasting
The SaberCats game had been broadcast on KNBR AM 1050 out of San Mateo. However, on May 15, 2015, the SaberCats announced that they would have their games broadcast live on KDOW AM 1220 radio in San Francisco. This was the first broadcast of sports of any kind for that station.[15][16]
Notable players
Final roster
San Jose SaberCats roster | ||||||||
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Quarterbacks
Fullbacks
Wide receivers
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers
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Injured reserve
Refuse to report
League suspension
Other league exempt
Inactive reserve
Recallable reassignment
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Retired numbers
San Jose SaberCats retired numbers | ||||
No. | Player | Position | Seasons | Ref. |
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2 | Barry Wagner | WR/DB | 2000–2006 | [17] |
14 | Omarr Smith | WR/DB | 2000–2002 2004–2008 |
[17] |
16 | Mark Grieb | QB | 1999–2012 | [18] |
55 | Sam Hernandez | DL |
1998–2005 | [17] |
Arena Football Hall of Famers
San Jose SaberCats Hall of Famers | ||||
No. | Name | Year inducted | Position(s) | Years w/ SaberCats |
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– | Darren Arbet[19] | 2011 | Head Coach |
1999–2008 2011–2015 |
5 | Ben Bennett[19] | 2000 | QB | 1996 |
55 | Sam Hernandez[19] | 2011 | DL |
1998–2005 |
44 | Bob McMillen[19] | 2013 | FB/LB |
2001–2002 |
14 | Omarr Smith[19] | 2014 | DB | 2000–2002 2004–2008 |
8 | Clevan Thomas[19] | 2012 | DB | 2002–2008 2013–2015 |
2 | Barry Wagner[19] | 2011 | WR/DB | 2000–2006 |
Individual awards
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All-Arena players
The following SaberCats players were named to All-Arena Teams:
- QB Mark Grieb (3), Erik Meyer (1)
- FB Brian Johnson (1), Chad Cook (1)
- FB/LB Keala Keanaaina (1)
- WR James Roe (1), Reggie Gray (1)
- WR/DB Barry Wagner (2)
- OL Mark Lewis (1), Rich Ranglin (4), Emmanuel Akah (1), George Bussey (1)
- DL Ron Jones (1), Joe Sykes (1), Jason Stewart (3)
- OL/DL Al Noga (1), Sam Hernandez (3), Joe Jacobs (1), Mike Ulufale (1)
- LB Steve Watson (1), Francis Maka (4), Huey Whittaker (1)
- DB Marquis Floyd (1), Clevan Thomas (1), Ken Fontenette (1)
- K A. J. Haglund (2), Nich Pertuit (2)
- OS Titus Dixon (1), Steve Papin (2), James Hundon (1), Ben Nelson (1)
- DS Patrick McGurik (2), Tommy Jones (1), Clevan Thomas (5), Omarr Smith (1)
All-Ironman players
The following SaberCats players were named to All-Ironman Teams:
- WR/DB Rashied Davis (1), James Roe (2)
- WR/LB Barry Wagner (2), James Roe (1), Jason Geathers (2)
- DS/KR Clevan Thomas (1)
All-Rookie players
The following SaberCats players were named to All-Rookie Teams:
- FB/LB James Williams
- WR/DB Shalon Baker
- OL/DL Mike Ulufale
- LB Steve Watson
- OS Ben Nelson
- DS Clevan Thomas
- K A. J. Haglund
Notable coaches
Head coaches
Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Awards | Reference | ||||
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W | L | T | Win% | W | L | ||||
Todd Shell | 1995–1998 | 29 | 25 | 0 | .537 | 0 | 3 | [20] | |
Darren Arbet | 1999–2015 | 174 | 72 | 0 | .707 | 19 | 8 | Coach of the Year (2000, 2002 & 2015) | [21] |
Staff
San Jose SaberCats staff | ||||||
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Front office
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Head coach
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
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References
- ^ AFL Issues Statement on San Jose SaberCats, ArenaFootball.com, November 12, 2015
- ^ a b "Sports Shorts". www.apnewsarchive.com. Associated Press. December 8, 1994. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ a b John Crumpacker (April 30, 1995). "Are you ready for some indoor football action?". www.sfgate.com. The Hearst Corporation. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ Michael Itagaki (February 25, 1995). "Arena Football Team Will Scout Talent in Orange County". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ Andrew F. Hamm (August 11, 2002). "SaberCats' winning ways point way for arena football league". www.bizjournals.com. American City Business Journals. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ "AFL suspends operations indefinitely". www.sanjosesabercats.com. San Jose SaberCats. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
- ^ "Arena Football 1 to launch in 2010". www.sports.espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. December 10, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ The Record (September 15, 2010). "Edison grad back with SaberCats". www.recordnet.com. Local Media Group, Inc. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ Markowitz, Adam (August 29, 2015). "ArenaBowl XXVIII Records and Factoids". arenafan.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
- ^ a b Barclay, David (2015-12-09). "San Jose SaberCats Owners Call It Quits Due to AFL Dysfunction". Metro Silicon Valley.
- ^ Bay Area News Group (November 13, 2015). "AFL announces ArenaBowl champ San Jose SaberCats folding". East Bay Times. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ "Ex-SaberCats look to get rings with Rattlers". August 23, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ^ Justin Libaste (June 23, 2012). "Cats embarrassed at home after 90–63 loss against Spokane". www.sportsradioservice.com. Sports Radio Service. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ SaberCats Announce Radio Partnership with KDOW 1220 AM, Arena Football League website, May 15, 2015
- ^ San Jose SaberCats Announce Radio Broadcast with 1220AM KDOW Archived 2015-09-10 at the Wayback Machine, Matthew Dziak, San Jose SaberCats website, May 15, 2015
- ^ San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ Rick Eymer (May 5, 2013). "San Jose SaberCats roll over Cleveland Gladiators". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Arena Football League Hall of Fame". www.arenafootball.com. Arena Football League. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
- ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Todd Shell". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan.com. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
- ^ "ArenaFan Online: AFL Coaches: Darren Arbet". www.arenafan.com. ArenaFan.com. Retrieved 2008-10-24.