SABERCATS LOOK TO BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO PLAYOFF BIRTH; BUT REMAIN TWO STEPS AWAY FROM AA CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENTION

 Team Preview by: Jay Hatfield (Summary and some commentary by Jared Neumeier; as indicated)

PAYETTE – For the third time in three seasons, the Snake River Sabercats will be “under new management”.

Unfortunately for this spunky team from Western Idaho, management has been the least of the teams’ problems thus far.

However, this season, long-time RMFL player, organizer and leader, Jay Hatfield, takes over the team.  Along with his equally talented, better half, Brandy Hatfield, the team will not lack in organization or leadership in 2007.  Further, Jay is a football guy, that knows the ins and outs of the sport perhaps a little better than his predecessors have.

 However, it doesn’t take a football genius to know that this team will need to improve defensively in order to compete… and even think about a playoff appearance or a championship run.

The Sabercats have always had offensive weapons, particularly the 2005 Western Division MVP, Tyler Collingwood, who is one of the only true multi-threats at the quarterback position in the entire RMFL.  Collingwood, and his array of talent surrounding him will be able to get some points on the board… and if the Sabercat defense makes enough stops, this team will win football games.

If you wanted to pick one sleeper of the teams that I am not projecting as pre-season playoff favorites and you wanted to put down a couple of bucks, hoping to turn it around with good odds, I’d say it would have to be this Sabercat team.

They are in their third season now, so they know what they have to do.  They have had the opportunity to learn what works, and what doesn’t.  Purge the team of any “attitude” problems. And recruit for the weaknesses that need to be addressed. If Hatfield and 3-year head coach, Dallas Hoffman have done all of that, you might be looking at the real playoff sleeper in 2007.

For my life savings, however, I’m going to suggest that the Sabercats take a step up from the previous unit… but only one step.  It will probably be no earlier than next season before those star defensive players they seem to so desperately need shake out of the local “wood work”.  Look for a quality, well-run, competitive team, that picks up a couple of wins and makes a couple of playoff bound teams really sweat it out.

KEY ADDITIONS:

 

Ryan Oliver – Defensive Line

J Baker - Safety        

Jeff Bowen - Safety

Mike Bender - Defensive End

 

KEY LOSSES:

 

Thomas Kamo – Linebacker (joined army) 

Greg Chamberlain – Offense/Defense (new baby)

Shawn Bolin – Former offensive Coordinator

 

OFFENSE:

 

The Snake River offense will try to stack up points this year, not just yards.  Offensive Coordinator Tyler Collingwood is a man of few words, but he says, “I think our biggest loss of the off-season is Shawn Bolin.”  He may be right – the Sabercats managed to eek out only 18 points in the 4 games without him.  However, Collingwood has engineered an offense that may prove to be the best ever, using the talents of everyone involved to their strengths and abilities. Collingwood will have full command of the offense this year.  The 2005 Western Idaho Division MVP has proven to be one of the top quarterbacks in the RMFL AA.  Lining up behind him will be 2006 team MVP Jeff Valenzuela at fullback, who will be opening up holes for tailback Shawn King after an injury plagued 2006 season.  Rookie Jason Scott can fill both spots, and will likely do the placekicking for the team this year.  The receiving corps will feature Cody Bates, who owns every career receiving statistic for Snake River that may not likely be broken, even after playing only four games last year.  Opposite of Bates will be the platooning of speedster Alan Wood, as well as the cagey 10 year semi-pro veteran Jay Hatfield.  Newcomer Curtis Chatterton will start at the tight end spot.  Ex-Matador Marcus Pollard will fill in when needed at WR and TE.  The offensive line will defend its “least sacks allowed title” with All-Star center Wesley Newman leading the way.  Big veteran tackle Andy Frasier will anchor the left side, with second-year-man Jeff “Monte” Monterroso at left guard.  Rookie Eric “Candybar” Jensen will serve at right guard, and Richard “the Rockstar” Calleros will play right tackle.  Wiry Andrew “Viper” Arden will substitute where needed. The Sabercat offense’s goal this year is to shatter team records, and naturally, score more points than their opponents.  Racing out to quick scores has not usually been a problem for Snake River, but they must hold on to leads.  Collingwood will insure this. NEUMEIER COMMENTS:  Offense has never been this teams problem.  Last season, even though they finished winless, they still out-performed 3 other teams in the AA and the year before that, when they were playing a more difficult schedule, they finished 15th of 21 teams, including doing better than the Utah Wolverines, a decent Matador team and Bear River.  And they seem to do better when Collingwood handles the ball the most.  I’m not sure if the off-season changes, few as they are, have changed much.  However, there is no reason to think there will be any kind of off-season drop off.  The Sabercat offense will be one of the better ones in 2007.  Projected Offensive Rank: 7th .

 

DEFENSE:

 

The defense for the 2007 Sabercats will take a, "Bend but don't break" approach.  Defensive Coordinator Rob Castleman states, "I'm not too concerned with the yardage we allow.  Points win football games, yards don't.  Our defense is built on discipline, hustle and execution.  If we remain disciplined, give an all-out effort on every play and execute our responsibilities, we should be alright", Castleman said.  Returning at DE/OLB is Terry Lewis who earned some All-Star and All-American recognition for his efforts during the 2006 season.  First-year player Mike Bender brings excellent pass rushing skills and relentlessness to the other defensive end position.  The coaches believe he has the potential to rank as one of the top pass rushers in the RMFL.  Cat-quick nose guard Bubba Lawrence is a disruptive force, and defensive tackles Ryan Oliver and Skip Hudson round out the rest of the defensive line.  The linebacking corps looks to be solid with the return of a healthy Roger Gonzalez at one outside spot after missing part of last season with back and ankle injuries.  Sharing time in the middle will be newcomer Junior Quintero and second-year man Jerry Lopez, provided Lopez is cleared to play after suffering long-term effects from concussions.  On the strong side is rookie Derek "The Chameleon" Quaid, who has had an excellent preseason camp and according to Castleman, "Has the potential and instincts to be one of the best in the league at his position." 11-year Semi-Pro veteran Rob Castleman returns to one cornerback spot where he garnered some All-Star and All-American mention last season.  Opening up the season at the other corner will be Lance Smith who has served several roles for the Cats during his tenure.  Free Safety will be manned by J Baker who returns to RMFL action after taking last season off and playing for the Matadors during the 2005 season.  The strong safety will be newcomer Jeff Bowen, who has impressed the coaching staff during preseason camp with his speed, range and solid open-field tackling.  According to Defensive Coordinator Rob Castleman, the defense is not very big, fast or flashy.  "We are just a bunch of blue collar guys who bring our hard hats and lunch pales and go to work for 60 minutes."  NEUMEIER COMMENTS:  Castleman’s statement about the distinction of giving up yards… over points, is valid, however, the Sabercats have been giving up A LOT of points, too.  A defense that has been giving up the chunks of yards the Sabercats have over the past two seasons  should not try to “spin” it any other way… they were atrocious… they did more than just “bend”.  Let it rest there. HOWEVER… that having been said, it does appear as if the off-season moves by the Sabercats may have their defense pointed in the right direction.  If you just look at what they list as their “Key Additions” (and to be sure, there are more new players than these guys on the roster), they are ALL defensive players, playing positions of real need for this team from farrrrrrrrr Western Idaho.  They clearly seem to have upgraded at defensive line… which will help. And the secondary… which, too, will help.  But what they will really need (again) is for the linebacking corps of Quaid, Quintero and Roger Gonzalas (an original team founder), and whoever else stands in there,  to step up, fill holes and MAKE TACKLES.  Although not listed by Hatfield in the “key additions” section, Quaid and Quintero are NEW additions, and therefore unknown quantities in the RMFL world.  They could turn out to be two Zac Jockumsen’s… or two Rich Kennedy’s (don’t know who Rich Kennedy is???…  My point exactly.)  Last years preview I called this unit out… and I will do it again.  Apparently, their former linebacking stud, Matt Frye, is gone.  Perhaps that will also help this group work together and aggressively shut down opposing running backs… at the hole.  Still, I’ll need to see it before this defense can snag a higher pre-season ranking.  Projected Defensive Rank: 11th.

 

 INTANGIBLES AND COACHING:

 

All in all, this should prove to be a season to remembered.  The Snake River Sabercats will not tolerate being the doormat of the RMFL, let alone the AA Division.  This team is completely dedicated to a playoff berth and a championship run, but that dedication must be proven on the field.  NEUMEIER COMMENTS:  I like Hatfield’s statement about the team being tired of being the “doormat” of the RMFL.  They don’t quite have the losing reputation that Glacier does, but their defense has clearly left them with probably even less respect around the league.  The 2005 defense gave up an average of almost 100 yards more per game than the next team. In 20006, they were only an average of about 40 yards more (Grand Junction) and 60 more than Morgan.  If they really want to make a championship run , the defense only needs to get a little grit and play… to win.  Don’t get me wrong, overall, this is a better team than the 2006 team, so they should not be taken lightly by anyone.  GM and player, Jay Hatfield, runs an organized ship and head coach, Dallas Hoffman, has a couple of years of “figuring it out” under his belt.  If the defense steps up, and Hoffman and Collingwood “figure it out”, look out.

 

PROJECTED RANK: 9th