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| Joe Germaine could be headed back to Arizona |
FREE AGENTS BEGIN MUSICAL ARENA LEAGUE CHAIRS By John HONDO Hahn ‘Free,’ as in Free Agent, doesn’t exactly mean “Free” at all. Since the AFL has been slow – after an original signing date of Oct. 15 – in allowing teams an honest signing time frame, following the Oct. 1 date of when teams could talk to free agents, it’s been our job to find out who is going where for 2009. Sources close to the league have anonymously revealed the new date for free agent signing is Nov. 21. Already teams have sent out contracts to those who have verbally committed and are just waiting for that Friday to role around when the players can fax them back. Some of the key acquisitions we already know about are three of the biggest in the Western Division of the American Conference in Arizona. The Phoenix-based Rattlers previously hired their former coach Danny White to be the offensive coordinator. Along with that move for head coach Kevin Guy, White will bring Mesa resident QB Joe Germaine and receiver J.J. McKelvey from his coaching stop in Utah. Both are free agents and the former Ohio State standout quarterback got his start with White and the Rattlers in 2004 and 2005. Germaine, 33, a proven commodity in the AFL having passed for 107 and 97 touchdowns in 2007 and 2008, respectively, has a five-year career rating of 122.45. McKelvey came into his own at Utah last season, collecting 121 catches, 38 of which was a team-high for TD receptions. TALENT WITHSTANDING; CHARACTER COUNTS TOO Before going any further, I think it is important to let fans know exactly what coaches and player personnel directors are looking for when they seek out a free player. Obviously, a player wouldn’t be ‘courted’ by a team unless that team believed his talents wouldn’t blend into a winning combination for the club. The first thing a team looks for is: Does the players’ talent fit into the system the team is attempting to develop and be successful with in the future? Sometimes, and this is even more important than the talent level of the player is: Does this individual’s attitude blend into the team concept? When a free agent is brought in for a look at the organization, the coaches not only spend time with him, but players spend time with the free agent to see what his attitude and demeanor is around them. Despite all the discussion, investigation into the players’ on and off the field behavior can’t always bring about instant judgments of his character. Some teams will take a player for his talent, disregarding his attitude or background. This is because many coaches think the change of “scenery” to another team may change the disposition of the player. Yet it is proven, this does not occur in many cases. The player reverts to his antics later. STAFFORD COULD BE STEALTH FLIER Back to some news on who will go where. It appears veteran QB Sherdrick Bonner will wind up with the Utah Blaze. The ole lefthander, who turned 40 on Oct. 19, played only part of last season with the Chicago Rush because of injuries. He spent 14 previous seasons with the Arizona Rattlers. This may not shock many, but QB Tony Graziani is headed back to Los Angeles to join Avengers new coach Pat O’Hara. Graz, 34, is from California (Modesto) and after losing his starting job – primarily because of injuries – at Philadelphia, wants to return to the West Coast. He spent his first four seasons in LA before going to Philly for one of the richest 3-year deals ($160,000 a season) in league history in 2005. SaberCats’ Mark Grieb and Matt D’Orazio are free agents but they will remain with their current teams. Mark indicated in an ‘On The Line’ interview he has no intention of seeking to play for another team and D’Orazio will again lead the Philadelphia Soul. ONE-TIME GREAT RECEIVER MOVING ON FROM RUSH It appears WR Damian Harrell, who was prolific at Colorado a few years ago, will wind up with the Columbus Destroyers. Harrell, who took the place of Kansas City Chiefs-bound Bobby Sippio in 2008, was let go by the Chicago Rush following a lackluster season. He had only 25 TD grabs in ’08, second on the team, and head coach Mike Hohensee felt he didn’t fit the Rush’ needs after the development of rookie Donovan Morgan (24 TDs) and Travis LaTendresse (20 TDs). Look for Sippio, 53 TD receptions in 2007 with Chicago, to return to the Rush. At 28, Sippio could easily become the 3rd receiver for the Rush and provide added offense to the up-and-coming Morgan and LaTendresse. We’ll know more in a week on the new zip codes of some free agents. Standby, let’s don’t get too overly excited. You can contact Hondo with questions and comments at hondo@sanjosesabercats.com. Note: The views and opinions of John Hondo Hahn and not necessarily those of the San Jose SaberCats organization.
sanjosesabercats.com Columnist
Bonner isn’t the only QB on the hunted list. Shane Stafford is rumored to be going to the Midwest State (Kansas City) after productive years at Orlando and Tampa Bay. Center Marcus Owen, one of the most respected AFL linemen, is headed to the Brigade because his home is in St. Louis, Missouri, and he graduated from Kansas. The seven-year veteran played the last two seasons with Tampa Bay after a run with the New York Dragons.