Post by fwp on Mar 19, 2010 7:36:10 GMT -5
www.mercurynews.com/sports-headlines/ci_14704623?nclick_check=1
Omar Jacobs sauntered into the San Jose Wolves' team headquarters recently, wearing a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the words "2006 NFL Combine." But four years after working out for pro scouts, Jacobs is a long way from the NFL.
For starters, his new team's office doubles as the home of OCZ Technology, a computer hardware manufacturer in San Jose run by Wolves owner Ryan Petersen. The Wolves practice at an indoor soccer center in Santa Clara and play their home games at the Cow Palace, a far cry from Jacobs' days with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he took snaps with Ben Roethlisberger and roomed with Santonio Holmes.
But none of this fazes the Wolves quarterback, who like many in the 13-team American Indoor Football Association, is just looking to put himself on film.
"This is a humbling experience, but it's the same game, and it's important just to be seen by the NFL," said Jacobs, a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate in 2005 at Bowling Green. "You can't be seen on your couch."
Jacobs and the startup Wolves play their first game Saturday against the Arctic Predators — a team from Wasilla, Alaska, best known as Sarah Palin's hometown.
The Wolves, seeking to fill the void left by the defunct SaberCats, had hoped to play their home games at HP Pavilion. But scheduling conflicts and price made the Cow Palace in Daly City a better fit. Bennie King, the coach and general manager, said a strong economic model will allow the Wolves to succeed where other indoor teams and leagues have failed.
"Financially this works, because we have low salaries and rely on guys who want to play and be seen," King said. "We had some good trades where we got deals from food vendors, and our hotel sponsorship allows us to keep costs pretty low."
To limit expenses, the Wolves will bus to most road games; the 14-game season includes long trips to Utah, Wyoming and Washington.
At their first game, a March 6 exhibition victory over Ogden, the Wolves announced a crowd of more than 3,000. King said he is aiming for 6,000 per game during the regular season.
Success in the stands is almost as important as success on the field, as the Wolves seek to prove they are worthy of moving up to the latest incarnation of the Arena Football League next season.
"That's definitely an option," King said. "They'll be looking at us, but we'll also be watching them to see how their first season back goes."
For now, though, King is focused on adding to the championships he won the past two seasons with the Lakeland Thunderbolts and the Florence Phantoms, both defunct. He believes his 30-man roster is one of the strongest in the league and said Jacobs is the best quarterback in the AIFA.
The Wolves also expect big seasons from former NFL players Jayson Boyd, A.J. Bennett and Marvin Brown. For local flavor, King signed five former San Jose State players and made former SaberCat Steve Papin his offensive coordinator.
"We think people around here have missed indoor football and just want to see a good product," King said. "And it will be."
Omar Jacobs sauntered into the San Jose Wolves' team headquarters recently, wearing a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the words "2006 NFL Combine." But four years after working out for pro scouts, Jacobs is a long way from the NFL.
For starters, his new team's office doubles as the home of OCZ Technology, a computer hardware manufacturer in San Jose run by Wolves owner Ryan Petersen. The Wolves practice at an indoor soccer center in Santa Clara and play their home games at the Cow Palace, a far cry from Jacobs' days with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he took snaps with Ben Roethlisberger and roomed with Santonio Holmes.
But none of this fazes the Wolves quarterback, who like many in the 13-team American Indoor Football Association, is just looking to put himself on film.
"This is a humbling experience, but it's the same game, and it's important just to be seen by the NFL," said Jacobs, a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate in 2005 at Bowling Green. "You can't be seen on your couch."
Jacobs and the startup Wolves play their first game Saturday against the Arctic Predators — a team from Wasilla, Alaska, best known as Sarah Palin's hometown.
The Wolves, seeking to fill the void left by the defunct SaberCats, had hoped to play their home games at HP Pavilion. But scheduling conflicts and price made the Cow Palace in Daly City a better fit. Bennie King, the coach and general manager, said a strong economic model will allow the Wolves to succeed where other indoor teams and leagues have failed.
"Financially this works, because we have low salaries and rely on guys who want to play and be seen," King said. "We had some good trades where we got deals from food vendors, and our hotel sponsorship allows us to keep costs pretty low."
To limit expenses, the Wolves will bus to most road games; the 14-game season includes long trips to Utah, Wyoming and Washington.
At their first game, a March 6 exhibition victory over Ogden, the Wolves announced a crowd of more than 3,000. King said he is aiming for 6,000 per game during the regular season.
Success in the stands is almost as important as success on the field, as the Wolves seek to prove they are worthy of moving up to the latest incarnation of the Arena Football League next season.
"That's definitely an option," King said. "They'll be looking at us, but we'll also be watching them to see how their first season back goes."
For now, though, King is focused on adding to the championships he won the past two seasons with the Lakeland Thunderbolts and the Florence Phantoms, both defunct. He believes his 30-man roster is one of the strongest in the league and said Jacobs is the best quarterback in the AIFA.
The Wolves also expect big seasons from former NFL players Jayson Boyd, A.J. Bennett and Marvin Brown. For local flavor, King signed five former San Jose State players and made former SaberCat Steve Papin his offensive coordinator.
"We think people around here have missed indoor football and just want to see a good product," King said. "And it will be."