SaberCats add 2010 defender of the year, 5 others

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Sept. 30, 2010SABERCATSPAGE
SAN JOSEThe San JoseSaberCats today announced the additions of 2010 AFL Defensive Player of theYear DL Gabe Nyenhuis, WR Burl Toler, DL Adam Huebner, FBLB Chad Cook, WRChidozie Nwokocha and OLDL Jason Jones, by the league office. Per team policy,terms were not disclosed.DL GABE NYENHUISNyenhuis(6-3, 265) enters his fourth year in the AFL and first with the SaberCats. Forhis career, he has totaled 88 tackles, 29.5 for loss, 28 sacks, 16 forcedfumbles and seven passes defensed in 41 games. In 2010, Nyenhuis led the leaguein sacks (15.5), tackles for loss (13.0) and forced fumbles (9) en route toearning the AFLs highest defensive honor for the Tulsa Talons.Bringingin a player of Gabes caliber is tremendous for us, Head Coach Darren Arbetsaid. He is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and will provide us adominant force on the defensive line that offenses will have to account for. Atwo-time All-Arena selection as a defensive lineman, Nyenhuis spent two seasonswith the Philadelphia Soul (2007-08), helping them to an ArenaBowl championshipin 2008 against the SaberCats. During their championship run, Nyenhuis led theteam in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12.5) and forced fumbles (5). He alsoled the team with two sacks while forcing a fumble in the 2008 postseason. WR BURL TOLERAformer California Golden Bear, Toler (6-2, 200) spent the 2008 offseason withthe Washington Redskins after signing with San Jose in 2008. Prior to signing with theSaberCats, Toler served his first stint with the Redskins in 2007 after spendingtime with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. He originally signed with theSaberCats in 2007 before joining the Centurions. Undrafted out of California, Toler wasoriginally signed by the Oakland Raiders in 2006.Weveliked what weve seen from Burl in the past and so have many coaches in the NFLranks, Arbet said. He is a diligent worker and a great athlete who will addexperience to our young receiving corps moving forward.Awalk-on at California,Toler finished with 69 receptions for 873 yards and four touchdowns. His bestseason came in 2003 when he caught 48 passes for 609 yards and threetouchdowns. A native of Berkeley, CA, Toler attended Bishop ODowdHigh School (CA) helping his team to two league titles and a North CoastSection championship, earning first team all-league on offense and defense hissenior year. Toler also lettered four years in track, attending the League ofChampions meet his final three years.DL ADAM HUEBNERHuebner(6-4, 300) spent his rookie season alongside fellow SaberCat DL Gabe Nyenhuisin 2010 with Tulsa.In his lone season with the Talons, Huebner finished with 14 tackles, twosacks, three tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.Adamwas a part of the best defensive line in the AFL last season, playing with thebest pass rusher in the league in Gabe Nyenhuis, Arbet said. Hell bringpressure on opposing quarterbacks this coming season after enjoying a solid yearwith the Talons in 2010.Priorto transferring to Purdue as a sophomore, Huebner played in 11 games as aredshirt freshman at Indiana State in 2003 where hehad 23 tackles and two sacks.FBLB CHAD COOKCook(6-1, 265) started his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Storm before beingsigned by the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. For Oklahoma, he ran the ball 45 times for 140yards and eight touchdowns, adding 14 receptions for 105 yards and onetouchdown. On defense, he had eight tackles combined between the two teams.Chad is a hard-nosedrunner who can play on both sides of the ball, Arbet said. Hes a load at hissize who will be able to punish defenses up the middle.Duringhis four year career at Murray State, Cook totaled 2,095rushing yards on 457 attempts for 24 touchdowns, leading the team in rushing asa sophomore (834) and a junior (692) for the Racers. He also caught 24 passesfor 185 yards.WR CHIDOZIE NWOKOCHAPriorto joining the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League in 2010,Nwokocha (6-0, 200) played two seasons at Ohio (2006-07). In 26 games for the Bobcats,he totaled 45 catches for 562 yards and one touchdown. Nwokocha transferred to Ohio after spending two seasons at Sacramento City College where he was anAll-Nor Cal Conference pick both seasons, totaling 119 catches for 1,665 yardsand 14 touchdowns in his junior college career.Chidozieis a great addition to our team who brings more athleticism to our squad,Arbet said. Along with our current wideouts we have the makings of a talentedreceiving corps as we make our way towards the 2011 season. Anative of Elk Grove, CA, Nwokocha attended Laguna Creek HighSchool (CA), earning honorable mention all-city selection honors while helpingthe Cardinals to a Delta League Championship and the state playoffs.OLDL JASON JONES
Jones(6-4, 345) played his first season in the AFL with the Cleveland Gladiators in2010. He totaled three tackles in three games for the Gladiators despite beinglimited by injuries during the 2010 season.Jasoncan play both ways and is very athletic for his size. He will be a solidcontributor for us in the trenches in 2011. Arbet said.Aftertransferring from Pasadena Community College in 1999 to IllinoisState, Jones then transferred to Idaho where he playedtwo seasons for the Vandals.

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