On the Hunt

Aug. 29,2015
By ANDY SROKA
STOCKTON, Calif. – The San Jose Sabercats maybe have put together one of the best seasons in Arena Football history when it’s all said and done on Saturday night, but all season long, quarterback Erik Meyer lacked a dependable and consistent No. 2 option at wideout behind the All-Arena Reggie Gray.
Head coach Darren Arbet brought in former Arizona Rattlers star Maurice Purify late in the season and he started his first game for the SaberCats after the team’s Week 18 bye.
At first, Purify didn’t really know what his role would be. He wanted to come in and help out as much as he could – his experience gathered in three straight ArenaBowls with the Rattlers would help, too. But ever since he arrived, Purify has shown he’s still capable of being a go-to option for one of the League’s most efficient offenses. In his only two starts in the regular season, Purify racked up 195 yards receiving and six touchdowns combined.
As Purify became more and more ingrained in the offense, opposing defensive backs still focused their attention on man-in-motion Reggie Gray. So far in these playoffs, Purify has been Meyer’s favorite target, hauling in 16 passes for 231 yards receiving.
His presence has been exactly what the SaberCats have needed.
With D.J. Stephens, Darius Reynolds, Ben Nelson and even offensive lineman Rich Ranglin, Meyer has a slew of respectable receivers at his disposal. None have been able to take advantage like Purify, though.
Purify said he came in San Jose not knowing much of his role, but his hard work paid off and his chemistry with Meyer developed quickly.
“The hardest thing was getting used to Erik Meyer and how he normally stays in the pocket,” Purify said. “But it came pretty easy to me.”
He also attributed his success to having a playmaker like Gray on the same team: “Reggie makes it easier for someone like me, having a guy like that around,” Purify said. “There are more check-down routes and I’m taking advantage.”
He’s not just taking advantage, Purify is flourishing.
And now, he’s surrounded himself in another winning atmosphere, on a team headed to the ArenaBowl. It’s his fourth straight season on an ArenaBowl-bound squad – a fourth straight victory would be an AFL record.
But having missed out on playing in Arizona’s last one in 2014, he’s out there like he has something to prove.
“You never know when you’ll get to another one,” Purify said. “Cherish all the ones you’re a part of because you never know when you’ll be back.”
And that’s coming from a guy who’s been here plenty.
Purify is a winner. That’s why Arbet and his staff brought him in, certainly. His mindset: Going in and expecting to win, knowing they can win – yet, it’s important to treat it like a normal game.
As good as the three-time champ has been on the field for the SaberCats this postseason, you get the feeling he’s been a motivator in a locker room full of players basking in their first-ever trip to the ArenaBowl.
Purify said it himself, we’ve seen some of the most intense and exciting playoff action ever this postseason – but like Purify, the best has yet to come.