This Time, It's Different

Aug. 28,2015
By ANDY SROKA
STOCKTON, Calif. - Anthony Jones and Derrick Ross are on this journey together.
Having spent three years together in Philadelphia, the All-Arena talents are just looking to add that one missing item to their fully-stocked trophy cases: a ring.
Both men joined the Sharks in the offseason as well as a crew of superstars. The splashy offseason had Arena Football experts forecasting Jacksonville as ArenaBowl XXVII's American Conference representatives. But a 1-5 start to their season dampened those hopes. Ross and Jones were adamant that it was all a part of the learning curve - they still expected to be exactly where they are today, a win away from the grand prize.
"We knew how good our individual players were," Jones said. "We knew it was a long season and we continued to come together."
It took a little while, but it all clicked. Since a Week 6 loss to their neighbors the Tampa Bay Storm, the Sharks have gone 11-3 including their two wins this postseason. Ross and Jones both assumed their roles in the offense and took center stage in the team's resurgence.
On a team abundant with veteran pros all focused on the task at hand, Jones reiterated that the team remained dedicated to their game plan and aren't at all surprised to be standing on Stockton's turf Saturday night.
"We didn't point any fingers, we just stayed to it," Jones said.
Jacksonville's League-leading fullback had similar thoughts on the team's slow start: "We just needed some time to learn each other, to stick together and compete," Ross said. "A lot of the guys that came in were superstars on other teams. They were the man at other teams and they came here to chip in on a team of superstars.
"We needed time to grow to learn to protect your brothers out there."
Both men know how tough their opponents are on Saturday, but neither were intimidated or nervous they were running out of chances to grab a ring. Ross and Jones called ArenaBowl XXVIII different than the other two they had been a part of. Despite having more ArenaBowl experience on the field than the SaberCats, the two believe Saturday is much different than their games in 2012 and 2013.
Ross believes the difference maker is their head coach, Les Moss, who has been here before and won it all.
According to the team's leading receiver, Jones, the past experience will help but, again, it's a different game.
"You draw from the good and the bad but the teams are so different. We're definitely not underestimating what they've done this season. The goal every year for me and every team I'm on is to concentrate on what it takes to become a champ, working hard every day to get better."
And with that, Jones' teammate Ross said: "We're ready."