Backlash over Controversial 'Sacks for Sacks' Prank in San Jose SaberCats Locker Room
Spend a day watching the Offensive Line of the San Jose SaberCats at practice and you won't doubt that they want to be the best. On any given day in San Jose you'll see the big boys engaging in activities ranging from the basic and time-tested methods of weight training, bodyweight exercises, wrestling, and field sprints, to routines that make use of cutting-edge technology or are based around innovative - if not controversial - ideas about how the game will come to be played. There is no training method quite so controversial, however, as assistant O-Line coach Richard Bagg's 'Sacks for Sacks' program.
What started as a prank in the locker room after a SaberCat's offensive lineman allowed the first sack in the team's history, has been adopted by Bagg and turned into an unusual way of motivating his players. While none of the players would comment on the 'Sacks for Sacks' program, Bagg willingly shared details with ESPN:
"It's simple: you let a guy get to the quarterback and you get a nutsack on your head. An old-fashioned, Peyton-Manning-stye teabagging", Coach Bagg said of the program.
While Bagg would not share with reporters who dealt out the first 'teabagging', nor who was the recipient, he confirmed that it was initially nothing more than a prank.
"The guys were just trying to have a bit of fun -- you know, lighten up the mood after a disappointing loss. With that said, in a football team, you need the guys around you to help keep you accountable. There was a little bit of that in it, too. They were saying, 'Hey man, don't let anybody get to our goddamn quarterback'!"
When asked when the idea transformed from a locker room prank into an official part of the offensive line's training, Coach Bagg had this to say:
"When I came in and saw the testicles drooping over that offensive lineman's forehead, and the way his face lit up red like he was [explitive]-ing Rudolf, I had the epiphany right then and there".
Although other members of the SaberCats' team admitted they were aware of the program, they claimed to reporters that they did not have detailed information about what was occurring.
"I don't know what those dudes is doing when we're not lookin', man, but I'll tell you one thang -- those linemen ain't happy 'bout somethin'".
Indeed, this reporter can confirm that while the offensive line group appears to have meshed well since coming together after the NSFL's inaugural draft and clearly enjoy each other's company, this is in stark contrast to their demeanor when spending time with Coach Bagg.
Whether this unconventional program will yield positive results is yet to be seen, but nonetheless it is has been a talking point in the San Jose SaberCats' season thus far.
Author's Note: since this article was published, Richard Bagg has been relieved of his duties as assitant O-Line coach with the SaberCats. The team's GM refused to comment on the matter.
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502 words - TPE task (do not grade)
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[OPTION]Scott Michaels || Colorado Yeti General Manager || #YetiNoises
[OPTION]Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] NSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S9: 3 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 9 - 5
[OPTION] S11: 8 - 6
[OPTION] S12: 6 - 8
[OPTION] S13: 8 - 6
[OPTION] Career: 34 - 26 (.567)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]NSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION] S9: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S11: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S12: DNQ
[OPTION] S13: 1 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 4 (.200)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] DSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S8: 10 - 4
[OPTION] S9: 9 - 5
[OPTION] Career: 19 - 9 (.792)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]DSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION]S8: 1 - 1
[OPTION]S9 0 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 2 (.333)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Accolades
[OPTION]S11 NSFL GM of the Year
[OPTION]S9 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFC Conference Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]===========================================
Update Page
[div align=center][/align]
[div align=center][SELECT style="background-color:maroon; color:white; font-family:Arial; font-size: 12px; width: 400px; "][br]
[OPTION]Scott Michaels || Colorado Yeti General Manager || #YetiNoises
[OPTION]Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] NSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S9: 3 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 9 - 5
[OPTION] S11: 8 - 6
[OPTION] S12: 6 - 8
[OPTION] S13: 8 - 6
[OPTION] Career: 34 - 26 (.567)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]NSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION] S9: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S10: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S11: 0 - 1
[OPTION] S12: DNQ
[OPTION] S13: 1 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 4 (.200)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION] DSFL Regular Season Record
[OPTION] S8: 10 - 4
[OPTION] S9: 9 - 5
[OPTION] Career: 19 - 9 (.792)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]DSFL Playoff Record
[OPTION]S8: 1 - 1
[OPTION]S9 0 - 1
[OPTION] Career: 1 - 2 (.333)
[OPTION]===========================================
[OPTION]Accolades
[OPTION]S11 NSFL GM of the Year
[OPTION]S9 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFC Conference Champions
[OPTION]S8 DSFL NFCN Division Champions
[OPTION]===========================================