LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – The San Jose SaberCats were picked to win their third ArenaBowl title in four years, according to a poll of Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) members.

San Jose returns such standout players as quarterback Mark Grieb and defensive specialist Omarr Smith, both also selected to the AFLWA preseason All-AFL Team.

The defending champion returns 19 players from the 11-5 team, including perhaps the league's receiving corps, which is led by James Roe and James Hundon.

Voters expect the SaberCats to face the Tampa Bay Storm in ArenaBowl XIX, which will be in Las Vegas. The Storm was picked second, but had no one selected to the All-AFL Team, nor did the No. 3 Colorado Crush.

The Chicago Rush was voted No. 4, with fullback/linebacker Bob McMillen and lineman John Moyer named to the league's preseason team. Two players also made All-AFL from the No. 5 Orlando Predators – wide receiver/linebacker Cory Fleming and defensive specialist Kenny McEntyre.

Rounding out the poll were the No. 6 Las Vegas Gladiators, No. 7 Arizona Rattlers and No. 8 Philadelphia Soul. They were represented on the team by offensive specialist Marcus Nash and kicker Mark Lewis of the Gladiators and return specialist Steve Smith of the Soul.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.