Arena Football 2007

[wade moore]

For years now I have tried to get into Arena Football with limited success. With the new ESPN deal I want to give it another shot, especially because a player from W&M that I have a special affinity for (he once let my fiance talk his ear off for 30 minutes while he was working at the Nike outlet about W&M Football and later would talk to us every time he saw us, etc) is a rookie on the Austin Wranglers this year.

So, I knew you wouldn't see all of the games on TV, so I wanted to look for when the Wranglers would be on ESPN.

Wow...

This is a joke of a schedule to support the league as whole. Maybe it will be good for ratings and exposure, but it's not good for folks that want to be fans of any team not in a major media market.


Date Teams Network/Time

Regular season

Sun., March 4 Chicago at Kansas City ESPN on ABC (regional) 12:30 p.m.

Dallas at New York ESPN on ABC (regional) 12:30 p.m.

Mon., March 12 Los Angeles at Orlando ESPN2 7 p.m.

Thurs., March 22 Colorado at Philadelphia ESPN2 7 p.m.

Mon., March 26 Dallas at Orlando ESPN2 7 p.m.

Sun., April 1 Los Angeles at Chicago ESPN2 1:30 p.m.

Mon., April 9 Georgia at Philadelphia ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., April 16 Philadelphia at Dallas ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., April 23 Philadelphia at Columbus ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., April 30 Philadelphia at Chicago ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., May 7 Colorado at Chicago ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., May 14 New York at Philadelphia ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., May 21 New Orleans at Philadelphia ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., May 28 New York at New Orleans ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., June 4 Colorado at Utah ESPN2 10:30 p.m.

Mon., June 11 Los Angeles at Arizona ESPN2 10 p.m.

Mon., June 18 Chicago at Colorado ESPN2 10 p.m.

Mon., June 25 Dallas at Colorado ESPN2 10 p.m.




One game doesn't have a team from Philly, Dallas, New York, or Chicago. The Austin Wranglers I mentioned don't even get a game. This is great if you want to follow Bon Jovi's team as they're on 7 times, but of 18 teams, 8 of them don't even get a game on TV unless they make the playoffs.

[Oilers9911]

This is great if you want to follow Bon Jovi's team as they're on 7 times, but of 18 teams, 8 of them don't even get a game on TV unless they make the playoffs.

I'd like to follow Bon Jovi's team, and run Jon over with my car.

[CU Tiger]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Date Teams Network/Time

Regular season

Sun., March 4 Chicago at Kansas City ESPN on ABC (regional) 12:30 p.m.

Dallas at New York ESPN on ABC (regional) 12:30 p.m.

Mon., March 12 Los Angeles at Orlando ESPN2 7 p.m.

Thurs., March 22 Colorado at Philadelphia ESPN2 7 p.m.

Mon., March 26 Dallas at Orlando ESPN2 7 p.m.

Sun., April 1 Los Angeles at Chicago ESPN2 1:30 p.m.

Mon., April 9 Georgia at Philadelphia ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., April 16 Philadelphia at Dallas ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., April 23 Philadelphia at Columbus ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., April 30 Philadelphia at Chicago ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., May 7 Colorado at Chicago ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., May 14 New York at Philadelphia ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., May 21 New Orleans at Philadelphia ESPN2 7:30 p.m.

Mon., May 28 New York at New Orleans ESPN2 8 p.m.

Mon., June 4 Colorado at Utah ESPN2 10:30 p.m.

Mon., June 11 Los Angeles at Arizona ESPN2 10 p.m.

Mon., June 18 Chicago at Colorado ESPN2 10 p.m.

Mon., June 25 Dallas at Colorado ESPN2 10 p.m.



Looks like 3 not 1, but your point is still well taken.
However, to play devil's advocate, I dont anticipate great market penetration in any market, so .05% of 8million is considerably better than .05% of 680,000
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[cuervo72]

Do any of these teams have Comcast/FSN type deals? You would definitely think local tv contracts would be the way to increase interest in the league, at least in markets with a team.

[wade moore]

Do any of these teams have Comcast/FSN type deals? You would definitely think local tv contracts would be the way to increase interest in the league, at least in markets with a team.

It looks like at least some of them did in 2006, so I'm assuming they would in 2007 too. So that's a good point. Problem is, unless Comcast Mid-Atlantic picks up Philly, I don't see anyone being available to me.

As to the 3 vs. 1, I meant to include LA in my list ;)...

[Ksyrup]

What they should do is show the games locally for free, generate fan interest, and then sell their entire TV rights package to DirecTV for exclusive pay-per-view telecasts. :D

[lordscarlet]

What they should do is show the games locally for free, generate fan interest, and then sell their entire TV rights package to DirecTV for exclusive pay-per-view telecasts. :D

I think a small (viewership wise) league like the AFL should be making games avaible for free or very low cost on the internet. Look what happened to CBS's ratings after putting stuff on Youtube...

[Pumpy Tudors]

That schedule is really awful. People will miss out on seeing some great teams and great games. Tampa Bay and Georgia are coming off subpar years, but they're usually strong teams, and they're not on the schedule. San Jose is always an exciting team to watch, and they're not on the schedule. The Columbus Destroyers dug themselves out of a horrific 2005 season to finish 8-8 last year, but nobody will get to see them play. Orlando - as much as I hate them - is one of the league's most popular teams, and they only get two appearances. Then, of course, there's Austin, which Wade mentioned. The Wranglers are improving very quickly, and I think this will be a big year for them. Too bad they won't be on national television.

It's unfathomable that Philadelphia gets four consecutive national games while most of the other teams I mentioned get none. Dallas, New York, and Chicago don't seem to have too many appearances, but maybe that's just because I'm comparing them to the overload of Philly games.

I'm terribly disappointed that ESPN won't show one of the Tampa Bay-Orlando meetings (the "War on I-4") or anything involving rising teams like Austin and Columbus. At least I'll have two chances to see the VooDoo. I'm going to get really tired of watching Philadelphia, and it's counterproductive to have AFL fans consciously staying away from the national telecasts just because the same team is playing over and over.

To answer cuervo's question, at least some of the teams have regional TV deals. I know that the VooDoo and Desperados do. I think the Wranglers and the teams in Florida do. I don't have any guesses at all about the northern and western teams.

[wade moore]

Then, of course, there's Austin, which Wade mentioned. The Wranglers are improving very quickly, and I think this will be a big year for them. Too bad they won't be on national television.

The Wranglers also have what may be the only "name" draw for non-AFL fans in Adrian McPherson at QB this year.

[Lathum]

IIRC when I lived in Dallas they had a local TV deal and I watched quiet a few of their games. It seems to me they are trying to marlet to the bigger audiences plus capitilize on the succes of the bears. From ESPN's standpoint they don't care where the viewers come from and are going to put on the "most popular" teams. IT's no different then them putting Redsox-Yankees on over Devilrays-Bluejays, be it right or wrong. It's the same reason why we have to endure 2-3 monday football appearences by the Cowboys every year even if they stink. It's all about the ratings. Crappy for fans of the league.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The Wranglers also have what may be the only "name" draw for non-AFL fans in Adrian McPherson at QB this year.
Shaun King signed with Las Vegas recently, but since the Gladiators don't have any national TV appearances, nobody's gonna know it. :)

[cuervo72]

Wranglers site says they signed Chris Redman too! :D

[gstelmack]

The AFL has been begging for national TV exposure for a long time, and basically will sign whatever deal they can get (see the NBC deal a few years back where the AFL basically gave away the rights just for the exposure). I'll bet that those are the teams ESPN wanted to show, and the AFL had to agree to get on the air.

I also agree that I'd love for them to just give the games away on the Internet to raise fan interest.

[wade moore]

Shaun King signed with Las Vegas recently, but since the Gladiators don't have any national TV appearances, nobody's gonna know it. :)

Didn't know that... I've seen some other interesting signings of guys who are done in the NFL, but now are in the AFL - like Lincoln Kennedy signing with Dallas.

Wranglers site says they signed Chris Redman too! :D Nice. Another W&M Alum QB Lang Campbell is on their roster, but is in some weird "exemption" slot I guess because he was on the Cleveland Browns roster for week 17. So I'm not sure how that effects his AFL situation.

[wade moore]

The AFL has been begging for national TV exposure for a long time, and basically will sign whatever deal they can get (see the NBC deal a few years back where the AFL basically gave away the rights just for the exposure). I'll bet that those are the teams ESPN wanted to show, and the AFL had to agree to get on the air.

I also agree that I'd love for them to just give the games away on the Internet to raise fan interest.

Oh, I'm sure that's what is going on here. I guess I'm saying I don't like it from a potential fan perspective even though it may be a smart business decision.

In the end the deal with ESPN is probably bigger for the AFL because of Sportscenter than because of the actual games.

[Pumpy Tudors]

It isn't ideal, but the AFL does offer online video of the games for $14.95 per month. They show some games live, but all of the games are viewable on-demand later. I'm considering it just to watch the VooDoo, but I don't really know how much use I'd get out of it. If they did something where you could spend $1 or $2 per game, I'd be all over it.

[wade moore]

It isn't ideal, but the AFL does offer online video of the games for $14.95 per month. They show some games live, but all of the games are viewable on-demand later. I'm considering it just to watch the VooDoo, but I don't really know how much use I'd get out of it. If they did something where you could spend $1 or $2 per game, I'd be all over it.

Good to know. I might check that out if it turns out Cason is starting for the Wranglers.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Nice. Another W&M Alum QB Lang Campbell is on their roster, but is in some weird "exemption" slot I guess because he was on the Cleveland Browns roster for week 17. So I'm not sure how that effects his AFL situation.
You're right on the exempt status. To save a roster spot, an AFL team can put someone on the exempt list if the player is in another league. The Wranglers retain his AFL rights indefinitely.

A couple of quick semi-interesting things regarding players' AFL rights: The Philadelphia Soul had Tommy Maddox's AFL rights pretty much from the time they entered the league. Maddox retired from the AFL last November, so the Soul is finally free from him. Also, the VooDoo selected Rashied Davis in the 2006 expansion draft (when the VooDoo rebuilt their roster). I don't think he'll be playing at all for the VooDoo this year, though, considering that he's currently with the Chicago Bears. Somehow, I don't see him going from the Super Bowl back to the AFL anytime soon.

[Ksyrup]

Wranglers site says they signed Chris Redman too! :D

FSU and Louisville represented! They're so desperate for fans, they've tailored their roster to the long-sought-after "transplanted Tallahassee resident now living near Louisville" demographic.

Do they have room on the roster to sign Chris Rix and Tim Couch, too?

[Young Drachma]

I'm semi-interested in going to a game in Colorado this year. We'll see though. I'm almost intrigued to see what one of these games would be like.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm semi-interested in going to a game in Colorado this year. We'll see though. I'm almost intrigued to see what one of these games would be like.
It's really an electric atmosphere. Lots of noise and music. I can assure you that there won't be anything approaching silence once the national anthem is over. From the games I went to and the games I've seen on TV, I know that the fans really get into the game. You don't need to know the players very well, and you don't even really need to know every single rule of the game. It's just a lot of fun. It's much, much more fun live than it is on television.

On another note, I just discovered that my favorite "VooDoo Doll" is not one of the finalists to make the VooDoo dance team this year. I don't know if she even tried out, but I'm sad that she's not there anymore. I guess I don't need to plan a trip back to New Orleans this spring!

[wade moore]

It's really an electric atmosphere. Lots of noise and music. I can assure you that there won't be anything approaching silence once the national anthem is over. From the games I went to and the games I've seen on TV, I know that the fans really get into the game. You don't need to know the players very well, and you don't even really need to know every single rule of the game. It's just a lot of fun. It's much, much more fun live than it is on television.

On another note, I just discovered that my favorite "VooDoo Doll" is not one of the finalists to make the VooDoo dance team this year. I don't know if she even tried out, but I'm sad that she's not there anymore. I guess I don't need to plan a trip back to New Orleans this spring!

The unfortunate thing for me, a guy who really would like to get into Arena Football, is that the closest team is in Philly over 300 miles and 3 metropolitan areas away.

I've enjoyed Arena games when I watched them, but I really need somethinig to "root" for to truely get into a sport. That's why I'm hoping Cason gets a starting job with Austin. Or that Billy Parker returns to the New York Dragons despite a stint in the NFL (he won DROY last year). Otherwise, it's hard for me to really get into a team which makes the sport harder to follow.

I was goinig to get into AF2 that had a Norfolk team, but alas they folded.

[Sublime 2]

The unfortunate thing for me, a guy who really would like to get into Arena Football, is that the closest team is in Philly over 300 miles and 3 metropolitan areas away.

I've enjoyed Arena games when I watched them, but I really need somethinig to "root" for to truely get into a sport. That's why I'm hoping Cason gets a starting job with Austin. Or that Billy Parker returns to the New York Dragons despite a stint in the NFL (he won DROY last year). Otherwise, it's hard for me to really get into a team which makes the sport harder to follow.

I was goinig to get into AF2 that had a Norfolk team, but alas they folded.

I haven't really read through the thread, but what exactly is the difference between AF and AF2...is AF2 like a minor league? I ask because I'd like to get into arena football, and follow the Manchester Wolves.

[wade moore]

I haven't really read through the thread, but what exactly is the difference between AF and AF2...is AF2 like a minor league? I ask because I'd like to get into arena football, and follow the Manchester Wolves.

AF2 is essentially a minor league AF. I don't believe it is a literal minor leagues in that there are farm teams tied to the AF teams, but they have lower-tier players that will get pulled up to AF teams if the player performs well.

[lordscarlet]

The unfortunate thing for me, a guy who really would like to get into Arena Football, is that the closest team is in Philly over 300 miles and 3 metropolitan areas away.

I've enjoyed Arena games when I watched them, but I really need somethinig to "root" for to truely get into a sport. That's why I'm hoping Cason gets a starting job with Austin. Or that Billy Parker returns to the New York Dragons despite a stint in the NFL (he won DROY last year). Otherwise, it's hard for me to really get into a team which makes the sport harder to follow.

I was goinig to get into AF2 that had a Norfolk team, but alas they folded.

Come stay with me one weekend and it's an easy trip up to Philly.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The unfortunate thing for me, a guy who really would like to get into Arena Football, is that the closest team is in Philly over 300 miles and 3 metropolitan areas away.

I've enjoyed Arena games when I watched them, but I really need somethinig to "root" for to truely get into a sport. That's why I'm hoping Cason gets a starting job with Austin. Or that Billy Parker returns to the New York Dragons despite a stint in the NFL (he won DROY last year). Otherwise, it's hard for me to really get into a team which makes the sport harder to follow.

I was goinig to get into AF2 that had a Norfolk team, but alas they folded.
Oh, I understand completely. As much as I was into the AFL in 2004 and 2005, without the VooDoo, it was hard for me to keep up last year. For me, the real test is going to be this year, because my favorite team is back, but I won't be attending any of their games.

I hope that Stephen Cason gets a job down in Austin. The Wranglers are usually a pretty good defensive team, so it would be really nice for him to be a part of that. As for Billy Parker, he was activated from the exempt list earlier this month, so it's looking like he'll be back with the Dragons this year. I haven't seen many Dragons games, but I know that he's a beast. If he stays in the AFL for a long time, he could end up being an AFL legend (for whatever that's worth).

[wade moore]

Oh, I understand completely. As much as I was into the AFL in 2004 and 2005, without the VooDoo, it was hard for me to keep up last year. For me, the real test is going to be this year, because my favorite team is back, but I won't be attending any of their games.

I hope that Stephen Cason gets a job down in Austin. The Wranglers are usually a pretty good defensive team, so it would be really nice for him to be a part of that. As for Billy Parker, he was activated from the exempt list earlier this month, so it's looking like he'll be back with the Dragons this year. I haven't seen many Dragons games, but I know that he's a beast. If he stays in the AFL for a long time, he could end up being an AFL legend (for whatever that's worth).

That's worth a lot to a guy that follows I-AA football religiously ;). He would be the first guy (Parker) I watched play really succeed in a professional sport that I could watch (Darren Sharper graduated before I got here and I don't count the guys playing Europ basketball).

I'm going to try to watch as many national games as I can this year, we'll see how it goes.. maybe I'll even program my TiVO.

[Ksyrup]

Lexington has a United Indoor Football franchise. They apparently almost jumped to AF2, but that hasn't happened yet. I'll probably go to a game to check it out.

[SFL Cat]

I was goinig to get into AF2 that had a Norfolk team, but alas they folded.

Didn't former NFL DE Bruce Smith have a stake in that AF2 Norfolk team?

[wade moore]

Didn't former NFL DE Bruce Smith have a stake in that AF2 Norfolk team?

Yup, he's from VA Beach. I worked with a guy that played on the team too.

I think it's a big problem with AF2. It's much like a lot of the other soccer leagues... teams just go up and down all over the place.. I know there have been teams in both Richmond and Roanoke also, and those are both gone.

[wade moore]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Nighthawks

The Norfolk Nighthawks were a now-defunct charter member of af2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Af2). They played their home games at Norfolk Scope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk_Scope) in Norfolk, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk%2C_Virginia). After an impressive inaugural season, the Nighthawks never made it back to the playoffs and ceased all operations after the 2003 season.

[Pumpy Tudors]

AF2 has a lot of fluctuation in its teams. That's kind of a shame because I'm sure it's a good product. It's no more volatile than the ECHL, though, so I guess I can't complain too much.

The AFL seems to be a little more stable these days, and I'm happy for that. Detroit and Carolina folded a couple of years ago, but everybody else is still hanging on. I won't be surprised if Arizona finally bites the dust soon, and I don't know how Grand Rapids stays in business, but everyone else seems to be doing OK. I just wish Pittsburgh could get a team again. I'm dying to go to another AFL game.

[Passacaglia]

Ping: Schmidty. Grand Rapids, represent!!

[Young Drachma]

It's really an electric atmosphere. Lots of noise and music. I can assure you that there won't be anything approaching silence once the national anthem is over. From the games I went to and the games I've seen on TV, I know that the fans really get into the game. You don't need to know the players very well, and you don't even really need to know every single rule of the game. It's just a lot of fun. It's much, much more fun live than it is on television.

On another note, I just discovered that my favorite "VooDoo Doll" is not one of the finalists to make the VooDoo dance team this year. I don't know if she even tried out, but I'm sad that she's not there anymore. I guess I don't need to plan a trip back to New Orleans this spring!

Thanks Pumpy. I've been following it casually since the late 80s and have always been intrigued and it's neat to see something so random really catch on in recent years.

I think I'll probably check a Crush game out at some point this year.

[Pumpy Tudors]

It's amazing to me that the AFL has been around for 20 years now. For such a niche sport, they've had a few teams hang on for a long time. I guess it's big enough in Orlando, Tampa, San Jose, and Arizona to keep going (though, again, I won't be surprised if the Rattlers fold). I honestly didn't think that Chicago would make it, but they've got a championship now, and it looks like they're going to stick around.

I don't know what the AFL's business model is, but it's in pretty decent shape. I just can't figure out how Grand Rapids has hung on for 10 years now. The team is bad, the attendance is bad, and the TV market is downright tiny. I guess they're doing something right.

[lordscarlet]

Came across what appears to be a good AFL article on ESPN: Twenty-one things to know about the Arena Football League (http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=2779526)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Came across what appears to be a good AFL article on ESPN: Twenty-one things to know about the Arena Football League (http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=2779526)
Bah, I already knew 18 of those 21 things. :D

[Synovia]

"Open substitution will help the offenses create more mismatches," Soul coach Bret Munsey said. "In the past, our defenses were prepared to stop the offense in the red zone. Now that changes. We have to look more to make stops in the middle of the field."

2. ....quarterback Clint Dolezel, the AFL's 2006 MVP who threw for a league-record 105 TDs last season.... Because this league really needs more offensive mismatches?

[Young Drachma]

I was just going to ask about the open substitution rule. Seems to me that it might open the door to a few more guys getting jobs in the league?

As for the offense, I doubt anyone is trying to go to an arena game to see a defensive showdown.

[Synovia]

It wont open up any new jobs, roster sizes aren't changing. What it will do, is change who gets those jobs. 2 way skills wont be as valuable.

[Pumpy Tudors]

More people will have opportunity in the AFL with open substitutions. Personally, I'm not sure if I like the idea yet, but I'm an "AFL purist" in a way. The league was built around "iromman football." That's completely gone now. I guess it doesn't matter too much, since the league's stars are all specialists, but I think some decent two-way players will lose their jobs.

Think about it. Using letter grades as an example, a guy might be a B on offense and a B on defense. In previous years, that's a guy you want at your FB/LB or WR/DB position for sure. Now, a team can go get a guy who's A on offense and D on defense and vice-versa. Sure, you're replacing one guy with two guys, but they've expanded the rosters a little, so some players will end up benched or waived.

It's an adjustment for sure, so everyone will just have to get used to it.

[Pumpy Tudors]

It wont open up any new jobs, roster sizes aren't changing. What it will do, is change who gets those jobs. 2 way skills wont be as valuable.
I thought the rosters went up from 20 to 24. Maybe they were 24 last year and I'm just not remembering correctly.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I thought the rosters went up from 20 to 24.

Hmm ... I wonder if I look hard enough if I can find a political angle to this.
;)

{sorry Pumpy, couldn't resist}

[Pumpy Tudors]

Hmm ... I wonder if I look hard enough if I can find a political angle to this.
;)

{sorry Pumpy, couldn't resist}
Nice shot. :)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Just to add something really quickly, I bought the new Arena Football game for the PS2, but I haven't opened it yet. From what I've read, it looks like they didn't put in the new substitution rules, so at least I can pretend like I'm playing in the "old" AFL. :D

[Butter]

I'm pretty sure Columbus had a couple of games on around here last season. Not that I watched them or anything.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm pretty sure Columbus had a couple of games on around here last season. Not that I watched them or anything.
That wouldn't surprise me. The Destroyers are actually one of the league's most popular teams, although I can't imagine why.

[Eaglesfan27]

Just to add something really quickly, I bought the new Arena Football game for the PS2, but I haven't opened it yet. From what I've read, it looks like they didn't put in the new substitution rules, so at least I can pretend like I'm playing in the "old" AFL. :D

FWIW, the Gamespot review panned the game for the most part as just a roster update with no significant additions. It got a score somewhere around 6.

[Pumpy Tudors]

FWIW, the Gamespot review panned the game for the most part as just a roster update with no significant additions. It got a score somewhere around 6.
I admit that I'm not surprised by that at all. The boards on the AFL website suggest the same thing. As silly as it may seem, the only reason I bought this game was because of the VooDoo. They weren't in last year's game, and using create-a-team with the VooDoo's logo didn't come out right.

I figure that if I were still in New Orleans, I'd be spending way more than $30 to go to games and stuff. Instead, I'll pay this $30 and be able to play them in a somewhat flawed video game.

Yeah, in a way, I'm trying to justify my purchase a little, but that's part of the fun, I guess.

[Butter]

Yeah, in a way, I'm trying to justify my purchase a little, but that's part of the fun, I guess.

Doesn't SOUND fun.

[SnDvls]

The Arizona Rattlers have a deal with the local FSN

[Pumpy Tudors]

Doesn't SOUND fun.
Eh, good point. I actually enjoyed last year's game a lot, and the thing that really turned me off was not having my favorite team in the game. Since GameSpot's biggest beef is that there aren't any big additions to the game, I don't think it'll bother me too much.

I'm really only upset about the game being on the PS2 only. I understand that there apparently won't be any more releases for the XBox, but I was hoping that this game could've been squeezed in. Now I have to deal with the PS2 controller which I absolutely hate, but at least I'll get to play the first video game to have the VooDoo in it.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The Arizona Rattlers have a deal with the local FSN
It is an absolute shame that the Rattlers don't get more support. Personally, I find them to be a rather boring team, but they've been around forever, and they've been reasonably successful.

On a side note, they were also responsible for the most controversial onside kick in AFL history back in 2003, but that's a different story. :D

[astrosfan64]

Slight off topic:

Is EA Sports making an Arena Football Game again?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Slight off topic:

Is EA Sports making an Arena Football Game again?
No idea. We didn't even know there'd be a sequel to last year's game until maybe 2 months ago.

[Young Drachma]

The graphics just weren't very good on that Arena game.

[astrosfan64]

Only for PS2, I looked it up at EA Sports.

That sucks.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Only for PS2, I looked it up at EA Sports.

That sucks.
Right, I referenced this a few posts ago. I thought you were wondering if they would make a third game. The second one just came out last week.

[Ksyrup]

I separately checked the listings at least 3 times this past weekend to see whether a game was on and couldn't find one. I guess I should have remembered to check this thread. Terrible advertising, as I was looking to watch a game if it was on and never could find one to watch. Oh well.

[wade moore]

I separately checked the listings at least 3 times this past weekend to see whether a game was on and couldn't find one. I guess I should have remembered to check this thread. Terrible advertising, as I was looking to watch a game if it was on and never could find one to watch. Oh well.

It looks like they're smartly trying to go with our old football habits unlike before... I think the games are mid-day Sunday for the most part on ESPN.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I don't know if anyone even watched it, but the KC Brigade beat the defending 2006 champion Chicago in KC in the season opener. Considering we went 3-13 last year, that was certainly an eye-opening start to the season. I know that the Brigade brought in a lot of veterans to improve the team. Hopefully this is a sign that the changes they made will have an impact.

[Ksyrup]

It looks like they're smartly trying to go with our old football habits unlike before... I think the games are mid-day Sunday for the most part on ESPN.

I much prefer Friday or Saturday nights, frankly. I don't know about the rest of the husbands out there, but I pretty much used up all of my Saturday and Sunday afternoon points from September through January and need to keep the slate clean if i want my full allotment of points again starting in September. I've got other commitments on weekend afternoons for quite some time.

I remember seeing some games being televised (might have been tape-delay, I don't know) somewhere around midnight several years ago. I'd even like that better than Sunday afternoons.

[wade moore]

I much prefer Friday or Saturday nights, frankly. I don't know about the rest of the husbands out there, but I pretty much used up all of my Saturday and Sunday afternoon points from September through January and need to keep the slate clean if i want my full allotment of points again starting in September. I've got other commitments on weekend afternoons for quite some time.

I remember seeing some games being televised (might have been tape-delay, I don't know) somewhere around midnight several years ago. I'd even like that better than Sunday afternoons.

Well, for me, my fiance likes football as much as I do.

I think from an overall perspective, thsi probably makes sense. I can see your point, but I'm thinking on the whole this will be the right way to do it.

[Ksyrup]

Probably.

BTW, what's your favorite football-watching ice cream flavor?

[wade moore]

Probably.

BTW, what's your favorite football-watching ice cream flavor?

MMMmmmmm Ice cream and football!

[ImTheCrew]

i dont know if this has been posted but is anyone doing the AFL pickem on ESPN.com

[lordscarlet]

Probably.

BTW, what's your favorite football-watching ice cream flavor?

There are flavors other than Vanilla Bean?

[Ksyrup]

I prefer French Vanilla.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Hey, Wade. Adrian McPherson just got cut by the Wranglers. Lang Campbell is now the starting quarterback in Austin. :)

[Ksyrup]

Hey, Wade. Adrian McPherson just got cut by the Wranglers. Lang Campbell is now the starting quarterback in Austin. :)

This news deserves a 'PING: noop' thread.

[Young Drachma]

I'm glad the game is doing well and that it's more visible than ever. But paint me the skeptic who is annoyed at ESPN for deciding to show the sport more often than ever, simply because they own a stake in it now.

That said, kudos to the folks who've stewarded the game since Day 1 to getting it this far. I mean, it's a great story in that regard.

[Pumpy Tudors]

This news deserves a 'PING: noop' thread.
This is a fantastic point. :)

I'm glad the game is doing well and that it's more visible than ever. But paint me the skeptic who is annoyed at ESPN for deciding to show the sport more often than ever, simply because they own a stake in it now.

That said, kudos to the folks who've stewarded the game since Day 1 to getting it this far. I mean, it's a great story in that regard.
I understand how you feel. ESPN didn't give the AFL much exposure when they were airing games years ago. Now, they're almost pitching it like it's the Monday night event of the spring. Memo to ESPN: It's not. On top of that, they wanted to show a bunch of Philadelphia games, which is probably because of QB Tony Graziani. Well, Graziani got hurt, and now the AFL's best QB is watching from the sidelines.

Yeah, that won't mean much to people who don't care about the AFL, but imagine if ESPN showed the Colts on Monday Night Football eight times, and Peyton Manning got hurt in the second game. You could get six games of Jim Sorgi. Wouldn't that be fantastic?

Anyway, I've already vented once this year about ESPN's broadcast schedule. To bring it back to your point, DC, ESPN didn't care who the best QB was or what was going on in the AFL until they had a part of the league. If they don't get the numbers that they expect, they'll probably dump their share in a couple of years, and a lot of people will think the league is a farce. That's really terrible because the AFL is into its 21st year now, and it's got teams in the five most populated metro areas in the country. The league isn't going away, but ESPN controls its legitimacy in most people's eyes. That's a shame.

[Young Drachma]

Anyway, I've already vented once this year about ESPN's broadcast schedule. To bring it back to your point, DC, ESPN didn't care who the best QB was or what was going on in the AFL until they had a part of the league. If they don't get the numbers that they expect, they'll probably dump their share in a couple of years, and a lot of people will think the league is a farce. That's really terrible because the AFL is into its 21st year now, and it's got teams in the five most populated metro areas in the country. The league isn't going away, but ESPN controls its legitimacy in most people's eyes. That's a shame.

Exactly.

I used to watch the AFL before ESPN pimped it. And like we were saying when the first released the schedule, I have no interest in watching the Philadelphia Soul all year.

I'm sure the execs were trying to convince the AFL, that they could turn the Soul into the AFL's Cowboys, "America's Team."

But they aren't smart.

People who want to kill some time would love to get to "know" the league by seeing the teams, by getting some REAL commentary (not Mike and Mike) and analysis about the game. If they, for example, had a weekly "Inside the Game" show on ESPN2, I'd like it a lot more. Because then, you could get some highlights, get some info on what's going on, etc.

AFL is fantasy football on steroids. If you love offense, it's your game. And there are so many cool ways to spin it.

But using their hype machine to essentially water down what the game is, to put it on spin cycle for the fans who don't even watch NFL football, is really really annoying.

I'd almost rather have it on Versus.

lol

[wade moore]

I'm even more mad about the schedule now...

I just found out for whatever reason the Austin Wranglers cut Adrian McPherson and former W&M QB and 2004 Payton Award Winner Lang Campbell is their starting QB. It looks like he's struggled somewhat so far, but hopefully he'll speed things up.. I know that he missed a lot of training camp, etc. because he was with the Cleveland Browns - so I'm sure that plays a factor.

[wade moore]

http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=19809&SPID=1547&ATCLID=882611&DB_OEM_ID=3500

<table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><td class="arttitle" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> Wranglers waive McPherson </td> </tr> <tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="arttitle" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="left" valign="top"> <table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2"> <tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="articlecopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="left" valign="top"> Courtesy: Austin Wranglers
</td> <td class="articlecopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="left" valign="top"> </td> <td class="articlecopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="center" valign="top"> Release: 05/07/2007
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> <td _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="right" valign="top"> <table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2"> <tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="articlecopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="center" valign="top">
</td> <td class="articlecopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="right" valign="top"> http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/images/3500/SendMail.gif (http://www.arenafootball.com/EmailArticle.dbml?SPSID=19809&SPID=1547&DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=882611) </td> <td class="articlecopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="right" valign="top"> http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/images/3500/PrinterIcon.gif (http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?PRINTABLE_PAGE=YES&SPSID=19809&ATCLID=882611&SPID=1547&DB_OEM_ID=3500) </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="B" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" valign="top"> <table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="left"> <table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="B" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" valign="top">
</td> <td class="B" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" valign="top">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/">
</td> </tr> <tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="sm" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <script language="JAVASCRIPT" type="text/javascript" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <!-- function ViewPhoto(name, height, width, size_id, image_id) { var url = "http://www.arenafootball.com//share/ViewPhoto.dbml?"; url += "ATCLPID=&ATCLID=882611&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=19809&SPID=1547&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=&DB_OEM_ID=3500"; url += "&LOAD_IMAGE_ID=" + image_id; url += "&LOAD_IMAGE_SIZE=" + size_id; var win_w = parseInt(width, 10) + 30; if(win_w < 400) { win_w = 400; } else if(win_w > 800) { win_w = 800; } var win_h = parseInt(height, 10) + 130; if(win_h < 400) { win_h = 400; } else if(win_h > 800) { win_h = 800; } var barOptions; barOptions = "toolbar=no,location=no,menubar=no,scrollbars=yes,"; barOptions += "status=yes,resizable=yes,copyhistory=no,"; barOptions += "width=" + win_w + ",height=" + win_h; pwin = window.open(url, name, barOptions); if(isNullWindow(pwin) == true) { return; } pwin.focus(); if (parseInt(navigator.appVersion)>3) { if (navigator.appName=="Netscape") { pwin.outerWidth=win_w; pwin.outerHeight=win_h; } else pwin.resizeTo(win_w,win_h); } } --> </script> <table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="right" border="0" bordercolor="#002317" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><table _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="195"> <tbody _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"><tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="photocopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics27/200/VE/VEMEFAGIJSFTZBM.20070325165127.jpg </td> </tr> <tr _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> <td class="photocopy" _base_href="http://www.arenafootball.com/"> http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/images/3500/Zoom.gif (javascript:ViewPhoto('529410','300','400','400','529410')) Courtesy: Robert Backman
QB Adrian McPherson </td> </tr> </tbody></table></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">AUSTIN</st1:place></st1:city>—The Austin Wranglers announced today that they have waived quarterback Adrian McPherson. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
“We felt like a change was needed at this point in the season,” said Wranglers General Manager Glyn Milburn. “This was a difficult decision, but we think this choice gives us the best chance to win and earn a spot in the post-season.” <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
McPherson (6-3, 218, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Florida</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>), was acquired in a trade with the Utah Blaze prior to the AFL’s 2007 season. Despite being the 2004 AFL Rookie of the Year, McPherson was inconsistent in his return to the indoor game this season. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Under center now for the Wranglers will be Lang Campbell (6-1, 210, William & Mary), who will assume the starting job for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Austin</st1:place></st1:city>. Chance Mock (http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=19809&SPID=1547&DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=238678) (6-2, 215, <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>), who was signed to the team’s practice squad last week, will be signed to the 24-man roster and will be active as the team’s second quarterback.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
This Saturday, the Austin Wranglers (3-6) travel to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city> to play the Western Division’s Arizona Rattlers (2-8) at 9 p.m. CST. Saturday’s game will be televised Live on Fox Sports Net Southwest and can be heard on AM 1300 The Zone or via the Austin Wranglers Official Website at www.austinwranglers.com (http://www.austinwranglers.com/?SPSID=19809&SPID=1547&DB_OEM_ID=3500).
</td></tr></tbody></table>

[JeeberD]

I guess you missed post #69, eh?

[JeeberD]

Dola-

Holy crap...Glyn Milburn (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/MilbGl00.htm) is the Austin GM? I wonder how many scat-backs they have on that team?

[wade moore]

I guess you missed post #69, eh?Doh.. sure did.. that was in my first week or so at my new job and I missed a lot of posts at FOFC.

Thanks to Pumpy for pointing it out, too bad I missed it ;).

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm really excited about tonight's game between the VooDoo and the Soul. I haven't seen my favorite team (New Orleans) play all season, and although they're only 4-6, they can make a push for the playoffs in front of a national audience. Philadelphia's star QB, Tony Graziani, returns from a shoulder injury that's kept him out for over a month. Sadly, both teams are on long losing streaks. New Orleans is on its first 3-game losing streak in franchise history, while Philadelphia has lost 6 games in a row after starting 4-0 (mostly due to Graziani's absence).

I usually catch at least some of the Monday night AFL game each week, but tonight's and next Monday's game are going to get my full attention. Tonight will be my first time seeing the VooDoo in over a year. Next week, ESPN2 will broadcast from the New Orleans Arena (AKA "The Graveyard"), where I spent many evenings in 2004 and 2005 cheering on the VooDoo. I'm really looking forward to this!

Hey, bear with me, guys. My favorite hockey team got eliminated from the playoffs, my favorite baseball team stinks this year, and this is all I have left. :(

[wade moore]

I REALLY want to get into the AFL, this TV scheduling is just killing it for me.. what I would give to see Austin play right now...

[Young Drachma]

Ouch. VooDoo finally get on TV...and umm..the Soul start learning how to play?

Bleh.

[Pumpy Tudors]

What a disaster that game was. Hopefully, the VooDoo will put on a better showing at home against the Dragons next week.

So painful...

[Butter]

Had no idea Steve Bellisari was still earning gainful employment by throwing a football.