 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Mike Rose
|
|
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
The AFL Beat
|
|
|
It’s been a few months since the Colorado Crush won
ArenaBowl XIX so I wanted to clue you in on a few of the
off-season happenings that have occurred.
The Utah Blaze were inaugurated in June, and are now the
18th team in the league. AFL Hall of Fame coach Danny White,
who was the man behind the championships throughout his
tenure as the Arizona Rattlers top man, was hired to
establish the new franchise. One of his greatest players,
and the all team leading yard gainer in the history of
football, Hunkie Cooper, will be the Utah Blaze’s WR/LB
Coach. Their divisional alignment is yet to be determined,
but the Arena Football League Board of Directors are
currently in off-season discussions to address the matter.
A few rules changes were added for the upcoming season.
Two of them will help keep scoring up as this league continues
to pride itself on its offensive prowess. Substitutions will
now be able to be made on every kick-off keeping each teams
playmakers fresher for the entire game. It also allows them
to continue playing on both sides of the ball at a higher
level. Strong legged kickers will now be a thing of the past,
as the kicking team will be penalized if the ball sails over
the nets on kick-offs. The ball will be placed on the team’s
20-yard line if it occurs, and give the receiving team a
much shorter field to attack. Ties in OT have also been
eliminated. That means a clock won’t come into play if a
team fails to win the game after each of their first
possessions in the extra period.
A look around the NFL training camps shows the NFL has
taken a liking to the talent the AFL has to offer. A total
of 13 players from the league were signed to offer sheets
by NFL teams to compete for roster spots. Some of the most
notable are LA Avengers K Remy Hamilton looking to secure
a kicking job in STL, San Jose’s all everything Rashied
Davis looking to grab a spot in the Chicago bears
secondary or special teams, Dallas WR Will Pettis
praying to grab a spot in ATL to play with Michael Vick,
and NY’s WR/DB and DS Will Holder & Billy Parker looking
to hook up with Oakland and Miami. I’d love to see some
of these guys make a name for themselves in the NFL
much like Kurt Warner did after his days as the QB
of the Iowa Barnstormers.
That’s all for now, but be sure to check back every
few weeks to satisfy your AFL off-season fix.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
