So, the AFL isn't half bad...

[RhymesayersDU]

I'm watching this Crush game, since there's not much else on TV right now. I've never really watched it, but it's not half bad. I don't like being able to throw the ball, bounce it off the net, and catch it, (see: that play at the end of the first half) but otherwise, it's cool to watch in the off-season.

It still makes me wonder why the XFL didn't work. I know the talent level was subpar, but so is the AFL's... If these guys were better they'd be in the NFL... but as something to watch in the offseason when there's no other football on, you'd think more people would get into it. Of course I'd take the NFL over the AFL & XFL every day of the week, but as an off-season alternative, it's kinda cool.

[El Guapo]

its more of a personal sport for the fans, thats for sure. I mean you get to sit so close and interact wiht the players.

Also, I see this as a game for the NBA fan.. its almost pure offense, nonstop action. A lot of people cant get into football because its slow at times. Go them. I enjoy both NFL and AFL though.

also watching the game, GO CRUSH! :D

[Play2win]

I think the NFL is getting very Talent Saturated. Which is a good thing, but their are players, IMHO, that can play at a NFL level who are being cut. I think very soon, within the next 5 or so years, you could start another league. A league that would have a talent level not at the NFL level today, but maybe pretty close to what the overall talent level was in the NFL, say 10 years ago.

What would be perfect is if they made it a late Winter/Spring League. That way WE CAN WATCH GOOD FOOTBALL YEAR ROUND!!!

I think the USFL would succeed now, because we have enough talent build up. They just didn't have enough talent back then. Look at how many college players there are, and how few openings there are in the NFL, There's enough players out there to start another league.

Not a "AAA" football league, but a league with very close to the competitiveness of the NFL. I just think there is that much talent out there, thats not making it into the NFL.

What does everybody else think?

[Tredici]

I'm watching this Crush game, since there's not much else on TV right now. I've never really watched it, but it's not half bad. I don't like being able to throw the ball, bounce it off the net, and catch it, (see: that play at the end of the first half) but otherwise, it's cool to watch in the off-season.

It still makes me wonder why the XFL didn't work. I know the talent level was subpar, but so is the AFL's... If these guys were better they'd be in the NFL... but as something to watch in the offseason when there's no other football on, you'd think more people would get into it. Of course I'd take the NFL over the AFL & XFL every day of the week, but as an off-season alternative, it's kinda cool.

The first season I couldn't really watch. You certainly have to get it out of your head that you are NOT watching football. Once you chill on that and just start watching it for the game it is, I decided it wasn't half bad either. Can't see myself ever being more than a homer, though. I can find some reason to watch nearly any NFL game but I think for Arena ball if some team called The Crush isn't playing I wouldn't have much focus. I might decide to go to a game or two next season.

[CBF1]

Been watching AFL since 1993 and love it. I never herd the AFL compare themselfs to the NFL.... why does the casual fan have to do so? It is not the same game by any means and if looked at as such it is a great sport to watch and get behind.

[Tredici]

Been watching AFL since 1993 and love it. I never herd the AFL compare themselfs to the NFL.... why does the casual fan have to do so? It is not the same game by any means and if looked at as such it is a great sport to watch and get behind.

I think it's because of the term - casual fan. It is hard to not make comparisons at first. Once you get past that it is easier to start appreciating the sport for what it is.

[Kaylore]

its more of a personal sport for the fans, thats for sure. I mean you get to sit so close and interact wiht the players.

Also, I see this as a game for the NBA fan.. its almost pure offense, nonstop action. A lot of people cant get into football because its slow at times. Go them. I enjoy both NFL and AFL though.

also watching the game, GO CRUSH! :D
You raise some good points. I realize after your post that the seeming futility of the defense is precisely what I don't like about the game. Defense is my favorite part of the NFL (and one of the many reasons I'm getting pissed at what they are doing.)

So if you are fond of the offensive game, and realize that it is NOT football, I could see how you would like it.

[Crushaholic]

3 years ago, Topeka got a small-time arena football team. It's not anywhere NEAR the talent level of the AFL, but it's good entertainment. Because of that, I've followed the AFL for about a couple of years.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

The AFL has become my filler from the time the Super Bowl is over, until Training Camp starts. Although there are some things that I don't care for in the AFL, like being able to throw a ball off the net for a TD; conversely there are rules in the NFL that I don't care for either. So with anything I take the good with the bad.

The AFL is growing, and I think that there are some distinct factors as to why:

1) NFL Owners, former NFL players, and coaches are getting involved with the league. Now yes, I will agree that the talent pool in the AFL isn't the same as the NFL, but there are some players that can come into the NFL and contribute on special teams. The Bears release R.W. McQuarters because he was an overpaid special teamer and nickle corner. The recently signed Rashied Davis, who has dangerous speed for PR/KR capabilities, and can be effective in nickle and dime packages. The AFL can aid in their cap relief, as well as help develop some younger guys, like a BJ Johnson or a Roc Alexander. Especially with the uncertainty of NFLE future (Bush's desire to close bases in Germany, and the NFL owners decision to keep the league running after next season), the AFL is another viable option.

2) Gen Y and Gen Millenia. These two generations combined are larger than the baby boomers, and they accounted for over 1 Billion in entertainment dollars spent. These two generations have been adapted to utilizing a computer, talk on a cell phone, use a palm pilot, and program their Ipod simultaneously. They also need that kind of stimulation in their entertainment, and the AFL with it's lightning pace and constant ball movement, fits right into their needs. That is also why Hockey and NLL is also very popular amongst this generation.

3) Players, Prices, and Family Fun. I don't know about some of you in OM land, but I am fed up with overpaid cry babies who are like Oliver Twist "Sir give me more, or I will hold out." (TO anyone). Or players that commit or are accused of committing felony crimes, or plea bargain their way out of Jail (Ray Lewis anyone). AFL players make an average of 37K a year and they need to have off season employment; which makes them more a part of the communities that they play in. I find it amazing, when you have an AFL player that remembers your daughter's birthday, or promises to go to a young fan's school for reading time. It is also nice to be able to take my family of 4 to an AFL game, and being 8 rows off the field, I'm out $130 with tickets and parking. I couldn't take my entire family to an NFL game in nosebleed seats, for $130. Lastly, the games (at least here in Crushland) are geared to be family friendly. I went to the regular season game against SJ, and do the frustrating nature of the game, I let one of the referees have it verbally (I wasn't very clean about it either). The usher came up to me and asked me to watch the foul language, because their were some kids sitting behind me. Not only did I feel like an Ass, but it reminded me why I like going to Crush games, because they are so oriented to family fun.

With that being said, the Crush are in the Arena Bowl, and it's nice to feel that excitement of championship football again.

GO CRUSH

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

You raise some good points. I realize after your post that the seeming futility of the defense is precisely what I don't like about the game. Defense is my favorite part of the NFL (and one of the many reasons I'm getting pissed at what they are doing.)

So if you are fond of the offensive game, and realize that it is NOT football, I could see how you would like it.

Defense won the game for the Crush today.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

3 years ago, Topeka got a small-time arena football team. It's not anywhere NEAR the talent level of the AFL, but it's good entertainment. Because of that, I've followed the AFL for about a couple of years.

Topeka Turantula's of AFL2 :thumbs:

[Crushaholic]

Topeka Turantula's of AFL2 :thumbs:

The Tarantulas are the hockey team that is currently in the process of being sold. The Kansas Koyotes are the arena football team. Incidently, Denver has a lower level arena football team called the Rocky Mountain Thunder. They are scheduled to visit Topeka in a couple of weeks.

[Taco John]

Personally, I think they made a terrible decision to start the AFL in February. I think they should have started it in April. I'm usually too depressed to watch any post-Superbowl football... But come April/May, I start to get the fever a little...

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

What is this supposed Porn Stache? Jake was at the game today, and he was clean shaven.

[Kaylore]

Defense won the game for the Crush today.
is 49-43 low for an arena game? I honestly don't know.

Here's what I read from the Post article

The Crush defense, which had allowed single-season records in passing yards (4,661) and total yards (5,046), then came up big as they knocked down two passes. Chicago also committed a holding penalty that wiped out an apparent 15-yard scoring reception by Bob McMillen.

I hope that them stepping up isn't a fluke because if the Crush are setting records for passing yards allowed, this doesn't look good.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

The Tarantulas are the hockey team that is currently in the process of being sold. The Kansas Koyotes are the arena football team. Incidently, Denver has a lower level arena football team called the Rocky Mountain Thunder. They are scheduled to visit Topeka in a couple of weeks.

That's right, my bad. The Koyotes are APFL and I get them confused with the Tarantulas, my humblest apologies.

[Kaylore]

What is this supposed Porn Stache? Jake was at the game today, and he was clean shaven.
Yeah. Forgot to mention that in my Fan Fare post. Jake shaved the porno-stache.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

is 49-43 low for an arena game? I honestly don't know.

Here's what I read from the Post article



I hope that them stepping up isn't a fluke because if the Crush are setting records for passing yards allowed, this doesn't look good.

Their defense reminds me of the old Collier (sp?) Bend but don't break mentality. They keep everything in front of them, as best they can, and most their defensive stops come within the redzone. And yes to hold an opponent to under 48 points is considered good defense.

[Crushaholic]

Yeah. Forgot to mention that in my Fan Fare post. Jake shaved the porno-stache.

Now, if we can work on the sunglasses, that would be great...

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

I was watching Jake at today's game, and Dutton threaded a pass in between the LB and the DB, and he had this "How the hell did he do that?" look on his face.

[BRONCCRUSHFAN]

Personally, I think they made a terrible decision to start the AFL in February. I think they should have started it in April. I'm usually too depressed to watch any post-Superbowl football... But come April/May, I start to get the fever a little...

See the AFL used to start in like late March, but there were NFL teams that were interested in AFL players to bring to camp, but couldn't because they were in their AFL season. Often times a player would leave the AFL roster to go to training camp, and it really messed with the stability of teams and the league. So they moved the season to start in February, and so players like Rashied Davis can report to training camp on time.