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Tim Tebow Is Not a Fit for Arena Football League Transition

May 15, 2013

The air in the Mile High City was too crisp for Tim Tebow’s liking, and the Big Apple was unkind to him. A potential transition to the Arena Football League would be no different for the former NFL quarterback and trending celebrity.

ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski, a former NFL quarterback and current part-owner of the Philadelphia Soul, offered Tebow a roster spot on his team this week. 

So far, there has been no response from Camp Tebow.

“I haven’t heard back from him and I’m not going to push it,” Jaworski said, courtesy of Philly.com. “If he decides he wants to play Arena Football, we’ll make a spot for him.”

How kind of Jaworski to offer Tebow a gig in one of the NFL’s minor league entitlements. We might as well call it a slap in the face.

The fact of the matter is Tebow is too skilled, too agile, too swift and too athletic to stoop down to the AFL. It isn’t worth his time, energy or commitment. He would tear up the AFL if given the opportunity.

However, Jaworski believes the AFL would serve as a training league for Tebow, according to Philly.com:

“One [criticism] of Tebow is that he is slow and methodical,” Jaworski said. "He would be forced to quicken it up in this league. You can learn a lot in this league. It’s about processing information and getting the ball out … or you get whacked.”

How can Tebow be slow and methodical if a team never fully invested in him? Throughout his short-lived three-year NFL career, Tebow has never had a chance to develop into a legitimate game-changer.

Denver surprisingly selected Tebow 25th overall in the 2010 NFL draft. He played just two seasons—23 games—with the Broncos before being dealt to the New York Jets in exchange for a fourth- and sixth-round pick.

That experiment failed miserably, but it wasn't because Tebow couldn’t play. Rather, it was because Jets head coach Rex Ryan never gave the quarterback a chance to prove himself.

The facts are simple: Tebow played just 77 snaps last season. He never broke a sweat.

Despite all the negative criticism and public lynching thrown his way, Tebow, when given a chance, has shown how effective he can be with the ball in his hands. He threw five touchdowns his rookie year, and he followed suit by tossing 12 the following year. He also rushed for 887 yards and scored 12 times over his first two seasons. 

More importantly, his leadership helped guide the Broncos to the postseason and a surprising win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His numbers are certainly better than those of his former teammate Mark Sanchez, who is as incompetent as they come. Sanchez has thrown more interceptions (69) than touchdowns (68) over his four-year career.

If Tebow signs up for a position in the AFL, it would be a disservice to himself and those who are deserving of a second chance. 

Arena Bowl XXV Preview: Soul vs. Rattlers

Aug 10, 2012

Who: (15-3) Philadelphia Soul vs. (13-5) Arizona Rattlers

What: Arena Bowl XXV

When: Friday, August 10th at 10:30PM

Where: New Orleans Arena (Home of NBA Hornets and AFL VooDoo)

TV/Radio: NFL Network

The last time the Philadelphia Soul were Arena Bowl champions was the 2008 season in New Orleans. Now it's 2012, and the AFL Championship is back in the Big Easy. The Soul went 15-3 in this year's Arena Football regular season, outscoring opponents 1228 to 919. First-year head coach Doug Plank has turned the franchise over after the disappointing 2011 season where Philadelphia was 6-12—last in the East Division.

Philadelphia will take on a tough Arizona Rattlers squad, who finished the 2012 campaign with a 13-5 record.

Philadelphia's Road to Arena Bowl XXV:

Round 1:

Defeated New Orleans VooDoo 66-53:

Soul Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh threw for 250 yards and 7 touchdowns in the 13-point victory over New Orleans. Philadelphia was leading by just one at halftime (31-30), but they pulled away with three Raudabaugh touchdowns in the second half.

Round 2:

Defeated Jacksonville Sharks 89-34:

The Soul's offense has been lethal all year long. The 89 points against Jacksonville set a new AFL postseason record for most points in a game. Wide Receiver Larry Brackins caught five TDs from Raudabaugh in the blowout semifinal victory. Confetti fell from the Wells Fargo Center's ceiling as the Philadelphia Soul are headed to the franchise's second ever AFL Championship Game.

Arizona's Road to Arena Bowl XXV:

Round 1:

Defeated San Jose SaberCats 51-48:

Arizona didn't have the easiest trip to the 2012 Arena Bowl. The Rattlers sneaked out a 51-48 victory over upset-minded San Jose. WR Maurice Purify caught four touchdowns and 134 yards from quarterback Nick Davila in the victory. The Rattlers jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but San Jose  played tough and almost pulled off a shocking first-round win.

Round 2:

Defeated Utah Blaze 75-69:

The 13-7 Utah Blaze outscored Arizona 35-16 in the second quarter, but Davila threw for 331 yards and eight TDs as the Rattlers held back Utah in the National Conference semifinal. Blaze quarterback Tommy Grady threw for 441 yards and 10 TDs in the losing effort.

Keys to Arena Bowl XXV:

For Philadelphia:

Offense, Offense, Offense:

The Soul only had three games where they scored less than 60 points. If Philadelphia can put up at least 70 points, their defense is good enough to stop the Rattlers on a couple of possessions. The Philadelphia offense has embarrassed AFL defenses all season long, and it would be no surprise if the Soul did that in Arena Bowl XXV.

For Arizona:

Get Some Stops:

It's almost impossible to stop the Soul offense, but Arizona will need to slow it down to win the Arena Football Championship.

Prediction:

Philadelphia Soul 69, Arizona Rattlers 55

Philly's offense is way too lethal for the Rattlers, who will give a good showing, but fall short in the second half. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if the Soul score more than 69 points.

Follow Teddy Bailey on Twitter: 

Arena Football League Closes Down After 22 Years

Aug 5, 2009

The Arena Football League that gave players an opportunity from future Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner to little known guys like QB Raymond Philyaw, closed down operations on August 5, 2009.

As a self-proclaimed “Football Junkie,” I have to admit that I liked the scoring, commonality, and toughness of the Arena Football League. The minor indoor football league helped bridge the gap between long, boring summers and the start of NFL training camps for many.

But after 22 years of thrills, pinball machine-type scoring, family value-priced fun, and guys crashing into padded walls and each other, the indoor Arena Football League this week announced that it would be no more. 

The league that gave anyone gutsy enough to put on a helmet a shot—for basically peanuts—from former college stars (Major Harris, Woodrow Dantzler, and Michael Bishop) to future NFL players (Kurt Warner, Mike Furrey, Oronde Gadsen, and Troy Brown) to NFL washouts (Todd Marinovich, Quincy Carter, and Marcus Nash) did not have enough backing in this bad economy to keep afloat their very flawed economic model.

Despite a modest television contract with ESPN, the league clearly had become two worlds of the “Have’s” and “Have Nots” as teams in Philadelphia, Denver, and Dallas—all backed by high-powered owners—clearly could not carry the leagues weaker teams (Los Angeles and others) any longer.

The AFL had previously called off play for the 2009 season, but had said it planned to return in 2010. However a to-the-point one-paragraph statement announced that the league had suspended operations. The statement said the AFL’s board had been “unable to reach any consensus on restructuring the league over the past eight months.”

The AFL’s board also added, “there are no other viable options available to the league right now.”

By all apparent accounts the league is likely to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. The loss of another professional football league may seem like the National Football League is ruling the block again.

But unlike past failed professional leagues (WFL, USFL, and XFL), the AFL never tried to compete with their larger cousin as they marketed themselves completely different.

The excitement built from playing in a hockey arena type environment’s 50-yard field with eight-on-eight player action on the field—many players played both on offense and defense, nets, smaller goalposts, and padded walls thrilled crowds from Utah to Albany. 

The AFL went from a little over 130,000 fans attending games in its inaugural season (1987) to its own EA Sports video game. The AFL brought football to the masses at a good price and most importantly they gave fans what they wanted most, scoring—I once attended a game that ended 70-68. 

Even though the majority of players were largely unknown, fans flocked to places like Veterans Memorial Auditorium (a/k/a “The Barn") in Iowa to see men play their guts out and then sign autographs for what seemed to be every fan in attendance. 

The league’s last champion was rocker Jon Bon Jovi’s Philadelphia Soul, who broke the City of Brotherly Love’s championship drought in June 2008 by winning ArenaBowl XXII with a score of 59-56 over the San Jose SaberCats. 

With the AFL going by the wayside along with NFL Europe in recent years, you have to now wonder where players not of NFL caliber will apply their trade. The NFL clearly needs a developmental-type league as rosters include only 80 players in training camp until they are cut down to the regular season limit of 53 players and an eight-player practice squad. 

The new United Football League (UFL) starting in September 2009 may be an option for some, but I don’t know how any league can compete with the NFL in the fall even if games will be played on Thursdays and Fridays. 

For those that still need their indoor football fill there is still af2, the AFL’s offshoot is currently playing this season and is in the midst of the ArenaCup playoffs.

There are 25 teams in the af2 and there has been talk that the AFL’s former little brother—the AFL owns 50.1 percent of the af2—might be able to absorb some of the AFL’s stronger teams.

According to af2’s Iowa Barnstormers co-owner Jeff Lamberti, the af2 is solvent, self-funded, and pays its bills so it should keep going despite the AFL going bankrupt.

Philadelphia Soul All-AFL receiver Chris Jackson said of the bygone league, “I feel bad for the fans because for 22 years it was one of the most unique, most loved, most fun sports I’ve ever been a part of. It’s just a shame there’s no more Arena Football League for people.”

I guess people seeking some minor league sports action will have to go to tractor pulls and bull riding contests at their local arena.

Many thanks go out to AFL players like Sherdrick Bonner, Connell Maynor, Hunkie Cooper, and many others for 22 years of “There’s a Rumble in the House” memories. 

 

Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

Arena Football Cancelled?

Dec 10, 2008

The Philadelphia Soul may have picked the best time to win the Arena Bowl, as it seems that the 2009 AFL season may be suspended. The decision is based on putting together a solid plan for the future of the league which states that the plan is to reopen in 2010.

Excuse me if I seem skeptical.

The AFL has grown in its 20 plus years but of course will never be viewed as a major league such as the NFL, MLB or NBA. That said there has been some success to boats. Attendance has gone up as a league over the last decade and the league has expanded in to the Philadelphia market, home of the most recent league champions. But there are too many negative signs for me to have faith that a return will happen in 2010.

For starters the long time league commissioner David Baker resigned two days before the championship game. To date no replacement has been named. Baker watched the league grow from it's start and to get out as quickly as he did should send smoke signals that something is not right. With no replacement yet at a time when the league's schedule has been postponed three times and the draft has been put on hiatus it should be clear that there are major problems.

Add to the mix that ESPN holds a share of ownership in the league and it would be easy to think that they will have some way of determining what happens. Does ESPN want to continue broadcasting the league's games or would they rather attempt to spend that money trying to buy broadcasting time for the NHL again? I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.

As is the case any time ESPN gets involved, the AFL was given MTV style treatment focusing on the celebrity owners like Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway rather than the players on the field. Taking the easy way out to showcase the owners rather than explore the game itself was ESPN's mistake. I am not saying this is why the league is where it stands now, but it may be time to end that relationship, or at least the way the game is presented.

The af2, the developmental "minor" league to the AFL will continue to operate in 2009.

As of today it seems that the Philadelphia Soul will be holding the "world championship" title for two years.

Arena Bowl XXII: Philly's Got Soul and the Streak Is Over!

Jul 28, 2008

The Phillies couldn't do it last September. The Flyers couldn't do it this summer. The Sixers couldn't quite get it done this postseason. But thanks to Jon Bon Jovi and Ron "Jaws" Jaworski, the City of Brotherly Love can finally sing "We Are the Champions!"

Just like the Colorado Crush, the Philadelphia Soul defied the odds of being a young team and defeated the heavy arsenal of the San Jose Sabercats.

Led by Matt D'Orazio's 302 yards and eight touchdowns (seven passing and one rushing) on 26 of 43 attempts, the Soul shocked the Arena Football world with a 59-56 victory over San Jose to give the city of Philadelphia their first World Championship in over two decades.

D'Orazio gained MVP honors for his performance while his partner in crime Chris Jackson snagged 11 catches for a game high 146 yards and three touchdowns to gain Offensive Player of the Game honors.

It wasn't an easy road for the Soul yesterday as the Sabercats showed the tenacity that got them there. In the final stretch of the fourth quarter, the 'Cats scored 14 points in an 11 second time span to move within three with 15 seconds on the clock. With an onside kick imminent, it was Rod Davis who provided the last second heroics by recovering the loose ball and sealing the deal and the celebration for the Soul.

This was arguably the biggest win in the city's history mainly because it will be the first world championship they've seen since 1983. The team itself answered the pre-season challenge of owners Jaws and Jovi. With prime time quarterback Tony Graziani on the shelf, D'Orazio stepped up in a major way and made it clear that he wouldn't let his new bosses down.

But D'Orazio is no stranger to the pressure of performing in the Arena Bowl. He earned his first MVP honors two years ago when he led the Chicago Rush to an Arena Bowl Championship. Now the Soul can add their name to the elite teams of the league who made it to the dance and won.

The Sabercats have nothing to be upset about. They did have a slow start at the beginning of the season, but they managed to step up at the right time. On Sunday, gunslinger Mark Grieb finished with 299 yards and eight touchdowns on 27 of 44 attempts.

Outstanding wideout Rodney Wright set a new Arena Bowl record with 13 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns while his partner in crime Jason Geathers added eight catches for 101 yards and five touchdowns in a losing effort.

A few weeks ago, co-owner Bon Jovi said that if the Soul won the Arena Bowl Championship, he would create the best looking championship ring ever. Come next season, Jon, I expect to be dazzled and amazed, but until then, congratulations on bringing Philadelphia the respect it so rightfully deserved.

ArenaBowl XXII: 'Cats and Soul Battle In Voodoo City

Jul 26, 2008

If anyone was interested, one football season is on the verge of closing up shot from another season. It may not be the NFL, but it has been just as good at filling the void left by the end of the NFL season. Now with the NFL back on the horizon, Arena Football is ready to close out another successful season with a great game.

Tomorrow in New Orleans, the San Jose Sabercats look to defend their championship against the determined and upset minded Philadelphia Soul in ArenaBowl XXII. With the 'Cats holding 2-1 edge in the season series, Philadelphia looks to rekindle that magic they had when they came back from 20 points down to win 58-57 back in Week Seven.

The Soul have been dominant all season long, leading the league in wins with 13. The Sabercats stumbled out of the gates, but slowly but surely showed their juggernaut side to march back into the AFL's premier game. Led by quarterback Matt D'Orazio and outstanding wideout Chris Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi is poised to bring the City of Brotherly Love its first World Championship in over two decades.

On the other side of the field, San Jose brings back its itchy trigger man Mark Grieb and a ultimate opportunist in the form of Jason Geathers, who stepped up in place of the injured James Roe. With a lot of luck and talent, San Jose is poised to acquire their second straight World Championship.

When the smoke clears in New Orleans, it will most likely come down to the special teams play of Rodney Wright and Mike Brown. But just like in Week Seven, it might come down the foot of A.J. Haglund of San Jose. After missing the game winner in that game, Haglund will be looking to redeem himself in most likely the biggest game of his career.

No matter the outcome, this will be one of the most entertaining ArenaBowls in recent memory. Can San Jose finish the job they started late in the season? Can Philadelphia bring back the Soul of the city and a championship as well? Tune in tomorrow at 3 EST as the Voodoo City plays host to the 22nd ArenaBowl.

Arena Football Preview: Monday Night Match-Up of Unbeatens

Apr 27, 2008

Dorthy, this ain't Kansas anymore.  It, is appropriately dubbed, the Broad Street Brawl.  This isn't your normal mid-season clash of unbeatens, like the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts match-up always has potential to be.  This isn't even an NFL match-up.  It's only the first time ever this late in an AFL season that two unbeaten teams, Dallas (7-0) and Philadelphia (8-0), have met.  And what a contest it should be.

Monday Night Football on the four-letter network takes a whole new stance tomorrow night, as the unbeaten Dallas Desperados visit the also unbeaten Philadelphia Soul at 8:00 PM ET on the deuce.

Dallas and Philly, just like in the real football league, are divisional rivals.  Which adds even more hype to this contest.  They will meet again in Dallas week 15 of the regular season.  There is even more intrigue to this match-up for both teams.  In spite of both being undefeated, both teams had lost their starting Quarterbacks for four games each this season, yet have both still found ways to keep winning.

Dallas has done it behind the leadership, even when he missed time, of maybe the best to ever play the game in Quarterback Clint Dolezel.  With 884 career TD passes, Dolezel will soon reach the 900 TD mark, which is unmarked territory for anyone who's ever picked up a football.

Philadelphia has marched to their undefeated mark behind the stellar play of their wide receivers.  Their top three wide outs, Chris Jackson, Larry Brackins, and Darius Watts, have combined this year for 48 touchdowns.  Brackins and Watts both are former NFL entities, who struggled to produce in the League, but fit in very nicely in the AFL.

Keeping it real however, this is a football game in the middle of springtime, immediately following the conclusion of the NFL draft.  So how important can this game really be?  You be the judge.  But one thing is guaranteed-A lot of scoring, a lot of fun and a very entertaining (indoor) football game.

Arena Football League: Week Five Power Poll, Preview

Mar 28, 2008

Here is my Week 5 Power Poll and Preview of games

This week there are some key games to watch out for in Week 5.

You have the final two undefeated teams playing this weekend and looking to stay perfect on the year.

The Philadelphia Soul (4-0), #1 in the Power Poll, hosts #5 Tampa Bay Storm (2-1), on Saturday, March 29 at 2p.m. ET (ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com).

The Soul's offense did not look like it missed injured QB Tony Graziani at all last week against Los Angeles. Backup QB Matt D'Orazio stepped in and was 28 of 42 for 338 yards and eight touchdowns. 

The Dallas Desperados (4-0), #2, travels to the Nassau Coliseum to take on #15 New York Dragons (1-3) on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. ET in a Eastern Division matchup.

Desperdos QB Chris Sanders was 20-of-28 for 276 yards and six touchdowns last week as the Desperados ended the SaberCats 15-game home winning streak 

The Desperados are looking to go 5-0 for the second consecutive season with a win. Dallas is 32-4 in their last 36 regular-season contests, including 12 in a row and six straight on the road. 

The Chicago Rush (3-1), #3, welcomes the Arizona Rattlers (2-2), #9, to the Allstate Arena on Friday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET (AFL NET, FSN Arizona - Delay, at 9:30 p.m. PT, CSN Chicago - Delay, 3/29 at 4 p.m. CT, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130).

This game marks the first time Rush QB Sherdrick Bonner will face his former team of the past 14 seasons.

Bonner, left Arizona as the team's all-time leader in passing yards (40,979), attempts (5,268), completions (3,261) and touchdown passes (829).

Bonner also led the Rattlers to five ArenaBowl appearances and two championships in ArenaBowls VIII and XI.

This weeks other games include:

Saturday

#8 San Jose (2-2) at #16 Kansas City (0-3), 6:00 P.M. ET, (FSN Bay Area/NBC Local - Live, KSMO Local - Live)

#7 Orlando (2-2) at #13 Columbus (1-3), 7:00 P.M. ET, (AFL NET, WRDQ TV - Live, Columbus Sports Net - Live, CSS - Delay, 3/30 at 5:30 p.m. ET, SIRIUS Radio - Channel 130).

#14 Georgia (1-3) at #17 Utah (0-4), 9:00 P.M. ET, (CSS - Live, KJZZ - Live)

Sunday

#10 Los Angeles (2-2) at #12 Grand Rapids (1-2), 2:00 P.M. ET

#4 New Orleans VooDoo (3-1) at #11 Colorado (1-2), 4:00 P.M. ET (FSN Rocky Mountain Local - Live).

Bye Week: #6 Cleveland (3-1)

Power Poll Rankings:

 1) Philadelphia Soul (4-0, LW: 1) Beat Los Angeles 71-34 on 3/20

 2) Dallas Desperados (4-0, LW: 2) Beat San Jose 59-56 on 3/22

 3) Chicago Rush (3-1, LW: 4) Beat Colorado 70-35 on 3/22

 4) New Orleans VooDoo (3-1, LW: 6) Beat Cleveland 63-24 on 3/21

 5) Tampa Bay Storm (2-1, LW: 8) BYE WEEK

 6) Cleveland Gladiators (3-1, LW: 3) Lost to New Orleans 24-63 on 3/21

 7) Orlando Predators (2-2. LW: 11) Beat Georgia 50-45 on 3/22

 8) San Jose SaberCats (2-2, LW: 5) Lost to Dallas 59-56 on 3/22

 9) Arizona Rattlers (2-2, LW: 13) Beat New York 62-33 on 3/21

10) Los Angeles Avengers (2-2, LW: 7) Lost to Philadelphia 71-34 on 3/20

11) Colorado Crush (1-2, LW: 9) Lost to Chicago 35-70 on 3/22

12) Grand Rapids Rampage (1-2, LW: 15) Beat Kansas City 92-52 on 3/24

13) Columbus Destroyers (1-3, LW: 17) Beat Utah 52-49 on 3/21

14) Georgia Force (1-3, LW: 10) Lost to Orlando 50-45 on 3/22

15) New York Dragons (1-3, LW: 12) Lost to Arizona 33-62 on 3/21

16) Kansas City Brigade (0-3, LW: 14) Lost to Grand Rapids 52-92 on 3/24

17) Utah Blaze (0-4, LW: 16) Lost to Columbus 49-52 on 3/21

WEEK 4 HONORS

CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: Grand Rapids Rampage QB James MacPherson and Philadelphia Soul WR Chris Jackson

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER: New Orleans VooDoo DB Calvin Spears

IRONMAN PLAYER: Chicago Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo

Philadelphia-Chicago: Preview

Mar 8, 2008

The 1-0 Philadelphia Soul head to the climate controlled tundra of Allstate Arena in Chicago to take on the similar 1-0 new look Chicago Rush.

For Chicago, gone are QB Matt D'Orazio (FA to the Soul) and WR Bobby Sippio (to the NFL), and in are QB Seddrick Bonner (FA from Arizona) and WR Damian Harrell (FA from Colorado).

The Rush man-handled their Week One  opponent and defending Arena Bowl champions San Jose Sabercats, with the team's defense holding them to just 47 points.

Meanwhile, their offense put up an equally impressive 70 point against the defending champs.

The Philadelphia Soul put on an offensive show last week against the Predators. They would have scored a touchdown every time they had the ball had they not been trying to kill the clock on their last drive.

The Soul's defense is nothing to laugh at either.

Their pass rush is fierce as they hurried Stafford in to countless bad throws last week, while putting him into the ground just about every time he dropped back to pass.

The Soul have played the Chicago Rush every year in their young existence.

They have played them twice in Philly and twice in Chicago. The home team has won every time.

The Soul have also beaten them each of the last two seasons.

Both teams are also owned by former NFL icons, Ron Jaworski in Philadelphia and Mike Ditka in Chicago.

This is going to be a tough game to predict, as both teams are so evenly matched (They both have left handed QBs, for crying out loud).

I am going to predict that the Soul will win (I have to, I said they are going 19-0) and I also think that this will be a preview of the Arena Bowl.

Here's a link to the official AFL preview.

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