Pro Football Buffet

Big Arena Football Notebook

I took a quick break after the ArenaBowl, but am back with a large notebook of news

- I heard from good sources Saturday that the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz will indeed be moving to Seattle. It is extraordinarily ironic after the Seattle Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City a few years ago. Quite the trade? I think it will be better for the league to have one Tulsa franchise. The Talons will likely gain a few good fans and players from OKC while the league champion Spokane Shock have a nice new in state rival.

- Oklahoma City coach Sparky McEwan has been contacting players all off season, telling them that the team would be staying in OKC. In fact, he told a player as recently as Saturday afternoon that nothing had changed. He is in for a rude awakening.

- I hear that Tommy Grady is a candidate to become the next QB of the San Jose Sabercats.

- If Rich Ingold is named Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Power, a job for which he is a finalist, expect Ryan Vena to join him in Pittsburgh.

- The Alabama Vipers are officially moving to Georgia. I think the Gwinnett Center is a perfect venue for Arena Football and am excited to welcome the team back into the league. They have already launched their website (gerogiaforce.com) and have a press conference scheduled for today. I will miss the Vipers green jerseys, hopefully we will see them back in the af2 in 2012.

- No word official yet on the Bossier Shreveport Battlewings moving to New Orleans, but it still appears likely.

- It is a strong possibility that the league will return to having a neutral site ArenaBowl next year. Orlando has already become a candidate to host ArenaBowl 24 at the new Amway Arena.

- Mike Hohensee is expected to coach the Philadelphia Soul next season, while Bob McMillen will take over as the top guy in Chicago.

Arena Football League Announces 1st and 2nd All Arena Teams

SPOKANE- The first and second All-Arena teams have been released, the league office announced today. The positions were voted on by coaches, media and fans, with several unanimous selections including Tulsa’s Gabe Nyenhuis and Arizona’s Rod Windsor.

FIRST TEAM ALL-ARENA

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK:

CHRIS GREISEN, MIL

FULLBACK:

DAN ALEXANDER, ALA

WIDE RECEIVER:

ROD WINDSOR, ARZ

DONOVAN MORGAN, TUL

BEN NELSON, CLE

CENTER:

KYLE YOUNG, ARZ

OFFENSIVE LINE:

ADAM TADISCH, CLE

ED TA’AMU, SPK

KICKER:

CHRIS GOULD, CHI

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE:

GABE NYENHUIS, TUL

TIM MCGILL, TBY

KHREEM SMITH, MIL

MAC LINEBACKER:

STEVE WATSON, TUL

JACK LINEBACKER:

DEJUAN ALFONZO, CHI

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

RAYSHAWN KIZER, ORL

TANNER VARNER, IOW

KENNY MCENTYRE, ORL

IRONMAN:

DEJUAN ALFONZO, CHI

SECOND TEAM ALL-ARENA

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK:

BRETT DIETZ, TBY

FULLBACK:

ODIE ARMSTRONG, TUL

WIDE RECEIVER:

ANTHONY JONES, MIL

AARON BOONE, UTA

HUEY WHITTAKER, SPK

CENTER:

BEAU ELLIOT, CHI

OFFENSIVE LINE:

THOMAS KALEITA, TBY

PHIL BOGLE, DAL

KICKER:

CARLOS MARTINEZ, ORL

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE:

ANTAJJ HAWTHORNE, ARZ

JERMAINE SMITH, TBY

ANTHONY HOKE, CLE

MAC LINEBACKER:

CLIFF DUKES, TBY

JACK LINEBACKER:

JAMAR RANSOM, TUL

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

VINCE HILL, ALA

JOSH FERGUSON, CHI

MICHEAUX ROBINSON, JAX

IRONMAN:

KENNY HENDERSON, DAL

Arizona’s Windsor Named Spalding Rookie Of The Year

Rod Windsor has been named the 2010 Spalding Rookie of the Year, the league office announced today. Windsor was a team and league leader across the board for receiving throughout the season, breaking rookie records and setting the trend as the best receiver in the league.

Windsor broke a total of eight rookie records, both at the team and league level. He also shattered several overall Rattler records. After just one season of play, Windsor currently sits at No. 6 in all-time receptions and No. 7 in receiving yards in the Rattlers record books.

In his first year with the AFL, Windsor ended the season with 193 receptions for 2,372 yards and 47 touchdowns. All three statistics are both AFL and Rattler rookie records. He also tallied 12 games with ten or more receptions and six with 15 or more.

Windsor led the league in receptions per game (12.1), receiving yards per game (148.3), total scoring (328 points), total receptions (193) and receiving yards (2,372). He also had the fifth most all-purpose yards in the league.

Twice in the 2010 season, Windsor tallied over 200 receiving yards in a single game, and averaged 12.3 yards per carry.

Milwaukee’s Chris Greisen Awarded Russell Offensive Player Of The Year

TULSA- Milwaukee Iron’s quarterback Chris Greisen has been named the 2010 Offensive Player of the Year, the league announce today. Greisen has proven himself as an outstanding quarterback with a reliable arm for the Iron. Greisen shattered passing statistics all season long, leading the AFL quarterbacks in every category.

Greisen ended the regular season No. 1 in total offense (5156), total passing (5146 yds, 107 TDs) and pass efficiency (.679). In the Iron’s first season in the AFL, Greisen pushed his team to a 12-6 record and an appearance in the postseason. The quarterback was awarded Offensive Player of the Week an incredible four times (Weeks 1, 5, 17 and 19) this season– double any other player in each category.

In 18 games, Greisen completed 432-of-626 (.690) passes with just 12 interceptions for 5693 yards and 121 touchdowns, averaging 316.3 yards a game. The 6-foot-3-inch, 220 pound quarterback from Northwest Missouri State is not a stranger in the spotlight, breaking records in college and professional play throughout his football career. After six seasons playing arena football, Greisen continues to solidify himself as one of the best quarterbacks in Arena Football history.

About AFL Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has afforded the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. A recent deal with the NFL Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game in August.

Tulsa’s Gabe Nyenhuis Awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Year

TULSA- Tulsa Talon’s defensive lineman Gabe Nyenhuis has been awarded the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year. Nyenhuis pressured quarterbacks all season long, threatening the offensive linemen who couldn’t hold back the 270 pound, 6-foot-3 player. In the Talons’ first season in the AFL, Nyenhuis’ experience proved vital for the new team. The Colorado graduate spent two years with the Philadelphia Soul (2007-8) before moving to Tulsa in the revamped AFL. This season Nyenhuis led the AFL in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (13). The lineman won Defensive Player of the Week in mid-season for an outstanding game against Oklahoma City. His statistics would only get better. Nyenhuis ended the season with 21 unassisted and 11 assisted tackles, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and nine forced fumbles. Thanks to Nyenhuis’ leadership on defense, the Talons ended their season as the Southwest Division Champions and a host in the playoffs. Nyenhuis was also awarded the league’s Lineman of the Year honor earlier this week.

Jacksonville’s Les Moss Named Head Coach Of The Year

TULSA- Jacksonville Sharks’ Les Moss is awarded 2010 Head Coach of the Year, the league office announced today. Moss led the Sharks to a 12-5 record and a postseason appearance in the franchise’s inaugural season. Moss’s 21 years of coaching experience has given the team the guidance they needed for a successful season.

Moss began his AFL coaching career in 1988 with the Chicago Bruisers. Two years later, Moss won his first championship with the Detroit Drive. Most of his career would be with the Orlando Predators, starting with their inaugural season in 1991.

The Predators made seven ArenaBowl appearances and won two championships under Moss (1991-2003, 2006-2008). In 2004, Moss spent two seasons as head coach for the af2 team Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers, leading them to an ArenaCup appearance.

Moss’s teams have now played in the postseason for 19 consecutive seasons. His resume includes three ArenaBowl victories, 10 title games and 16 final four appearances.

Arizona’s Danny White Named Assistant Coach Of The Year

TULSA- Arizona Rattlers’ Offensive Coordinator Danny White is awarded 2010 Assistant Coach of the Year, the league office announced today. White is the synonym of football, especially in Arizona. His accomplishments in the sport are hardly surpassed by anybody else. White has broken records in the NCAA, NFL and AFL throughout his playing and coaching careers.

White started his coaching career in the AFL as head coach of the Arizona Rattlers in 1992. In the first thirteen seasons, White led the team to five ArenaBowl appearances and two championships while winning Coach of the Year and becoming an inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame. In 2006, White moved out of his home state to Utah to coach the Blaze for three seasons before returning to the Rattlers for the 2010 season.

White returned to Arizona this season to be Team President and offensive coordinator for the Rattlers in his fourteenth season with the franchise. The Rattlers had another winning season with a 10-7 record and an appearance in the postseason. In the AFL, White is second in the league history in victories with a record of 172-102 after 17 seasons.

Pittsburgh Power to join AFL in 2011

UPDATE: The name Pittsburgh Power was filed with the US Patent Office on August 10, 2010 to be used for the city’s incoming Arena Football team.

Source: AFL Fan Zone

—————-
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported this morning that Arena Football is returning to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh hasn’t had an AFL team since 1991 when the Pittsburgh Gladiators, one of the league’s 4 original teams, relocated to Tampa Bay and became the Storm. The ownership group will contain Steelers great Lynn Swann and games will be played at the new Consol Energy Center. Pittsburgh is the 4th new city announced to be part of the league next year in addition to Kansas City, San Jose, and Philadelphia. As previously reported, Boston, New Orleans, Georgia, and Nashville are still in play to join the league by either expansion or relocation. All expansion franchises, including Pittsburgh, will be announced at Friday’s ArenaBowl between the Tampa Bay Storm and Spokane Shock.

Consol Energy Center

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune Review

New Orleans Voodoo return imminent?

UPDATE2: I have heard from multiple people today that the Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings franchise is finished, making it more likely that a move to New Orleans will be announced in the near future, especially considering that it has already been approved by the league, and that current Battlewings owner Dan Newman has already purchased the domain name aflvoodoo.com.

————–
UPDATE: Commissioner Jerry Kurz said today in response to a question about a potential VooDoo return that, “One should not draw any conclusions at this time. Yes, if the VooDoo returned, it would be a great addition.” It is looking like we will see a team in New Orleans in 2011.

Source: AFL Fanzone

—————–
The New Orleans Voodoo could be returning to the Arena Football League in the near future. It was brought to my attention this morning that Dan Newman, current owner of the league’s Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings and Director of Expansion, purchased the domain aflvoodoo.com last month. It has long been speculated that Newman would move the Louisiana franchise to New Orleans, a location that would likely be much more profitable than Bossier. Before the league suspended operations in 2008, the New Orleans Voodoo were one of the league’s most successful teams, leading the AFL in attendance in 2007. On the other hand, this season the Battlewings have have averaged an AFL worst 3902 fans this season. The team only drew more than 4000 fans twice this year, drawing a season high of 6001 fans this weekend after giving away 5,000 tickets in an attempt to build buzz in the city.

This does not likely mean the end for Arena Football in Bossier. As reported last week, an AFL developmental league is expected to begin play in 2012, and it is possible that Newman moves that Battlewings to New Orleans before starting a new developmental league team in the city for a much cheaper price. He also may own two teams in 2011, and then move the Battlewings down next year. He could have worked out a deal with the league to buy an extra team for this season at a discounted rate, promising to move the Battlewings down to the new version of the af2 in 2012. The Battlewings could also join the Tri-Cities Fever and Amarillo Venom in the lower budget IFL next season before moving back to the developmental league.

This is an ongoing story and we will continue to update you as we receive more details.

Sources: AFL Fanzone, ArenaFan, whois-search.com

Picture Courtesy of Wikipedia

Tulsa’s Nyenhuis named Russell Lineman of the Year

TULSA- Tulsa defensive end Gabe Nyenhuis has been named the Arena Football League’s Lineman of the Year, the league office announced today. A constant threat to offenses, Nyenhuis tallied up impressive numbers while aiding the Talons in reaching the postseason in their inaugural season with the AFL.

While Nyenhuis (6-4, 260, Colorado) tallied 21 unassisted and 11 assisted tackles on the season, it was the quarterback that was his favorite target. He nabbed a spectacular 15.5 sacks on the season, breaking the previous sack record of 15 set by Greg White (Orlando) in 2007.

Additionally, Nyenhuis made 13 tackle-for-losses, a league high. He was also credited with four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and nine forced fumbles in his standout year.

Nyenhuis is no stranger to the indoor game. He has played arena football for three seasons, including a season with the 2008 ArenaBowl Champion Philadelphia Soul, where he recorded 9.5 sacks on the year and was named to the Second Team All-Arena team.

In the past, Nyenhuis has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Soul and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

About AFL

Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has afforded the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. A recent deal with the NFL Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game in August.