Arena Football League 2007 Season Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports' started by ASUFan22, Feb 27, 2007.

  1. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Just found out the Rattlers' first game will be televised. :happy0144: Thank goodness for FSN because ESPN is only picking up 1 of their games. Opening day roster: 2 Kelly, Michael FB/LB 6-1 235 11 East Texas State3 Kral, Gary K 6-0 175 4 Pittsburg State4 Dinwiddie, Ryan QB 6-1 190 0 Boise State6 Pope, Jeremiah WR/DB 5-11 205 1 CW Post8 Damond, Erin DB 6-0 185 2 Southern13 Bonner, Sherdrick QB 6-4 240 13 Cal State-Northridge15 DeMatteo, Cosmo WR/LB 6-1 205 3 Tennessee-Chattanooga17 Gatewood, Randy WR/DB 6-0 185 11 Nevada-Las Vegas19 Todd, Joseph DB 5-10 180 5 Mississippi Valley State23 Harvey, Trandon WR 5-11 190 0 Washington State25 Craver, Keyou DB 5-10 185 0 Nebraska33 Faoa, Asi FB/LB 6-4 275 1 UCLA42 Steen, Grant FB/LB 6-3 245 0 Iowa55 Sharp, Jerry OL/DL 6-3 325 12 Syracuse58 Ruffin, Jeff OL/DL 6-4 295 2 Illinois68 Phillips, Brandon OL/DL 6-8 319 0 Arizona71 Rupp, Zach OL/DL 6-5 260 2 New Mexico73 Mascorro, Steve OL/DL 6-5 331 2 New Mexico State89 Gaines, Wendall OL/DL 6-5 290 7 Oklahoma State95 Ingram, Kelvin OL/DL 6-5 285 10 Oklahoma State97 Battle, Albrey OL/DL 6-4 310 7 Arizona State98 Amey, Vince OL/DL 6-2 310 6 Arizona StateTalk about your teams
     
  2. Suns Fan Guy

    Suns Fan Guy BBW Elite Member

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    LET'S GO RATTLERS LET'S GO. I don't know if you Arizona guys heard, but Prescott may get an AFL team too.
     
  3. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Really? That's interesting...not sure how Prescott would support a team though.
     
  4. Big Smitty

    Big Smitty BBW Member

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    LETS GO SOUL!Graziani(sp) is one of the best QBs in the AFL.
     
  5. Something-To-Say

    Something-To-Say BBW Banned

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    Wow, all 3 AFL fans on this forum will love this, I'm sure. Keep me updated on how my players out of Nebraska do [​IMG]
     
  6. Diawsome

    Diawsome BBW Elite Member

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    if Prescott got a team it would have to be an AFL 2 franchise.ugh Philly gets 7 nationally televised games while the 4 key franchises of the league have a combined total of 3 (Arizona 1, Orlando 2). Who is Bon Jovi blowing to get that kind of special treatment [​IMG]
     
  7. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Yeah, aren't Arizona and Orlando the 2 most successful franchises too? And are you the same Diawsome that signed up at ASFN?
     
  8. Diawsome

    Diawsome BBW Elite Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Feb 28 2007, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, aren't Arizona and Orlando the 2 most successful franchises too? And are you the same Diawsome that signed up at ASFN?</div>Yes I am and I believe Orlando and Arizona are the 2nd and 3rd most successful franchises behind Tampa Bay.Tampa Bay: 6 Arenabowl appearances, 5 championshipsOrlando: 7 Arenabowl appearances, 2 championshipsArizona: 5 Arenabowl appearances, 2 championshipsSan Jose: 2 Arenabowl appearances, 2 championshipsSince 1991 at least one of those 4 teams mentioned above have reached the Arenabowl every year with the expections of 2001 (Grand Rapids/Nashville) and 2005 (Colorado/Georgia). Also since 1991 those 4 teams have combined to win 11 out of 16 championships
     
  9. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    If only the Rattlers didn't lose 3 straight...how is that even friggin possible! I watched all 3...those 2 against the Sabercats were just painful to see with the rivalry we have.
     
  10. Diawsome

    Diawsome BBW Elite Member

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    Tampa Bay Storm: 1 of the 4 original AFL teams (formerly known as the Pittsburgh Gladiators) founded in 1987 moved to Tampa Bay in 1991.All Time Record: 185-98 (.654)Playoff Appearances: 19; missed postseason only once (2006)Division Titles: 6 (87, 95-96, 98-99 and 03)Arenabowl Appearances: 8 (93, 95-96, 98 and 03) reached Arenabowl twice when there were no conferences (87 and 89)Arenabowl Championships: 5 (91, 93, 95-96 and 03)Orlando Predators: founded 1990 began play 1991All Time Record: 165-88 (.652)Playoff Appearances: 15; missed postseason only once (1991) 15 year playoff streak best in the AFL.Division Titles: 7 (92-94, 97, 00, 02 and 06)Arenabowl Appearances: 7 (92, 94-95, 98-00 and 06)Arenabowl Championships: 2 (98 and 00)Arizona Rattlers: founded in 1992All Time Record: 157-83 (.654)Playoff Appearances: 13; missed postseason twice (92 and 05)Division Titles: 5 (96-99 and 04)Arenabowl Appearances: 5 (94, 97, 02-04)Arenabowl Championships: 2 (94 and 97)San Jose Sabercats: founded 1995All Time Record: 122-70 (.635)Playoff Appearances: 10 (95, 97-98 and 00-06)Division Titles: 6 (95, 00-03 and 06)Arenabowl Appearances: 2 (02 and 04)Arenabowl Championships: 2 (02 and 04)
     
  11. blitzburgh55

    blitzburgh55 BBW Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Big Smitty @ Feb 27 2007, 10:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LETS GO SOUL!Graziani(sp) is one of the best QBs in the AFL.</div>Same lets go soul
     
  12. MVPBaller

    MVPBaller BBW Elite Member

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    Dragons all day baby!
     
  13. redneck

    redneck BBW Elite Member

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    I'll be rooting for the Blaze, they did ok their first year but this year hopefully they'll win more and go deep into the playoffs.
     
  14. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (redneck @ Feb 28 2007, 11:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'll be rooting for the Blaze, they did ok their first year but this year hopefully they'll win more and go deep into the playoffs.</div>Fricken a-holes took the whole Rattlers team. [​IMG] Still love Danny White.
     
  15. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Awesome, just read on the Rattlers website that we get 7 games on FSN and that 1 on ESPN2. 8 out of 16 isn't that great, but it's better than what some other teams get.
     
  16. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Good article on Bonner, he has had a great career here.Bonner embarking on 15th season with RattlersMike Dugan, TribuneSherdrick Bonner made his debut with the Arizona Rattlers in 1993, the same year that Suns star Amar? Stoudemire turned 11 and five years before the Diamondbacks played a game.He?s outlasted five Cardinals head coaches and five Phoenix mayors.All told, Bonner has plied his trade in the Valley longer than any other current professional athlete in town ? much longer.?There?s no place like Phoenix and the Valley,? said Bonner, who will begin his 15th Arena League season tonight when the Rattlers play host to Georgia at US Airways Center.?Somebody was talking to me about being the most tenured athlete in the history of the state, and I was like 'what?? It really hadn?t dawned on me, but that just makes me proud to wear this uniform, it makes me proud to be in this city and makes me thankful of the support the fans have given us over the years.?Named one of the 20 greatest AFL players last year, Bonner has etched his name all over the league?s record book, ranking in the top five in all-time yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts.The five-time all-Arena selection is the only player in AFL history to win at least 100 games. His 18 postseason wins are also a record, as are his five ArenaBowl appearances, two of which ended in championships (1994 and 1997).Last year, when many thought his play would begin to tail off, Bonner enjoyed one of his finest statistical years, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 83 touchdowns, six shy of his career best set in 2003.?He?s ultimately, I feel, the best quarterback to ever come through this league,? said Rattlers wide receiver Randy Gatewood, Bonner?s teammate for 10 seasons. ?He?s got the records, he?s got the stats to back it up. Overall, just a great guy, great quarterback and a phenomenal person.?Along with experience, Bonner brings a quick release and a sharp mind to the game, enabling him to process information quickly ? a must for any AFL quarterback. It?s one of the reasons the Rattlers have not named an offensive coordinator for this season.Last year, under then offensive coordinator Lary Kuharich, Bonner started having more input in terms of installing the game plan and that has carried over to this year, with second-year head coach Gene Nudo giving Bonner a lot of freedom to shape the offense.It?s something that keeps him engaged, he said.?During the week, I?m at home writing down scripts for the next day?s practice,? he said. ?Mentally, I?m football, football, football.?Bonner said once his playing days are over that he ?absolutely? wants to segue into a coaching career, but for now his focus is elsewhere ? getting the Rattlers to the top of the AFL once again.ARIZONA RATTLERSSeason opener: 7 p.m. today vs. Georgia at US Airways Center, tape delayed at 10 p.m. on FSN Arizona.Last year: The Rattlers started 0-3 but went 8-5 the rest of the way, making the playoffs for the 13th time in franchise history. After beating the Danny White-coached Utah Blaze in the first round, their season came to end with a loss to division rival San Jose in the second.Who?s gone? Damien Groce and his 21 touchdowns parted for Columbus, leaving a void a wide receiver. Also gone is second-leading tackler Clarence Lawson, who left for Utah. Lineman Mark Tucker retired and is now on the coaching staff, where he continues to be a valuable asset in the locker room.New faces: Defensive back Keyou Craver signed with the team in the offseason after spending the last couple of years playing in the Canadian Football League. Craver was a former Jim Thorpe Award finalist and an All-American at Nebraska. Chandler native Brandon Phillips, who went to Tempe Corona del Sol before going to the University of Arizona, joins the front line.Outlook: Much has been made of the Rattlers? age, with nine players on the active roster 30 or older. Not surprisingly, those within the organization believe that just means the team has more experience. The most important pieces ? Randy Gatewood and Sherdrick Bonner ? are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. But, based on their play last year, when Gatewood was Ironman of the Year and Bonner threw for 83 touchdowns, they both still have a lot left. A major key, therefore, will be the health of the two veterans ? especially Bonner, who has had some injury issues in recent years. A 16-game season out of them would go a long way toward ensuring that the Rattlers? once again make the postseason. Another key will be avoiding a start like last year?s 0-3 opening. Two home games to open the season against Georgia, who some experts are picking to go to the ArenaBowl, and Utah could go a long way in determining the ultimate fate of the team.
     
  17. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Ugh, just watched the Rattlers lose 69-65. It was a crappy game for them. The defense was atrocious, Georgia was scoring so easily...it was hard to watch. They only had 1 stop the whole game. Bonner ended up with a pretty good game, but him and his receivers just weren't connecting at times. This makes next weeks game a must-win. They can't afford to keep starting off seasons badly.
     
  18. KobeBryant_24

    KobeBryant_24 BBW Elite Member

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    GO DALLAS DESPERADOS!
     
  19. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    Dallas vs. New York on ABC now. Should be a good game.
     
  20. ASUFan22

    ASUFan22 BBW Global Mod Team

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    This is really pathetic. Dallas is winning 33-0 at halftime. To not even score in a half of an Arena game is just...wow.
     

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