Arena Football: The War on I-4 is back in Tampa Bay
To say that emotions will be running high when the Orlando Predators face off against their arch rivals the Tampa Bay Storm tomorrow night would be an understatement. The War on I-4 as it has come to be known is always a game filled with passionate play from the very first kickoff. This week’s game will not have a big impact on the rest of either team’s season considering both have already clinched their spots in the playoffs, but that will not stop either team from doing all they can to win.
The last time these two teams faced off in late May, Tampa Bay managed to come out with a 62-50 win over Orlando, and in the process tied the overall record for the War on I-4 at 22-22. The Predators will surely be looking for revenge come game time, and to come away with a victory their quarterback Nick Hill will need to continue his hot streak from last week.
Football betting lines star, Hill completed 15 of 22 passes for 217 yards and 6 touchdowns with no interceptions as the Predators clinched their playoff against Oklahoma City. If he continues to play at that same level the Predators will be hard to beat, but he will have a tough test against the Storm’s stingy defense this week, which has allowed a league low 49.1 points per game. It will be a test of wills for both teams after this long season, with the victor securing the lead in the War on I-4.
Iowa Barnstormers look to get even with Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers went on a six game winning streak that started with a win against the Iowa Barnstormers May 21, although they started their Arena Football League season off in rough fashion. For the Iowa Barnstormers, the season finale provides an opportunity to not only redeem their loss to Arizona but to end the season on a good note.
To host a first round playoff game, Arizona is playing for the opportunity, if they beat Iowa, which makes this a spoiler game for the Iowa Barnstormers. For Iowa, there is not much to play for with the exception of making Arizona and their fans travel for the first playoff game. For a seven win season, Iowa will be playing, so they will be playing for pride alone when they travel to Arizona.
Unstoppable in the 2010 Arena Football league season, the combination of rookie wide receiver, Ron Windsor and Nick Davila has been unstoppable. Leading all AFL receivers with 2,138 yards, among AFL quarterbacks, Davila is ranked fourth Windsor as a rookie is tearing up the turf
Iowa hopes to get production out of their top ten quarterback Ryan Vena and their top ten wide receiver Jesse Schmidt. For Iowa, Vena has been solid and next season they have to be optimistic of their chances to build and improve.
Against an Arizona team, Iowa doesn’t stand much of a chance that still has something to play for on their home field. To overpower the undermanned Iowa Barnstormers, look for the high powered offense of the Arizona Rattlers.
Dallas turns to Dozel, the favored son
As any team, the Dallas Vigilantes appeared to have as talented a roster, when the Arena Football League returned to play this year. Going 2-13 entering the final weekend of the regular season, they never came close to playing up to their potential. So now, they have turned to former QB Clint Dolezel, the greatest Dallas player in AFL history.
Replacing interim coach James Fuller, he will take over next season. Having handed the reins to three coaches in one year, the Vigilantes will end this season. As Dozel was a good quarterback, he will have the burden to prove he is as good a coach. In league history in both categories, he passed for 44,564 yards and 931 touchdowns to rank second. He was also the first to throw 900 TDs.
Gene Nudo, Vigilantes general manager said, “We are very excited to welcome Clint aboard. He brings a wealth of experience and is a person our team can look up to. His discipline and mindset will help us as we go forward.”
In Grand Rapids, Dolezel won the 2001 league title and in Las Vegas, he put together two outstanding seasons to become a fan favorite in both cities.
With the Dallas Desperados, Dolezel played three outstanding seasons, taking them to a 15-1 record in 2007. Dolezel consistently put the Desperados in contention, although under him, they failed to win a championship. When Dolezel had his No. 13 jersey retired, at halftime of Saturday’s game against the Utah Blaze, fans remember him fondly and cheered him.
He wants the cheers to keep coming, this time, not for him, but for the team he will coach. It will not be a problem if he can get them to play as well as he did.
Cleveland vs. Jacksonville – Arena League Football Preview
On Saturday, the Jacksonville Sharks and Cleveland Gladiators clash in Arena Football league action.
In the arena football league, Jacksonville is currently the top team. Posting an overall record of 5 wins and just one loss, through six games Jacksonville has managed to lose just one. This puts them at first in the American Conference, their division and atop the entire Area Football League.
For Cleveland, the story has been different. within the National Conference, Cleveland currently sits at the bottom of their division. Though this sounds like a poor standing, they have actually posted a solid record thus far on the year. They have three wins and three losses. Unfortunately, in the Arena Football league, they are in the strongest division. In nearly every other division they would sit in the first or second place positions in the division with a record of three wins and three losses.
Up to this point in the season, Cleveland, football betting odds favorite, has shown a high powered offense. of 62 points per game, their offense has put up a high number. This includes over 335 yards passing per game, which makes up for 98 percent of their total yards per game.
Defense has been the struggle for Cleveland. they have surrendered just over 60 points per game, on defense. This poor defense will make it hard for them to stay at or above .500.
Jacksonville in their defensive game has shown more consistency. The Sharks have managed their superior record by limiting opponents to 47 points per game, despite scoring fewer points (56 per game).
Arena League Football Preview: Chicago vs. Dallas
The Chicago Rush are scheduled to visit the Dallas Vigilantes in an Arena Football League matchup on Saturday, with kickoff at 8:30 Saturday night in Dallas.
Although bet on football favorite, Dallas will hold the home-field advantage in this matchup, it may be the only matchup they’ll ultimately hold in this scenario. The Dallas Vigilantes have struggled mightily thus far in the Arena Football League. These struggles have produced them just one win out of five tries this season, leaving them with a 1-4 record in 2010.
The story has been very different for the Chicago Rush. The Chicago Rush has managed to dominate games and as a result has posted a solid record. To this point in the season, the Rush have managed to win four games out of their first six attempts. This has produced an overall record of 4-2 on the season.
The Dallas Vigilantes have struggled on both sides of the football. So far on the season they have managed to score just 52 points per game. This poor offense, coupled with their defense surrendering 58 points per game spells “trouble” for the Vigilantes in their matchup against Chicago.
Chicago has displayed a “bend but don’t break” defense this year. They have given up more than 320 yards per game, but have managed to intercept 13 passes on the year. This has allowed them to have overall success, giving up only 51 points a game so far on the season. With their defense forcing turnovers and their offense averaging 55 points per game, this team is in position to win every time they play.
Match Preview – Alabama Vipers vs. Tulsa Talons
On Saturday May 8, 2010, the Tulsa Talons host the Alabama Vipers, in their first meeting of the season. With both wins occurring at home, the Talons are currently 2-2. The Vipers hope to end that streak and give them their first loss in front of their home crowd.
Quarterback Kevin Eakin leads the Alabama Vipers. For a total of 1,128 yards, he has competed 84 out of 136 passes. The Vipers are ranked number 1 in total scoring offense in the Arena Football League right now.
Larry Ship is one weapon that the Vipers possess. He has 8 touchdowns and averages 15.3 yards per catch. If Eakin can find Ship, the Talons are going to be in for a long night.
Tulsa Talons have Justin Allgood as their Quarterback, though you can’t count them out. For a total of 1,059 yards and 30 touchdowns, he has completed 88 out of 135 passes. He is ranked 4th in the Arena Football League in pass efficiency.
Wide Receiver Donovan Morgan, who has 31 total receptions this season for 491 yards, will be looked by Allgood. With every catch, Morgan is averaging 15.8 yards. He has scored 15 touchdowns.
Will the Vipers strike or can the Talons go 3-0 at home, giving Tulsa their first loss at home. We will find out on Saturday May 8, 2010.
Arena Football game preview for Jacksonville Sharks V Tampa Bay Storm
In a regular season game, on Friday, the Jacksonville Sharks meet the Tampa Bay Storm. In the Arena Football League this will be the first ever meeting of the two teams. The Sharks in their inaugural season are currently 3-1 heading into the game against Tampa Bay.
Jacksonville Quarterback, Aaron Garcia completed 74 out of 107 pass for a total of 840 yards and have played in all four games this season. In 1995, Garcia joined the Arena Football League straight out of college.
Jomo Wilson is the man on the receiving end of Garcia. Each time he touches the football, he has caught 29 passes and averages 9.3 yards. This season Jomo Wilson has 6 touchdowns.
Brett Dietz, the Quarterback for Tampa Bay, on the other side of the field, has thrown for 1,270 yards. Out of 155 passes, he has completed 95. Dietz has also thrown three interceptions this season.
Tyrone Timmons, Dietz top receiver has 34 total receptions and 450 yards. Currently, he averages 13.2 yards per catch. This season he has 13 touchdowns for the Tampa Bay Storm.
This Friday night, the Tampa Bay Storm would like to add another check mark in the win column and are undefeated at home this season, by defeating the Jacksonville Sharks On May 1st with a 62-60 win; the Sharks were able to squeak by the Tulsa Talons, can they pull off another one in Tampa Bay. I am going to be betting on the outcome of this one.
Chicago Rush – Profile – Arena Football League
In the Arena Football League this season, the Chicago Rush looks to be the standout team. They are the only undefeated team to have played all four games and to have had convincing victories, starting out the 2010 year at 4-0. This is only the second time in team history that the Rush has started so well in a season.
By a few different offensive threats, the Chicago Rush is led. QB Russ Michna has been putting up big number every game. He threw for 330 yards with 22 for 31 passing, in their most recent victory over the Utah Blaze. Not only that, he also had a rushing touchdown in that game.
Michna has proven that he can use his strength and speed to get into the endzone and he not only is accurate but he can adapt to the situation.
Michna has also shown who his new favorite target is; Nichiren Flowers, during all four games of the season. On nine passes and recorded three touchdowns on the game, Flowers totaled 129 yards. With him and Allen Turner in the open field, Michna hasn’t seemed to have a problem moving the ball and scoring relentlessly on unsuspecting teams.
On the defensive end as well, the Rush have also been a force. Chris Martin was all over the field the whole night and had 12 tackles against the Utah Blaze. Clifton Smith also has been phenomenal by getting key sacks and blocking field goals.
With this combination a total defense and of a stellar offense, the Chicago Rush look to be the team to beat this season.
Overview of the season so far in the Arena Football League.
After a rough past couple of years the Arena Football League has regrouped and started the 2010 season. The reformulated league now has 15 teams that will each play 16 games throughout the season and it looks as if everything is back on track.
The season is only about three weeks in but already there have been some leaders and some losers. Some of the breakout teams to start the season include the Chicago Rush, the Tulsa Talons, and the Milwaukee Iron who all remain undefeated.
The Chicago Rush are the only team to have played four games in the season so far and still remain undefeated. They just came off of a win over the Utah Blaze last night, and are looking to continue their streak. With Russ Michna at quarterback and Wide Receivers Allen Turner and Nichiren Flowers always looking for the pass, they look to be a real offensive threat throughout the league.
Both the Tulsa Talons and the Milwaukee Iron have won their first two games in close battles but have shown signs of dominance. The Milwaukee Iron are led by QB Chris Griesen and he has dominated as of late, completing 25 of 36 passes for 382 yards in their last game against the Iowa Barnstormers.
The losers in the league right now include the Utah Blaze and the Cleveland Gladiators both with 3 losses and no victories, followed closely behind by the Iowa Barnstormers and Dallas Vigilantes who both have two losses apiece. All four of these teams have potential and hope to secure a win in the coming week’s games.
NFL – New York Jets – History
In 1960, the New York Jets began play. They were founding member of American Football League and were known as the New York Titans, then. Joe Namath, star quarterback led the team to AFL’s top teams in the late 60’s.
The Jets were instrumental, in the merger between AFL and NHL. In AFL Championships, Jets defeated Oakland and then played against NFL Champion, Baltimore. It was referred as “Super Bowl” for the first time which later on became a star attraction for all sportsbook betting lovers. With an undeterred Namath, Jets defeated Baltimore.
In 1968, in television history, the Jets were also a part of one of the most famous moments. NBC discontinued the match telecast and showed movie Heidi, when Jets took 32-29 lead against Oakland Raiders with 1:05 left.
Raiders were ahead at 43-32 at the end of the game and this outraged the fans to the core. TV networks and the Sports leagues changed their schedule after this incident.
1968, the Super Bowl, was the pinnacle of Joe Namath’s career. The charismatic quarterback suffered from many injuries, throughout the 70s and then retired after four games. Then he was with Los Angeles Rams.
Jets were led by defensive linemen Mark Gastineau and Joe Klecko and by quarterback Richard Todd, after Namath’s departure. “The New York Sack exchange”, was what the two defensive linesmen were called.
In 1983, defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals lost to Jets. They reached finals by losing to Miami Dolphins in the Championship and by defeating top seeded LA Rams.
1998 was Jet’s greatest success, since the days of Namath. Against Denver Broncos, Super Bowl Champion in AFC finals, coach Bill Parcells led them to a 12-4 record and ended season.
Current coach Rex Ryan did a great job by developing core ingredients for team’s success like focusing on running the ball and playing defense and quarterback Mark Sanchez exceeded all expectations.