What was the matter with football the way it is?

There is nothing wrong with football the way it is. The Arena Football League (AFL) is a fun game to watch and is also an invaluable way for non drafted athletes to improve their skills and present a better offering to NFL teams. Kurt Warner is one of those who was a AFL star long before any NFL team took notice.

The AFL game is fast and high scoring. I would hope many of you would give it a chance. These guys are playing for the love of the game and personal improvement.

A far cry from the many overpaid overrated egos in the NFL !!

Interesting, the Arena Football season starts this Friday the 31st, and many of the games will be broadcast on NBC. Has the AFL been carried on TV in the past?

To answer this thread's question, would you rather have a return of the XFL?

While I've never attended an Arena League game (nor watched one on television) I have to admit that the existence of the league has played a vital role in Kurt Warner's and Tommy Maddox's ascension (or should I say RETURN, in the case of the latter QB) to the NFL....while the odds of any Arena League player becoming a "star" in the NFL are incredibly slim, as long as it helps keeps these guys dreams alive, I'm all for it....the league (along with NFL Europe) appears to play a similar role as minor league baseball does to the majors, albeit without the teams having a direct affiliation to any NFL franchise.

locallly and on cable, but this is their first network deal, which is why the season has been moved up (previously they playd in summer).

Shiite! I don't even consider the CFL "real" football. What with those extra 10 yards! Who do they think they are? Damned Candanians. wink

And I certainly wouldn't waste five seconds watching a scrimmage game in a hockey rink.

Here's an article in today's New York Times about arena football and its new NBC contract. The league's expanding to Nashville and New Orleans, with interest in future teams in St. Louis, Boston, DC, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and San Francisco.

btw, CITT, where in Vegas does the team play -- UNLV's arena?

Today's the day that the AFL broadcasts begin. Judge for yourself, starting at 3:00 eastern on NBC.

I was looking forward to the Arena games on NBC but I was on the road and missed them. Was the broadcast good? Who did they have announcing?

The New York Dragons vs the Dallas Desperados game was broadcast here in the east. Dallas took it, 60-56.(!) Play-by-play was by two middle-aged white guys I didn't recognize; others might have.

It was kind of like "toy football". There were a gazillion touchdowns and points after, the scoring system is weird and the ball can be played off the end zone nets. There was no yellow line to mark the first down location. This will take some getting used to.

AFL Rules 101

[ February 02, 2003, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: redsoxbreath ]

I watched the Expansion Colorado Crush and the Georgia Force. I enjoyed the game, I also wish they would highlight the first down marker, but I still was able to figure it out.

I will say the high scores and unusual ways of scoring are a lot more interesting than the NFL. I get so bored watching games where the score is 9-6 and there are nothing but punts all day. In arena there are no punts, and teams get the ball much closer to their opponents goal line more often. I love the pass and I think I am going to be a fan.

I am going to the next game and really look forward to maybe getting a ball (they let you keep them, they must go through dozens in a game). Very Cool!

Went to the game, and had a blast! You can't beat the high scores and fast paced nature of these games. I'm going to order my season tix on Monday!

I LOVE THIS GAME! GO CRUSH!

I guess nobody realized the Arena League has been around for years. So Id say it deserves to be on tv. Your beloved Kurt Warner played in it. wink

Its a fun game to watch and a hell of a lot faster game.

If you didn't watch the San Jose vs. LA game, you really missed out. Wow what a game, LA comes from 17 points down twice to win on a final second 2 pt conversion.

Yes, I said 2 pt conversion, they went for the win rather than OT. Wish NFL coaches had That kind of guts!

Are there any arena fans out there other than myself? I would love to start some Arena talk, and if you're in Denver meet up at a game. I bought my season Tix and cannot be the only fan out here.