YouTube Tuesday - June 7, 2011

A look at this week's opponent, Tommy Grady:

Official Divisional Alignment, Goodbye OKC

Today the AFL announced Divisional Alignments for next year. Absent from the teams is Oklahoma City. Rumors had been spreading that after the deal to move OKC to Seattle fell through the team planned to drop from the AFL and either go dormant or join one of the IFL leagues.

Travel for the Talons seems to be greater next year as they will have to visit Dallas, Kansas City, Iowa, and Chicago once, and maybe visit Spokane, Arizona, Utah, or San Jose. At least now I can start to write my series of "Road Tripping" blog posts.

Here is the full text of the Release:

The Arena Football League has announced new division alignments for the 2011 season. New franchises will highlight natural rivalries in all four divisions. The eighteen teams are split into the National and American Conference. The National Conference houses the West Division and Central Division. The American Conference divides into the South Division and East Division.

“This divisional alignment allows teams to revive some of their old rivalries while creating some natural new ones,” Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said. “We are very excited about the 2011 Arena Football season.”

During the 18 game schedule, each team will play every opponent in their respective division twice. Teams will also play the opponents in their conference once.

National Conference

West Division
Arizona
San Jose
Spokane
Utah

Central Division
Chicago
Dallas
Iowa
Kansas City
Tulsa

American Conference

South Division
Georgia
Jacksonville
New Orleans
Orlando
Tampa Bay

East Division
Cleveland
Milwaukee
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh

What will the AFL look like next year?

Well the ArenaBowl is over, and congratulations to the Spokane Shock; even if I did pick against you. Now comes the offseason, a horrible 7-8 month wait till the next kickoff. At least in the mean time I have NFL, NCAA, and NBA to keep my busy. But also, we have AFL speculation to keep us busy as well. As of this morning there are a lot of rumors for shakeups for AFL franchises.

First off, we know the announced expansion teams will be around:

Philadelphia Soul
San Jose Sabercats
Kansas City Brigade
and as of last night, the Pittsburgh Power

But where does that leave the other 15 franchises? For some it may mean relocation.

The Alabama Vipers:
Late last night it was announced that the Georgia Force may be returning. But they may not be an expansion team. Instead it has been rumored that the Alabama Vipers will be relocating and rebranding as the Force. This season Alabama played in the smallest arena in the AFL. They could only max out at around 7,000 fans. That heavily limited the amount of income the team could bring in, both is tickets and in sponsorship. That combined with higher costs could be too much for the owners to handle.

The Bossier-Shreveport BattleWings:
It has been rumored for weeks, since their owner registered aflvoodoo.com, that the BattleWings could be relocating to New Orleans and rebranding as the VooDoo. The BattleWings never pulled a large crowd, even in their time in the af2. The difference was that in the af2 the loss on the owners was acceptable, in the AFL its much larger. This could spell doom for the BattleWings.

The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz:
The Yard Dawgz were a decent team this year. They pulled decent crowds as well. However, they still were loosing money, and have been since at least the time the Thunder came to town. That combined with the new AHL Hockey Team (Barons), could mean the owners aren't willing to try to compete with other sports in town. Instead they could take their team elsewhere and try to turn a profit. The rumored location? Seattle. Yeah, another Seattle/OKC team swap. Very Ironic, but could happen.

As for the rest of the league nothing seems likely to change. The only team with light rumors is the Milwaukee Iron. The Iron have had issues with an ownership group and attendance. However, for the foreseeable future they will probably remain in the league.

YouTube Tuesday - July 6, 2010

With the Yard Dawgz still being in the Division race I decided to use one of their website videos today. I don't know why, but I really think they always have great promotional videos. I kind of with the Talons would do something in the same manner:

Mid-Season AFL Expansion Rumors

With the season half-over there are lots of rumors circulating about possible teams expanding and/or leaving the AFL. It looks like there will be 5-6 teams joining the league next year and I want to take a look at the possibilities.

Possible Expansion Cities (by likelihood):

1. Philadelphia, PA

The most likely of all the expansion talks is Philadelphia. This has been mentioned since day one. The only thing that was scary was the Tampa Bay Storm Radio reported on Twitter that there were some hangups with bringing the Soul back. However, there are rumors that the hangups have been solved. Possibility 95%

2. San Jose, CA

San Jose has been a historic franchise in the AFL. However, when the league reformed this year, workers compensation law scared the league away from California. As the league and San Jose (along with some changes to California WC law) have come to terms, this is looking more and more likely. Possibility 90%

3. Kansas City, KS

When the league was forming this year Kansas City was one of the 20 cities looking to join. However, certain things kept KC out. In addition to certain rumors I will talk about below, the league seems to want to have KC in the league. Not only were they a good fan base in the old AFL, it also makes sense geographically. KC sits perfectly between Tulsa and Des Moines, making regional travel very easy. This will help keep costs down for the league. Possibility 85%

4. Pittsburg, PA

The workers town of the USA. Rumors have been floating about this city for awhile now. It would make sense too. It's perfect for the region and the type of city where the AFL should flourish. Possibility 75%

5. Los Angeles, CA

LA was talked about in conjunction with San Jose. However, the biggest roadblock to the return of professional football to the City of Angels is finding a venue. The best thing they could do is put the team in Anaheim. Possibility 60%

6. Denver, CO

The Crush were a solid long-term franchise of the AFL, mainly due to involvement from John Elway. However, in the current league they are in a somewhat remote market. They could make a good addition to the West who are already spread out. Possibility 35%

7. San Antonio, TX

It has been rumored that San Antonio is hungry for a team. However, their first stint with a team in 1992 ended in the same year. The San Antonio Force was the first team shut out in the AFL. If the city is really wanting to join the AFL I can see it happening, but not next year. Possibility 20%

Possible Franchise Closing/Moving/Changing

1. Dallas Vigilantes

This rumor surprised me when I first heard about it, but it seems to make sense, but in a round about way. Rumors are that Jerry Jones wants to return to the AFL and bring the Desperados back with him. To do so, his "Franchise Fee" would be used to move the Vigilantes to Kansas City and be rebranded as the Brigade. Jerry Jones can fill seats in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, so if he really does want to come back it will happen.

2. Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz

The Yard Dawgz have been struggling with attendance (and wins). This is most likely due to the Thunder and NBA owning that city right now. If they don't think they can improve this would be a very likely closure.

3. Utah Blaze

The Blaze have been struggling all season with attendance. If they can't get a deal to get into an arena in downtown this team could fold just because their current arena doesn't pull in a crowd.

4. Bossier-Shreveport

This is something that has been rumbled but no specifics at all. The ownership seems to support the team, even as they fail to make money. But with the increased costs in the AFL who knows how long that will last.

How I see the league looking next year:

South Division:

Alabama Vipers

Jacksonville Sharks

Tampa Bay Storm

Orlando Predators

Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings

Southwest Division (maybe renamed to Central):

Tulsa Talons

Dallas Desperados

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz

Kansas City Brigade

Iowa Barnstormers

Midwest Division

Milwaukee Iron

Chicago Rush

Cleveland Gladiators

Philadelphia Soul

Pittsburg

Western Division

Spokane Shock

Arizona Rattlers

Utah Blaze

San Jose Sabercats

Anaheim (Avengers)

Talons v. Vigilantes NFL Network game bumped

Today it was announced that the NFL Network would be exercising their Flex Scheduling to switch games on June 11, 2010. The original game was suppose to be the Tulsa Talons at the Dallas Vigilantes; a great matchup from week 2. In it's place the Tampa Bay Storm at Alabama Vipers game will be moved from Saturday to Friday night. This will be Alabama's only scheduled appearance on the NFL Network this season.

While congratulations are in order for the Vipers getting an NFL Network game, the decision sheds doubt on future games, including the only other Talons NFL Network appearance, week 18 at the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. With OKC struggling, the NFL Network may look for a more competitive game to fill that date.

However, it does open up the possibility of the NFL Network Flexing to the Tulsa Talons v. Spokane Shock game in early July. There is a large amount of rivalry between the Shock and Talons. In addition, it would be a matchup of (most likely) two division leaders.

What do you think of the NFL Flexing the Dallas game and future possibilities? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Live Coverage: OKC Yard Dawgz v. Tulsa Talons

YouTube Tuesday - May 18th, 2010

Seeing as we play Oklahoma City this week, here are some highlights from their Sunday game against Spokane:

Live Coverage of YardDawgz-Cleveland Game 4/17/2010

Today I will be coving live the OKC YardDawgz game against the Cleveland Gladiators:

• Ballgame. OKC wins in the surprise of the weekend, 63-50. about 11 hours ago
• Touchdown Gladiators. Extra is blocked! OKC leads 63-50 with 21.6 seconds to go. about 11 hours ago
• Wildcat TD by OKC. Extra is good. OKC leads 63-44 with 56 seconds to go. about 12 hours ago
• Onside kick fails. OKC ball. about 12 hours ago
• Cleveland answers is a long pass for a TD. 2pt conversion batted down. OKC leads 56-44 with 1:38 to go. about 12 hours ago
• TD yard dawgz. Extra is good. OKC leads 56-38 with 2:26 left to go in the half. about 12 hours ago
• Quick answer by the glads. Extra is good. OKC leads 49-38 with 8:48 to go. about 12 hours ago
• Long TD throw by the dawgz! Extra is good. OKC leads 49-31 with 10:50 in the game. about 12 hours ago
• Gladiators turnover on downs. However Fred Shaw is a little shaken up after the play... about 12 hours ago
• End of 3rd Quarter yard dawgz lead 42-31. about 12 hours ago
• What's worse than rounded endzones? Endzones without walls... about 12 hours ago
• Amazing scramble and catch for a Yard Dawgz TD. Extra is good. Dawgz lead 42-31. about 12 hours ago
• Dutton interception! Will the gladiators loose another game because of them? about 12 hours ago
• Yard Dawgs attemt onside and recover... However doesn't go 10 yards. Cleveland ball. about 12 hours ago
• After a long grady pass and some strong running Yard Dawgz TD to take their first lead of the game 35-31 with 11:18 to go in 3rd Quarter. about 12 hours ago
• End of the half field goal put glads up 31-28. Yard Dawgs set to receive in the second half. #afl about 13 hours ago
• Big man got hands. Lineman reception for a yard Dawgs TD. Extra is good. All tied at 28 with 30 seconds left in the half. about 13 hours ago
• TD glads. Extra good. Glads regain lead 28-21. about 13 hours ago
• Very chippy first half. Lots of flags... about 13 hours ago
• TD Yard Dawgz. Extra is good. Game all tied up at 21 with 2:17 to go in the half. about 13 hours ago
• Gladiators fumble near midfield. Yard dawgs recover and have a chance to tie it up. about 13 hours ago
• Rushing TD yard dawgs after some really good passes. Extra is good. Glads lead 21-14. about 13 hours ago
• TD gladiators. Extra is good. Glads lead 21-7 with 9:48 left in the half. Dutton has 3 TDs and 0 INTs let's see if he can keep it up. about 14 hours ago
• Gotta say I kinda like the yard dawgz multiple macots. Awkwardly works with the plural name and multiple personalities working as a team. about 14 hours ago
• Yard dawgz take the the kickoff to the house!!! Extra is good. Glads lead 14-7 with 12:09 to go in the half. about 14 hours ago
• TD gladiators. Extra is good. Glads lead 14-0 with 13:03 to go in the half. about 14 hours ago
• Yard dawgz turnover on downs midfield. End of 1st quarter glads lead 7-0. about 14 hours ago
• TD gladiators on crossing route. Extra is good. Glads lead 7-0. about 14 hours ago
• Gladiator sack and forced fumble. Glads ball at half field. about 14 hours ago
• 4th and goal from 17. Pass complete but short. Yard dawg ball at the 8. about 14 hours ago
• After a long drive glads nearly intercepted and then multiple flags push them back. about 14 hours ago
• Kickoff! Glads receive. about 14 hours ago
• Hmmm not sure I like this camera for ball games. May return it tomorrow and try for a better one...about 15 hours ago
• Wow I forgot how crappy the cox convention center is compared to modern arenas like the ford/bok centers... about 15 hours ago
• Parking and taking stuff to hotel room. Then crossing the street for some arena football! about 15 hours ago
• Heading to OKC for the YardDawgz/Gladiators AFL game. about 18 hours ago

follow me on Twitter