|
Post by Ishmeal Loves Kaseyhausen on Jun 15, 2023 21:24:54 GMT -5
We all knew the circus was coming to town. But he killed the f***ing team. Amazing.
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Jun 16, 2023 1:28:29 GMT -5
From back to back defending champion to out of the league.....all because of one dumbass. What an embarrassment for the great city of Albany.
At least least they still have the Firewolves (NLL) and the Patroons (TBT)
|
|
Spider2024
Patti Mayonnaise
Dedicated 6,666th post to Irontyger
I believe in Joe Hendry.
Posts: 39,236
|
Post by Spider2024 on Jun 16, 2023 4:38:12 GMT -5
Seriously, Elon Musk would be proud of Antonio Brown there.
|
|
jm
Dennis Stamp
Posts: 4,106
|
Post by jm on Jun 24, 2023 23:07:41 GMT -5
|
|
jm
Dennis Stamp
Posts: 4,106
|
Post by jm on Jun 25, 2023 6:50:11 GMT -5
|
|
Lupin the Third
Patti Mayonnaise
I'm sorry.....I love you. *boot to the head*--3rd most culpable in the jixing of NXT, D'oh!
Join the Dark Order....
Posts: 36,328
|
Post by Lupin the Third on Jul 17, 2023 10:18:17 GMT -5
And the IFL Playoffs are set!
In the East, the 1-seed Frisco Fighters host the 4-seed Quad City Steamwheelers. The 2-seed Sioux Falls Storm host the 3-seed Massachusetts Pirates.
In the West, the 1-seed Arizona Rattlers host the 4-seed and Defending Champs Northern Arizona Wranglers. The 2-seed Bay Area Panthers host the 3-seed Tucson Sugar Skulls.
|
|
MolotovMocktail
Grimlock
Home of the 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time 5-time Super Bowl Champion 49ers-and Wrestlemania 31
Posts: 13,969
|
Post by MolotovMocktail on Jul 17, 2023 20:45:01 GMT -5
Rumors are the Bay Area Panthers may move to Sacramento next season. Does this clear the way for the return of the SaberCats?
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Jul 18, 2023 11:55:03 GMT -5
|
|
MolotovMocktail
Grimlock
Home of the 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time 5-time Super Bowl Champion 49ers-and Wrestlemania 31
Posts: 13,969
|
Post by MolotovMocktail on Jul 19, 2023 0:02:44 GMT -5
Nothing screams big league like placing teams in *checks notes* Bakersfield and Lake Charles.
|
|
Lupin the Third
Patti Mayonnaise
I'm sorry.....I love you. *boot to the head*--3rd most culpable in the jixing of NXT, D'oh!
Join the Dark Order....
Posts: 36,328
|
Post by Lupin the Third on Jul 31, 2023 19:26:49 GMT -5
And thus, the 2023 Indoor Football League Season is drawing to a close. 15 years of indoor football action, 15 years of indoor football controversy, 15 years of indoor football drama. Let’s take a look at the teams this season.
Tulsa Oilers: I’ll be honest. I didn’t have much expectations of you. Tulsa was an expansion team that had some decent coaching and some decent talent, but like most expansion teams, you don’t really expect them to do much. And it was pretty much the expected result. Although Tulsa did have 7 losses that were 1 score or less, so they had games that if something went a different way, it might’ve been a different outcome. Something to build on for next season.
Iowa Barnstormers: This team has crashed and burned harder than Snoopy against the Red Baron. Iowa is a former shell of itself. Gone are the days of being a perennial playoff/championship contender. This team has gone back to the dark ages of the early to mid 2010’s. And the thing is, this team showed signs of being a cohesive unit. They dropped 73 and 80 points in games against Massachusetts and Quad City. They almost beat Sioux Falls late in the season. But the rest of the year, they were as threatening as that World War I Flying Ace so many times before.
Vegas Knighthawks: Another year, another meh season. Vegas had talent to be a good team this year. They were 4-4 going into midseason. Then the wheels fell off, and they proceeded to lose 6 of their last 7. So I don’t know what caused the team to derail like that, but it was a harsh downfall. Maybe they turn it around next year, but I have doubts.
Duke City Gladiators: This team has been mid ever since it left the CIF. Two straight seasons of .500 football, barely making the playoffs, and then proceeded to get bitch-slapped back into reality. It also didn’t help this year with the whole controversy of them using turf that one arena paid for, but then they played in a different arena. They were in playoff contention late in the year, but it didn’t amount to much. Maybe next year?
San Diego Strike Force: Considering how bad this team has been, this year was actually a positive. Sure, they only won six games this year, finishing with a 6-9 record, but when you double your win total from the last two seasons, that’s a plus. And the team seemed to be on sturdier ground than it has been. They also had 3 games where they were close to a win, but just came up short. Win those three games, and they may have been the loveable underdog going into the playoffs.
Green Bay Blizzard: Once again, a tale of “So close, yet so very far.” The Blizzard had a strong core group again this season. And like so many others, had losses of 1 score or less, that if the ball bounced the other way, they would be a playoff team again. So I can’t say anything bad about them. They’re ones to watch out for next season.
Quad City Steamwheelers: The Steamwheelers were looking to show why they were a team to be reckoned with again. The 2022 Eastern Conference Champions started out hot, nearly beating Arizona in Arizona, and proceeding to win 6 of the next 7, including 2 against archrival Sioux Falls. But then, something happened, and the team lost 4 of their last seven. One game was a bitch-slap against the lowly Barnstormers, where they got 80 dropped on them by Iowa. And then the last week, where they just had to beat Tulsa to host a playoff game. And they beat Tulsa pretty soundly early in the season. But for whatever reason, they dropped that game, and proceeded to fall from the potential 2-seed to a 4-seed, where they got stomped by Frisco in the playoffs in a revenge game. Still, not all bad. They should bounce back next season.
Tucson Sugar Skulls: Tucson showed a lot of good potential this season. They had another 9-win season, including a win at in-state rival Arizona, as well as a big win over Sioux Falls, putting their record against the Storm at 1-1. And they were, like others, close to more wins, as they had 5 losses within 1 score, one of them in double overtime. I like to think this is showing that the league has more parity than it did in seasons prior. But once again, win a few of those games, they may have been hosting a playoff game. Still, a good season for them. They’re one to look out for as well.
Massachusetts Pirates: Wow. Just, wow. This ship was sunk near the end of the season. Whether it be by the hubris of team ownership, the fans, or the fact that they lost 3 players and a coach with two games left, due to them fighting with fans in Arizona. An incident that was aired on local and national media, created a blackeye for the league, and one I like to call Brawl 4 All: Indoor Football Edition. And to put the cherry on top of the downfall, they go into Sioux Falls in the playoffs, dominate them for one half, leading 17-0 at halftime, then proceed to piss it down their leg, and lose by 3. I haven’t seen a downfall of hubris this hard since Lord Cutler Beckett. And speaking of hubris…..
Arizona Rattlers: The Lawsuit Curse continues. The Rattlers were looking shaky early on, with starting QB Drew Powell going down with an injury early in the season. Powell would return and lead the Rattlers back to the playoffs and the 1-seed in the West. However, their playoff woes would continue, as the Rattlers were bitch-slapped out of the playoffs. The Wranglers dominated the Rattlers on both sides of the ball, and while the Rattlers did make it close late, Powell fell apart, throwing five interceptions in the game. Which seems to be a trend when it comes to the playoffs for the once mighty Rattlers and Coach Guy.
Northern Arizona Wranglers: Honestly, I thought there might be a bit of a falloff after last season. It’s difficult to repeat as champs in the IFL now due to the parity. It also didn’t help that Rob Keefe, the defensive coordinator for the Wranglers last season, left to join the Bay Area Coaching Staff. But the Wranglers fought hard all season, and then rewarded us with eliminating the Arizona Rattlers in the playoffs for the second straight season. They came up just short of the championship in the West, but all in all, not a bad season for Head Coach Les Moss and the team. A fruit basket will be in the mail as gratitude for saving us from Rattlers hubris again.
Frisco Fighters: Okay, this is getting stupid. Three straight seasons in the Semis/Eastern Conference Championship, and three straight times, they have laid an egg. The last two years, they had a lead and control, only to completely choke it away. These guys make a bottle factory look jealous! They had a good coach in Billy Back, but he was let go due to “reasons.” They still had a decent staff and player roster, but it’s like nothing has been learnt. So until they learn how to get past the Conference Championship, they are the Chokers of the IFL.
Now that we’ve gotten “The Rest” out of the way, let’s look at our Final Two.
Sioux Falls Storm: Wow. I’m actually surprised. I didn’t expect to see you guys in this game. Don’t get me wrong, I’m elated that the Storm are here again. But let’s be honest. The last two seasons have not been kind to Sioux Falls. They went 6-7 in 2021, got routed in the playoffs against Arizona, and then lose the last game of 2022 against Frisco and miss the playoffs at 8-8. This year marked the return of quarterback Lorenzo Brown, who is probably one of the top 3 QBs in Storm history, but is starting to show his age. Also, Head Coach Kurtis Riggs announced late in the season that this would be his last year with the Storm, moving on from a legacy that he created. It would be only fitting for him to go out on top and win the Storm’s 12th Championship in team history. It almost didn’t happen. Both playoff games, they were down by 17 at the half, but somehow willed their way back to a win. Now they have one more to go. But they have one road block to go.
Bay Area Panthers: Honestly, I kinda saw this coming. The Panthers got a massive upgrade this season with coaching, as they picked up former Arena Bowl champion coach Darren Arbet. Also joining him is former United Bowl champion coach, Dixie Wooten, and AFL Champion and IFL Champion coach Rob Keefe. Although during the season, Arbet would have his name taken off the coaching page, have it return, and then disappear again. So we’re not quite sure what his status is. Nonetheless, the Panthers amassed a group of talented players, including former Storm QB Dalton Sneed via trade. With a 10-5 record, the Panthers turned around from a 1-15 record in 2022, and look to be the second straight team to go from Worst to First, following the Northern Arizona Wranglers.
FINAL PREDICTION JINX: As much as I think Bay Area is gonna continue the First to Worst, I feel the momentum is too much on the side of Sioux Falls. I think they’ll get Championship No. 12, and Kurtis Riggs will ride off into the sunset a champion.
|
|
MolotovMocktail
Grimlock
Home of the 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time 5-time Super Bowl Champion 49ers-and Wrestlemania 31
Posts: 13,969
|
Post by MolotovMocktail on Aug 5, 2023 17:59:23 GMT -5
Arbet may be the Bill Belichick of Arena Football.
|
|
Lupin the Third
Patti Mayonnaise
I'm sorry.....I love you. *boot to the head*--3rd most culpable in the jixing of NXT, D'oh!
Join the Dark Order....
Posts: 36,328
|
Post by Lupin the Third on Aug 6, 2023 7:52:22 GMT -5
And the Bay Area Panthers defeat the Sioux Falls Storm, 51-41, in what should be the final game for Storm HC Kurtis Riggs and Storm QB Lorenzo Brown.
Dalton Sneed wins the Championship MVP, a well deserved honor.
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Sept 28, 2023 22:29:06 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Oct 2, 2023 16:50:42 GMT -5
The Firebirds are back and they are joining the Arena Football League despite that initial announcement where they weren't part of the inaugural group.
|
|
MolotovMocktail
Grimlock
Home of the 5-time, 5-time, 5-time, 5-time 5-time Super Bowl Champion 49ers-and Wrestlemania 31
Posts: 13,969
|
Post by MolotovMocktail on Oct 3, 2023 0:13:43 GMT -5
Bay Area Panthers are officially staying in San Jose.
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Oct 6, 2023 15:55:58 GMT -5
So these are the teams confirmed for the new Arena Football League.
* Albany Firebirds * Billings Outlaws * Everett, Washington Team (hasn't been named yet) * Iowa Rampage * Orlando Predators * Rapid City Marshalls * Salina Liberty * Southwest Kansas Storm * West Texas Desert Hawks * Wichita Regulators
Kansas, you have 3 Arena teams which will be interesting.
|
|
Lupin the Third
Patti Mayonnaise
I'm sorry.....I love you. *boot to the head*--3rd most culpable in the jixing of NXT, D'oh!
Join the Dark Order....
Posts: 36,328
|
Post by Lupin the Third on Oct 24, 2023 19:58:07 GMT -5
IFL announced today that there will be a team in Indianapolis in 2025.
Massachusetts Pirates announced they are leaving Worcester. They haven't announced where they're going yet, though. Maybe to the Grand Line. Maybe to find the One Piece....
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Oct 25, 2023 21:00:52 GMT -5
Arena Football League has now added the Oregon Blackbears into the fold.
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodaux is one of the teams' owners. Team will play in Salem, Oregon
|
|
Lupin the Third
Patti Mayonnaise
I'm sorry.....I love you. *boot to the head*--3rd most culpable in the jixing of NXT, D'oh!
Join the Dark Order....
Posts: 36,328
|
Post by Lupin the Third on Oct 26, 2023 9:39:12 GMT -5
So these are the teams confirmed for the new Arena Football League. * Albany Firebirds * Billings Outlaws * Everett, Washington Team (hasn't been named yet) * Iowa Rampage * Orlando Predators * Rapid City Marshalls * Salina Liberty * Southwest Kansas Storm * West Texas Desert Hawks * Wichita Regulators Kansas, you have 3 Arena teams which will be interesting. 4 former CIF teams, one NAL team, another team coming off an NAL team corpse, a Kansas team that was an independent, and a team that was gonna be an AIF team, now an AFL team. This is gonna be a shitshow.
|
|
|
Post by Seth Drakin of Monster Crap on Oct 26, 2023 20:29:38 GMT -5
The Everett, Washington Team will be the Washington Wolfpack
|
|