With the economy in the tanks, and sporting events being a luxury some might not be able to afford in the coming weeks and months, the Arena Football League might be shutting down it's doors. The AFL has already postponed their annual draft, as well as free agency, and the league has issued an official statement going forward. Via AFL.com....

“The AFL is working on long-term structural improvements which have unfortunately delayed some important events, such as the release of the 2009 schedule, the Dispersal Draft, and the beginning of free agency,” said Acting Commissioner ED POLICY. “We thank our fans for their enthusiasm for these events and ask them to be patient a little longer while we finalize our long-term improvements. All AFL teams are working towards winning ArenaBowl XXIII.”

While they obviously want to keep the gates open next season, it's looking more and more like they will be canceling the upcoming, and possibly future seasons. The Denver Post is even reporting that Arena Football could shut its doors if they don't receiving aid by December 19th. While there are still a few franchises that are claiming a solid financial standing, the league has been in trouble for most of the past year. Their deal with ESPN in 2006 was supposed to set them up for the future, but it seems as if even the "Leader" can't save them now.

League's official statement (Arena Football)

So with this emailed YouTube video I got a note that this Monday's Philly Soul-Dallas Desperados matchup is probably the biggest AFL game of the year. Apparently it's a big rivalry in the league, so much so that the Philly Soul cheerleaders are learning how to trash talk.....

Is that really even trash talking? I'm sure Dallas is going to be absolutely furious after viewing that egregious and unwarranted attack on their Football team!

(Thanks to SS for the vid)

Two great players enter the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY today. Tony Gwynn, who seemed to always put the ball in play when he was up to bat, and Cal Ripken, who was always there, every day, period.

After the jump, we'll read the reaction to this auspicious event through the words of newspaper columnists from San Diego, Baltimore, and Cooperstown itself.

In addition, we'll fit in some coverage of the other big event today: Arena Bowl, baby!!!!

The Cooperstown Crier gives us the welcome news that local residents aren't jaded by living in the shadow of the sport's ultimate destination. Some Cooperstown residents are going gaga because their favorite players are going in the Hall today. This, from Gwynn superfan Frank Vito:

This weekend, Vito hopes to get a chance to talk with Gwynn when he serves as a driver for the Hall of Fame. "I'm hoping maybe I get to pick him up at the airport in Albany, and have a chance to talk to him the whole way back," Vito said. "That would really be a dream come true."

And the HOF librarian is a former Baltimore resident:

"It kind of comes under the responsibilities of the job, which is kind of neat," Gates said. "I had fun speaking with Ripken about the longest game when he was with Rochester." Baseball's famous "Longest Game" between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox lasted a record 33 innings and took more than eight hours to complete. The game began on April 18, 1981, and the teams played until after 4 a.m. before the game was suspended and resumed on June 23 with Pawtucket winning, 3-2.

Ripken was 2-13 in the game, and, of course, played in all 33 innings.

Said Gates: "It's kind of fitting that the Iron man played in the longest game in baseball history."

Our very own weekend editor One More Dying Quail once worked at the HOF, so I'll bet he enjoys this weekend on a personal level as well.

Let's check the reaction in the San Diego Union-Tribune. Gwynn played 20 ultra-productive seasons as a Padre. He now coaches the San Diego State baseball team, and his son now plays for the Brewers. He still can't believe this is happening to him:

“We were talking at breakfast this morning,” Gwynn said. “Here's Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver, Carlton Fisk. For me, still, it's like 'Wow. Look at these guys here.' . . .

“We're in awe. We're still in awe. The fact that you're going to be inducted doesn't change that all that much.”

From the Baltimore Sun, Maryland's native son and most famous Oriole also goes into the hall today. Cal Ripken, The Iron Man, says he's awed by his induction, but it's still second on his list of career moments.

Ripken said the Hall induction falls behind the Orioles' 1983 championship in his list of career highlights. He spent his career putting the team first and said he has enjoyed stepping back and appreciating what he achieved.

"It endorses who you are as a player and what your contributions were," he said of entering the Hall. "And it doesn't take into consideration the team. Being elected to the Hall of Fame is about your career pretty much and your impact on the game."

It may rain in upstate NY today, pushing the ceremony back until Monday, but that won't dampen these guys' spirits any.

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And in even bigger news, today is Arena Bowl number something-or-other, and the San Jose Sabercats take on the Columbus Destroyers. For some people, this is life or death sports action. Here's a great primer on the sport from the Columbus Dispatch:

The team now has its own fight song, though.

Destroyers Battle Cry, written by Christian rappers Domonice Thompson and Clay Armstrong, made its debut this week.

The Columbus artists, who perform onstage as CeriOus, said they wrote the song about all of life's battles.

"It also translates into football," Thompson said.

And the San Jose Mercury News is watching for signs of a letdown in a team that unexpectedly lost in the American Conference championship game last year. They think this year's version has a not-so-secret weapon:

The Destroyers have gotten superb play from quarterback Matt Nagy, who is no stranger to the playoffs. Two years ago, he was the losing quarterback when Colorado beat Georgia in the ArenaBowl.

In a league in which defensive stops can be more unusual than a cool summer day in New Orleans, Nagy will probably have to play extremely well to keep pace today. SaberCats quarterback Mark Grieb has thrown 15 touchdowns and just one interception through two playoff games.

And if the MSM coverage of the event doesn't float your boat, I highly recommend that you check out It's Still Football. They've been blogging the Arena League all season long in hilarious fashion, and somehow wrangled press credentials for the big enchilada. They're taking reader suggestions for features and interviews, so hop over there and check them out.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend!

--Extra P.

Screw Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn going into the Hall. Forget Barry Bonds' 755th. No friends it's time for the event of the year. It's Arena Bowl Sunday...number twenty one!!!

(Side Note: How crazy is it that there have been 21 of these things?)

Coverage begins at 3pm on ABC this Sunday, and Mike and Mike are your host for this momentus occasion. But of course.....that's never enough. What else are you getting you ask?

• -Chats with players/coaches during ArenaBowl week;
• -Merril Hoge will host a live in-game chat, analyzing the game and answering online questions;
• -Scouts Inc. Insider breakdowns highlighting key individual match-ups;
• -Page 2 columnist Mary Buckheit will contribute video clips from Media Day, as well as an all-access look on game day;
• -Senior writer Elizabeth Merrill feature on how ArenaBowl XXI is helping New Orleans reemerge as a marquee sports event city since Katrina;
• -Daily stories from William Bendetson in New Orleans, including an in-depth look at how far the Arena Football League has come in its 21 years;
• -Q&As with Arena Football celebrity owners

That's awesome right! Right. But that's just the week of (so ultimately this has already happened even though I've seen know of it). What happens gameday is just plain amazing....

• -17 cameras covering the game, including:
  • -SkyCam -- overhead remote-controlled camera will provide unique aerial views;
  • -Roaming hand-held RF steadicam will provide crowd shots and specialty shots;
  • -Cameras inside locker-rooms during pre-game and halftime;
• -Players and coaches (three per team) wearing live microphones, offering in-game audio inside the huddle as plays are called and conversations with ESPN commentators;
• -Analysis from ESPN analyst Merril Hoge, who will host an ESPN.com chat throughout the game;
• -Possible booth visit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway, co-owner of the Columbus Destroyers.

Holy crap! A possible visit from Joey Galloway?!?!?!?!?! No f'ing way. And Merril Hoge stating that Columbus' QB Matt Nagy is the "most overrated QB in the Arena"? How can you NOT watch?!?!?

Don't Piss Off Bon Jovi (Deadspin)

(Source: ESPN)

ESPN is televising all 11 AFL Playoff games, and Mike and Mike have obviously been spread too thin (with all the cow-milking and spelling bee announcing)....so ESPN is giving them a break. They're adding a fourth team for the booth! YAY!!! (Who knew they had three??? Well I did, but I'm a freak...I'm talking about the public)....

Ex-NFL'er Ray Bentley will join Dave Pasch to create the most unnecessary team ever. Nothing against them, but 4 teams for 11 games? That's a little ridiculous. But I guess with Mike and Mike getting a break until one of the Conference Championship game...it's warranted.

Here's the schedule in case you care....

Fri., June 29 Orlando Predators at Philadelphia Soul
Dave Pasch and Ray Bentley ESPN 7:30 p.m.

Sat., June 30 Columbus Destroyers at Tampa Storm
Mark Jones and Merril Hoge ESPN 12 p.m.

Sat., June 30 Colorado Crush at Kansas City Brigade
Bob Wischusen and Mark Schlereth ESPN 3 p.m.

Mon., July 2 Utah Blaze at Los Angeles Avengers
Jones and Schlereth ESPN2 10 p.m.

Sat., July 7 TBD at San Jose SaberCats
Wischusen and Bentley ESPN 3 p.m.

Sat., July 7 TBD at Dallas Desperados
Jones and Hoge ESPN 8 p.m.

Sun., July 8 TBD at Georgia Force
Pasch and Bentley ESPN2 7 p.m.

Mon., July 9 TBD at Chicago Rush
Jones and Hoge ESPN2 8:30 p.m.

CONF CHAMPIONSHIP

Sat., July 14 Conference Championship
Wingo and Schlereth ESPN 12 p.m.

Sat., July 14 Conference Championship
Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic ESPN 3 p.m.

ARENABOWL

Sun., July 29 ArenaBowl XXI (New Orleans, La.)
Greenberg and Golic ESPN on ABC 3 p.m.

P.S.- It's going to be a sloooooooow news day today folks.
P.P.S.- Kansas City finally made the playoffs in something!
P.P.P.S- Does every AFL team make the playoffs?

Just a quick note (mainly for myself) before we get into the Regional Previews for March Madness. I watched the better part of the AFL "Monday Night" game on ESPN 2 last night....and you know what? It wasn't half bad.

• -The hitting seems extra vicious this year with people actually trying to pick others up and throw them over the boards.
• -The on-field mic is amazing, and the interviews with coaches and players are interesting.
• -Jaws and Merrill are actually pretty good together, and are insanely knowledgeable about the AFL.
• -You get to play the Berman-Jackson "From?" Game with just about every player (this is perhaps the best drinking game I've ever invented).

I only see a couple of flaws. 1) It's AFL Football.....it can get a little boring. 2) Jaws and Hoge are both analysts. Neither is a play-by-play guy.....that can get kind of annoying by the end of the game. 3) How many times can you ask a coach what he needs to do to get back in the game before it becomes annoying?

I say twice. Jaws asked Jon Gruden's brother (coach of Orlando) this about 14 times. The on-field interviews are neat, but don't over do it. Two each half (one with a player, one with the coach) should suffice.

Oh and this quote by Jaws made me laugh....."Orlando is the Green Bay of the Arena Football League."

On second thought......maybe I didn't like it as much as I thought I did.

So I was all set to bring you all some hot steamy AFL Announcing action today. Complete with videos of Mike and Mike talking about their wives, and Merrill Hoge proclaiming that offensive player of the year Damien Harrell was "worthless". ("Sure Harrell threw for over 10,000 yards, buuuut his throwing motion is still suspect")

Unfortunately (or fortunately) when my Tivo let me know that it was time to change channels to ABC......something entirely different came up. What you ask could preempt the AFL opener in the Greater DC Metro Area????

Karate Kid II.

I wish I was making this up because I was rather giddy about watching Mike and Mike do the commentary, but could I really complain? (I submit that I could not!) I decided to cut my losses and switch to the UCONN-GTOWN game where I enjoyed James Brown use the term "Freelanceability".

In the end....am I really sorry that I missed cutting edge entertainment like this?



2006 Intro found at KSK.

So I know you are getting back from a three day weekend, and you want to get back into the swing of things. But there's something that's just killing you. Who are the announcers for ESPN's coverage of the upcoming Arena Football League season? Well that's what I'm here for.....drumroll please......

Your Backup Teams:

Trey Wingo-Mark Schlereth
Ron Jaworski-Merril Hoge

I'm stoked for Jaworski finally getting a shot, and Wingo-Schelereth isn't bad, but Merril Hoge?!?!?! Shoot me in the face. I wonder which 40,000 Yard, 82 TD QB he'll make fun of this season?

Your #1 Team, and Announcers of Arena Bowl XXII!!!!!!

Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic














Umm what did you just say? Wait....really??? Yep it's true (and awkward).

Greenberg and Golic, who will take their “Mike & Mike in the Morning” radio show on the road each Monday and Tuesday when they work games, will call ArenaBowl XXI.

God I don't even know how to feel about this. On one hand I will be throwing stuff at the TV, but at least I'll be able to watch some football after the SuperBowl is over. I need an AFL team though.....can someone make suggestions? I'm thinking the Colorado Crush because they just signed Peter Warrick and/or Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul.

Quick story. I worked for the Philadelphia Charge of the WUSA when JBJ first purchased the Soul. I sat in the back of a meeting that he was involved in and he was a dick. He was yelling at people for not meeting deadlines and embarrassing people by having them stand in front of the group. It was awkward, and I can understand him wanting a smooth start to the inaugural season, but Jon.....it's the Arena League.....calm down.