The King presents Arena Football the Season

[KingdomCome]

So the NFL is officially gone and done with. What a finish for Eli to pull off the miracle drive to dispose of the unbeaten Pats. I am going to take the time to dissect each Arena Football team to not only have a point of reference for myself but for anyone interested in some facts about these teams in Arena football. I know I am starting early but want to get a really good handle early on the free agency moves and aquisitions. I will start off with:

DALLAS DESPERADOS

Team went 15-1 during the regular season and a perfect 8-0 within their conference.

<TABLE id=stats_left cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=stats_left_page_head align=middle colSpan=4>Dallas Desperados Depth Chart</TD></TR> [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]<TR class=stats_left_head><TD colSpan=4>Offense</TD></TR><TR><TD>QB</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=436"]Clint Dolezel[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>OS</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3346"]Marcus Nash[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10496"]Anthony Armstrong[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>WR</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3419"]Will Pettis[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10389"]Andrae Thurman[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>WR</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10389"]Andrae Thurman[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=4848"]Bobby Perry[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>FB</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=2933"]Josh White[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10174"]Peter Lazare[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3183"]Duke Pettijohn[/URL]</TD></TR><TR><TD>G</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=5055"]Daleroy Stewart[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>C</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3461"]Jeff Chase[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=4793"]Terrance Dotsy[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>TE</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=4793"]Terrance Dotsy[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=2985"]Rickie Simpkins[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3988"]Cee Weatherington[/URL]</TD></TR><TR class=stats_left_head><TD colSpan=4>Defense</TD></TR><TR><TD>DS</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3423"]Jermaine Jones[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>DS</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3419"]Will Pettis[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>DB</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10328"]Bobby Keyes[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>LB</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=4848"]Bobby Perry[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10174"]Peter Lazare[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>LB</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3183"]Duke Pettijohn[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10174"]Peter Lazare[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=2933"]Josh White[/URL]</TD></TR><TR><TD>DE</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3988"]Cee Weatherington[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=4793"]Terrance Dotsy[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10244"]Jeremy Calahan[/URL]</TD></TR><TR><TD>NG</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=5055"]Daleroy Stewart[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>DE</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=2985"]Rickie Simpkins[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3183"]Duke Pettijohn[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR class=stats_left_head><TD colSpan=4>Special Teams</TD></TR><TR><TD>K</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>H</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>LS</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3183"]Duke Pettijohn[/URL]</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3988"]Cee Weatherington[/URL]</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>KR</TD><TD>[URL="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3419"]Will Pettis[/URL]</TD><TD><A href="http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=10389">Andrae Thurman</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Pretty much having the same roster, this team will be explosive with a veteran QB that has played with his OS for almost a decade. Their defense has been stout for years lead by Pettijohn and Pettis. Only thing that may put a wrinkle in their regular season, they play 9 games against 2007 playoff teams and opening 2008 against Georgia who is fierce on defense.

More to come......

 

[VoiceofReason101]

Great opening game. I'm a die hard Predator fan myself. You go to any games KC?

 

[AFLGuru]

Just curious where you're getting your depth chart info from. Josh Bush is most likely going to be the 3rd starting receiver this year for Dallas and though the starting lines are probably correct, the depth guys aren't there. THAT'S what's separating Dallas from the rest of the AFL this year. Adding Remy Hamilton as the kicker is also a huge offseason signing.

Die hard Preds fan, eh VoR? I've been going to Preds games since the very beginning and now I'm writing for the league and covering games from the excuse for media row they have in the Jungle.

 

[AFLGuru]

Never mind, I see you're getting your depth charts from ArenaFan... That's the site I write for. Trust me, those depth charts aren't nearly kept up to date.

Here's Dallas' roster to the best of my knowledge at this point, though obviously all of these damn guys aren't making the team.

http://www.arenafootball.com/SportS..._=3500&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2008&DB_OEM_ID=3500&KEY=

 

[VoiceofReason101]

Die hard Preds fan, eh VoR? I've been going to Preds games since the very beginning and now I'm writing for the league and covering games from the excuse for media row they have in the Jungle.

Been to only one game in my life and that was way back in '92 when Wagner was King. Recall the Miracle Minute?

How do you like our chances this year. Heard we got a decent lineman.

 

[AFLGuru]

Ah yes, the Miracle Minute... Wags against the old Detroit Drive. Wasn't at that game (didn't get full season tickets until '95), but considering I was like 10 at the time, remember it like it was yesterday.

You know Herkie Walls is coaching with the new af2 team in Daytona and Wags is (likely) gonna aid on his staff?

I've got very mixed feelings on Orlando this year. The Preds have a ton of potential, but Gruden is a horrid playcaller and Stafford is a lousy game manager. The OL is stocked this year if they stay healthy, the DL may struggle at times. Defense should be ok. McEntyre's back, but he's ancient now. Unfortunately, we're not as good as Tampa is this year...

... Tampa still sucks though

 

[VoiceofReason101]

Ah yes, the Miracle Minute... Wags against the old Detroit Drive. Wasn't at that game (didn't get full season tickets until '95), but considering I was like 10 at the time, remember it like it was yesterday.

You know Herkie Walls is coaching with the new af2 team in Daytona and Wags is (likely) gonna aid on his staff?

I've got very mixed feelings on Orlando this year. The Preds have a ton of potential, but Gruden is a horrid playcaller and Stafford is a lousy game manager. The OL is stocked this year if they stay healthy, the DL may struggle at times. Defense should be ok. McEntyre's back, but he's ancient now. Unfortunately, we're not as good as Tampa is this year...

... Tampa still sucks though

asking cause I think our streak is in jeopardy. I think you know what streak I mean. KC sorry if this irritates you. Didn't mean to hijack this at all.

 

[AFLGuru]

No, the streak isn't in jeopardy. There are only 3 teams that DON'T make the playoffs, and we're certainly better than 3 teams in the conference and if I had to guess, will be hosting a first round game as a 4 seed or so.

 

[KingdomCome]

Great opening game. I'm a die hard Predator fan myself. You go to any games KC?

Caught a few Rush games last year and caught a couple of Toronto games a few years back when they had a team. I like Chicago's chances with the recent signings. It will be a closer game if the Rush make it to the Arena Bowl this year with Bonner and Harrell added to the mix.

Guru: Thanks for the info. That definately shows their entire roster as of today but for those who really don't follow AFL, they will have no clue who is starting and who might or will not make the team. Although Arenafan is not real time as Arenafootball.com would be, this shows a good snapshot of the team's starting lineups.

:toast:

 

[VoiceofReason101]

Caught a few Rush games last year and caught a couple of Toronto games a few years back when they had a team. I like Chicago's chances with the recent signings. It will be a closer game if the Rush make it to the Arena Bowl this year with Bonner and Harrell added to the mix.

Guru: Thanks for the info. That definately shows their entire roster as of today but for those who really don't follow AFL, they will have no clue who is starting and who might or will not make the team. Although Arenafan is not real time as Arenafootball.com would be, this shows a good snapshot of the team's starting lineups.

:toast:

Love the Rush this year as well. I think they're gonna be a covering machine.

Thats awesome bro. Didn't know you were such a big fan of this league. I'll be around to exchange thoughts with you then.

 

[AFLGuru]

KC: I'm going to also take this opportunity to reconcile with you. I'll admit it... three, four, whatever number of months ago it was, I was convinced you were nothing but a going to be tout. Now that you've been around here long enough and seen so many MFs come through these parts, I'm sure you can tell why I would've believed that. I still believe you're a self-promoting jerk... but so am I

You've got a good head on your shoulders for analysis, and though I'll never approve of some guy betting "100 units" at a pop, the information is valuable, which makes you an asset to the forum, which makes you okay with me.

I'll be more than happy to share what I can this season. I can comfortably say that with this league, I am as die-hard of a fan, writer, and "investor" as it gets.

And just one more note on Dallas... even though we aren't privy to salary cap information, EVERYBODY is over the cap, and after training camp, there will be unexpected cuts to keep the team under that stupid number. Dallas cheats the cap because Dolezel is supposedly paid minimum wage as a QB and a huge salary to be a coordinator which will help them, but will probably result in a few of those guys on the depth chart you listed above to be released.

One last note about using ArenaFan... best writers on the internet for the league (there I go again with self-promotion...), but the up-keep is usually horrible, especially in the offseason. It's a totally volunteer-ran website, which really explains the above facts. We all love the game, but we all have real jobs in the real world that just don't allow us to put 24/7 into the website like we'd like.

I'm interested to see how the linesmakers are going to treat Chicago this year. My guess is that they're going to be incredibly overrated. Any given Shredrick Bonner dropback could be his last...

 

[KingdomCome]

KC: I'm going to also take this opportunity to reconcile with you. I'll admit it... three, four, whatever number of months ago it was, I was convinced you were nothing but a going to be tout. Now that you've been around here long enough and seen so many MFs come through these parts, I'm sure you can tell why I would've believed that. I still believe you're a self-promoting jerk... but so am I

You've got a good head on your shoulders for analysis, and though I'll never approve of some guy betting "100 units" at a pop, the information is valuable, which makes you an asset to the forum, which makes you okay with me.

I'll be more than happy to share what I can this season. I can comfortably say that with this league, I am as die-hard of a fan, writer, and "investor" as it gets.

And just one more note on Dallas... even though we aren't privy to salary cap information, EVERYBODY is over the cap, and after training camp, there will be unexpected cuts to keep the team under that stupid number. Dallas cheats the cap because Dolezel is supposedly paid minimum wage as a QB and a huge salary to be a coordinator which will help them, but will probably result in a few of those guys on the depth chart you listed above to be released.

One last note about using ArenaFan... best writers on the internet for the league (there I go again with self-promotion...), but the up-keep is usually horrible, especially in the offseason. It's a totally volunteer-ran website, which really explains the above facts. We all love the game, but we all have real jobs in the real world that just don't allow us to put 24/7 into the website like we'd like.

I'm interested to see how the linesmakers are going to treat Chicago this year. My guess is that they're going to be incredibly overrated. Any given Shredrick Bonner dropback could be his last...

Guru,

You know your shit and as well I value all input you have to say about the AFL. I only got into it with you because you were telling me what I intended on doing with my life. You are good in my books and we all make mistakes or false accusations in our lives once in a while. I guess my marketing background creates "promotion" whether it is self or for a company by human nature. I think working together we can do some real damage in this game. Look forward to sharing thoughts and killing these books together in Arena. :toast:

 

[geeze]

King,
It's just great to see you posting Arena!

When do the playable games begin? (pant, pant)

 

[AFLGuru]

February 29... 22 days and counting.

 

[styz19]

I can already feel my bankroll getting larger, cant wait to join along with you guys, it seems you know your stuff

 

[SportSavant]

AFL, are you posting your plays here this year?

 

[AFLGuru]

AFL, are you posting your plays here this year?

Yes and no SS...

I'll explain to get it all out there right now.

As I've said before, I write for the a website for the league. This year I'm doing a weekly column totally based on gambling. I'm going to pick every game against the spread and the total and go against an 8-ball. It's a more, "in jest" column than anything else, but my serious opinion will be posted. It's more of a challenge to myself than anything else. I'd hate for the "AFLGuru" to be beaten by an 8-ball hno:

With permission of the "powers that be" here, I'd like to link up the column every week, though I have a feeling I will be denied. ArenaFan runs on hits to the website. Without hits, we get no sponsors. All the writers are volunteers, but the staff members (of which I am NOT one) do get paid based on the bottom line (which is nowhere near enough for anybody to live on), and certain writers (which I AM one) will get small pittances here and there if the money allows. We're a growing website. If I can generate more hits to the website, awesome.

That being said, I'm not going to simply spurn Rx as I did in my dealings and faults in the past. It's not like this is a gambling website I'm writing for in ArenaFan, and no, I'm not getting PAID to post anywhere. I'm still going to partake in discussion and all of that. My suggestion this year is to more or less have a topic on each game and just break down the game together rather than just go out there and openly post picks. Teach a lot of people a lot of things about the game I love most.

Now that I've skirted the question for the past few paragraphs...

Yes, I'll still post some plays when they're warranted here, though I've scaled back QUITE a bit from years past.

 

[Touchdowntommy]

Thanks for the heads up, Guru. But I am not sure where your selections will be posted. Do you mean on AFLFan or here on the RXForum? Or do you have another site altogether?
I much enjoy the write ups on AFLFan and the talent does show (most of the time). I write for SPORTSPHAN.com covering the Brigade and it is a lot of fun. But that "free" seat on press row really makes you bear down on the details, etc.
Good luck with your ATS selections. You're either very brave, very smart, very lucky or crazy (that's a joke, no offense intended).

 

[AFLGuru]

TT: I read Sportsphan all the time... another really good website.

My column on ArenaFan is going to be written more in jest than anything else, but the bottom line selection in each game is the way I would lean for every game on the schedule. Some facts, but mostly in jest.

The hardcore facts of the game, I'll discuss here. Just because I'm going to take a side ATS and totals in every game certainly doesn't mean I'm betting that way. My actual investments will be discussed here.

 

[Budworth22]

TT: I read Sportsphan all the time... another really good website.

My column on ArenaFan is going to be written more in jest than anything else, but the bottom line selection in each game is the way I would lean for every game on the schedule. Some facts, but mostly in jest.

The hardcore facts of the game, I'll discuss here. Just because I'm going to take a side ATS and totals in every game certainly doesn't mean I'm betting that way. My actual investments will be discussed here.

Guru, almost baseball season. You ready?