Innovating Without the Ironman
Adam Markowitz
Saturday October 7, 2006
Why is this so interesting? The Wranglers become the first team in the AFL to carry three true defensive backs, as Coggins is added to a secondary that already includes long-time DSs Damon Mason and Donvetis Franklin. Perhaps even more interesting is that the Wranglers used the old substitution rules so well that they list Deveron Harper as a DS, not a WR/DB. Harper was the 3rd defensive back in most situations last year for the Wranglers, but officially was playing WR/DB. Take the total receiving stats for these four players in their careers, add them together, and multiply them by the biggest number you can think of, and the numbers don’t change… zero catches for zero yards and zero touchdowns.
Give credit where credit is due. The Wranglers have already shown that they aren’t messing around in their defensive backfield. It will go without saying that Franklin, Mason, and Coggins will make up the hardest hitting trio of defensive backs in the AFL, and should any of them get injured or need a rest, Deveron Harper likely to prove to be the best 4th defensive back in the league. Don’t be surprised to see all 4 of them on the field at the same time with one of them playing jack linebacker. You can run a mean zone with 4 true DBs on the field at once.
However, the silver lining here is that there’s no possible way that any wide receiver is going to be play defensive back for even one play for the Wranglers any time in the near future. WRs Sedrick Robinson and Kevin Nickerson will no longer be worn out playing on the defensive end of the field, barring an injury crisis in Austin.
Whether you consider it fortunate or unfortunate, this was the goal of the AFL. In an open letter to the fans of the AFL that was posted on the Arena Football League’s message boards, founder of the AFL, Jim Foster had this to say: "It allows the best players to be on the field during any given situation in a game."
The Wranglers already have the shape of their team for ’07. With the roster they currently have, we know that QB John Fitzgerald, along with Nickerson and Robinson will be "offensive specialists," while Coggins, Mason, and Franklin will be "defensive specialists." If teams strive to have eight "offensive specialists," eight "defensive specialists," a kicker, and a quarterback, we know that Harper will fill one of the excess spots on the roster.
Meanwhile, over in Georgia, the Force are taking a different shape, as they have signed three quarterbacks, Chris Griesen, Ryan Vena, and James MacPherson, in a bundle of eight free agent signings, which was highlighted by DL Ernest Allen. Notice that I said "DL" instead of OL/DL. This is something that will take getting used to in the Arena game from now on, but will likely be something that becomes just as normal as saying "QB."
In the press conference following the eight signings, Force coach, Doug Plank made it clear what his plans were for Allen. "Allen is a legendary pass rusher in the AFL. His skills and abilities are well known around the league, and he provides additional leadership to our defense."
Though the quarterback situation in Georgia is still by no means clear, a quarterback will certainly join the receiving trio of Jamin Elliot, Chris Jackson, and Derek Lee and linemen Bruce McClure and Adam Metts as "offensive specialists," while the defensive line is set with Allen, Mike Sutton, and Jermaine Smith. FB Matt Huebner, who was also amongst the eight free agent signings earlier in the week, will surely only play offense for the Force. The other spots may or may not be filled with traditional "Ironman" players, but Georgia has made it clear that they are ready to take the step of having an offense and a defense.
So what does all of this really mean for the AFL? I must say that I am disappointed. Foster, again in his open letter stated, "Free substitution is not the end of Arena Football, as we know it, nor is it the end of Ironman football." If we were playing the popular card game, I must stop and call "BS" on the founder and all of the owners who think that Ironman football is still going to be alive and well.
In Austin and Georgia, we have two clearly defined cases of offensive and defensive players. Sure, you might see a lineman play one side of the ball in the 1st quarter and then turn around and have to play the other side of the ball later in the game due to an injury, or perhaps you will see a team rotate 4 receivers that also pose as jack linebackers, but the best of teams are going to have at least 6 or 7 players that only play offense and at least 6 or 7 players that only play defense. So Mr. Foster, with all due respect, can you or any of the other owners explain why Ironman football isn’t as good as dead? Are you considering players that play on special teams "Ironmen?" They aren’t called "Ironmen" in the NFL. For the most part, they’re called "rookies" or "guys that aren’t truly good enough to play offense or defense."
If the league continues awarding an Ironman of the Year, I’m going to puke. I believe that there is a dying breed of player in the AFL, the ones that will inevitably play both sides of the ball because they are just so good at what they do. Lawrence Samuels, Greg Hopkins, and Kevin Ingram come to mind immediately. But the handwriting is on the wall. The days of seeing 1500 yard receivers having 8 interceptions and 70 tackles are done. No longer will there be guys with 200 rushing yards and 7 sacks. However, in my opinion, aside from these select few players, Ironmen are going to be reduced to the equivalent of special teams in the NFL: Not good enough to play on offense or on defense. I’m sorry, but to see a guy win the Ironman of the Year Award who is simply "not good enough to play offense or defense" is a disgrace, and should NEVER be associated with the names Barry Wagner and Hunkie Cooper, the two greatest Ironmen ever to play the game.
As fans of the league, we need to get used to this, though. The AFL has taken a new direction in life, and the truth is that there is no more Ironman. We will be able to associate our favorite players with either offense or defense. Love it or hate it, the Force and the Wranglers have set themselves up exactly by the word of the law. Free substitutions means you can have offensive and defensive squads, not just offensive and defensive specialists. The earlier these teams establish who is playing what, the better off they will be.
But please, owners of the league… stop it. Stop lying to us. Perhaps it isn’t our place as fans to pass judgment on whether or not allowing free substitution is good for the league or not, but we deserve better than your feeble attempts to convince us that the Ironman is still alive and well. The Ironman is dead. Just come out and say it. So for you, the Ironmen of the AFL of old, we will forever miss you. Your 20 years in this world were terrific, but in the name of innovation, you were forced to an early grave. You’ll be sorely missed, but hopefully our paths will cross again another day.
R.I.P. Ironmen, September 13, 2006
Adam Markowitz is an accountant living in Orlando. Adam is an old school AFLer, having followed the AFL since 1991. He attended or covered well over 200 games, including 17 ArenaBowls. Adam worked for the Arena Football League for two years as a columnist and historian before retiring in 2017 when the 50-yard indoor war left the Sunshine State. Adam still muses about the AFL on ArenaFan from time to time, and you can follow him on Twitter @adammarkowitzea.