AFL pessimists don’t mirror AFL reality
Sean Chaffin
Wednesday December 20, 2006
Here's my takes on some of the recent events in the AFL.
NFL–Lite? – I would be happy to have my league associated with the world's most successful football league! The NFL adds credibility, marketing, DOLLARS, prestige, and business viability. The new NFL owners, such as Jerry Jones here in Dallas, have been good additions. Our previous AFL team here in Dallas didn't last. The league’s Detroit team didn’t last. Stability is great and teams were shutting down faster than the post office on a Friday afternoon. The "NFL-Lite" argument is absurd and needs to be given a rest.
ESPN again? – I would be happy to have my league associated with the world's most successful sports network! A Monday night game set in stone will be great. A new investor with deep pockets and a passion for sports. More promotion, more eyeballs seeing what the AFL is, and appointment TV. Hopefully, more Fantasy Football to get the average football fan taking notice of all teams in the league and hooked on the AFL. I would almost bet that the AFL will see a sharp rise in ratings and success with this new deal.
Commissioner Baker is selling out the game? – On the contrary, he has stabilized the game and expanded its scope and relevance. Teams now seem to be profitable as evidenced by the owners willing to invest (including ESPN). The man has been a driving force in the league’s success and other leagues would be willing to have him at the drop of a hat.
Neutral site ArenaBowl? – A sign of the league’s legitimacy if you asked me! Having a team host a single-game league championship always seemed a little bush league. The first two Super Bowls did not sell out either, but I bet the next ArenaBowl will. I am planning on making the 10-hour drive from Dallas this year I think.
No more video games this year? – What a nice surprise Monday's announcement of the Year 2 game was. I can't wait to get my copy. I think EA was overwhelmed with the success (more than half a million copies sold). Who would have thought that when I was 16 (15 years ago) watching Texans games at Reunion Arena with my dad? I would have loved to have had a Nintendo game of the 50-yard war. What a way to get younger fans hooked on the game!
There will only be one game per week now? – Does anyone really believe that? Regional coverage will come as will another national night of games on the NFL Network or another network. I can’t wait to see the league’s next move, but being part of the NFL Network’s schedule would be great. The network needs football programming –and the AFL delivers some great gridiron action. For fans of football like me, the more the better and year-round football will be great! My wife might disagree, but that wouldn’t be the first time.
The new rules will ruin the game? – What a ridiculous argument. The game of football has evolved through the century-plus it has been played in North America. You don’t see many teams still lining up in the Straight-T and running the sweep for four straight quarters. Rules change, philosophies and focuses change, penalties change. Hell, they even with 12 guys in Canada! Iron Man football will still exist, but free substitution frees up coaches and rosters. The game may evolve some, but that doesn’t mean it will be worse. My suggestion – free up the game more by removing the linebacker rules. A little defense and a running game might be nice. I am all for creating more strategic challenges on both sides of the ball.
Give the league a chance and see what happens. These new moves should be good for the league and ensure it is around for many years to come – growing and expanding. Fans, however, need to be realistic. The league is not on par with the NFL and other major sports leagues and that is OK. The league has found a nice following with fans who are passionate and care about its future. Rome wasn’t built in a day as they say, so reasonable expectations should rule the day. From where I stand, the league should be thrilled with their recent accomplishments.
Who would have thought the idea of a league playing football indoors would be entering its third decade of play? And as Baker notes to ESPN – it is stronger and more popular than ever.
Sean Chaffin is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an AFL, NFL, and fantasy football fan living in Rockwall, Texas. He owned The Rockwall Express newspaper for five years and worked for several other newspapers in the Dallas area. He is now an English as a Second Language teacher in the Dallas area.
