ArenaFan Chat: Ari Wolfe
Fran Stuchbury
Friday April 20, 2007
[SoulPhan71] : Ari do you feel the Storm may soon leave Tampa??? And if so where do you see them going?
Ari Wolfe: I certainly hope the Storm won't leave Tampa, it's a great market for arena football and
[rushfan4ever] : Ari, what do you think of the new Soul QB Juston Wood? Do you think he can lead the Soul or should they look for another qb in Graziani absence?
Ari Wolfe: I believe they need to look for another QB in Graz absence
Ari Wolfe: I am not convinced that Wood can be a starting QB in the league
[SoulGirlNJ] : Who do you think the soul should take on as QB
Ari Wolfe: Clint Stoerner will arrive in Philly tonight!
Ari Wolfe: I also think they need to consider Joe Hamilton
[rushfan4ever] : Ari,who do you think is the best team in the league and why?
Ari Wolfe: I feel that Dallas is the best team right now
Ari Wolfe: but I am very interested in the outcome of the Georgia/Dallas game.
Ari Wolfe: Chicago is really good as well
[dagodfather] : Hi, Ari. I'm a huge Soul fan. I think you are a great play-by-play guy approaching what is the best place to get a cheesesteak?
Ari Wolfe: Best cheesesteak - Dalasandros in Philly
[rushfan4ever] : Ari, what do you think of the way Sippio is playing right now? Do you think he has a shot to return to the NFL?
Ari Wolfe: I think Sippio is one of the top 3 receivers in the AFL, but I don't think he will get another chance in the NFL
[scottw] : Ari: I have long been a proponent of a rule change to give the defenses more of a chance. I would like to see the high man in motion eliminated. The game is already so offense-oriented that I don't think a receiver needs a 15 yard running head start. Is anyone looking at changing this rule so that no offensive player can be moving forward at the snap?
Ari Wolfe: I have not heard anything about a rule change concerning
Ari Wolfe: I have heard about letting the jack linebacker move freely in a possible rule change
[scottw] : THAT would lower scoring for sure.
[dagodfather] : I like that rule. I think the NFL should adopt it
[Rainbow Wig] : I would like that rule...especially since the rule is such box is such a judgement call to begin with.
[rushfan4ever] : Ari, Why do you think that there are more bad teams in the league this year? Do you think it has to do with the rule changes?
Ari Wolfe: I think the rule change has affected the lack of pArity in the AFL
Ari Wolfe: Some teams have adjusted much better to the new rules
[SoulPhan71] : Ari is the West the biggest victim. Ala Arizona and San Jose?
Ari Wolfe: I believe SJ has a chance to be an excellent team, I think you also have to give credit to Utah & LA
Ari Wolfe: but so far...Arizona and Las Vegas did not adjust to the new rules well
Ari Wolfe: Right now I have 5 contenders for the ArenaBowl.
Ari Wolfe: My 5 contenders are Dallas, Georgia, Philly, Chicago & Orlando
Ari Wolfe: Columbus is a sleeper team I believe
[Dawg1Man] : YEAH
[Dawg1Man] : Ari.. you got that right
[barlowjames1] : You don't have Utah in there.
Ari Wolfe: Utah needs to continue to win before I jump on their bandwagon
[I Believe] : What happened to Mike N Mike from ESPN, did not call the game last week and are not scheduled to for this coming week.
Ari Wolfe: Mike N Mike will be back
[SoulPhan71] : It was supposed to be a rotation of announcers I thought.
Ari Wolfe: Trey & Mark were always scheduled
[rushfan4ever] : Ari, what do you think of several former NFL players getting cut in the AFL?
Ari Wolfe: I believe that former NFL players often don't realize the difficult adjustment to playing in the indoor game
[rushfan4ever] : Ari, do you think the AFL will eventually expand to Europe and Asia?
Ari Wolfe: Moving AFL to Asia and Europe and hope they will be nice enough to take me along for the ride.
[SoulPhan71] : Ari do you see the mostly weeknight schedule for the Soul as very hurt full for attendance?
Ari Wolfe: I think the weekday schedule hurts attendance for Philly
[SoulPhan71] : Ari I can tell you I have NO return ticket holders in Section 207 this year, a TON were from season 1!
Ari Wolfe: I know you will represent your section well!
[Dawg1Man] : Ari.. I talked with Jim Renacci he tells me Jon Bon Jovi will probably not be at the Monday night game. Do you have any word on this?
Ari Wolfe: don't know if JBJ will be in Columbus
[barlowjames1] : Ari, what's your opinion on the Soul being featured in so many of the ESPN broadcasts? Does it help or hurt how people from outside see the league.
Ari Wolfe: It makes sense for ESPN to have Philly on all the time for ratings
[arenazone] : Ari you do NFL Europa games what is the future of the league do you still see the league around five years from now
[SoulPhan71] : Germany is down with NFL's version of the game.
Ari Wolfe: I have worked NFL Europe games for 5 years and every year they wonder if it will be back....I am grateful every year
[SoulPhan71] : Ari Germany is the only reason NFL Europe still happens is it not?
Ari Wolfe: Germany is the only country that loves American football
[SoulPhan71] : Why did the NFL pick LONDON for the Dolphins?
Ari Wolfe: People around the world are familiar with the Dolphins and the Giants
Ari Wolfe: I think they wanted teams for international recognition
[ladyallenfla] : Ari who do you thing will win the Dallas GA game?
Ari Wolfe: I think Georgia beats Dallas
[Dawg1Man] : Ari.. What is your opinion on drug testing in the AFL?
Ari Wolfe: If I don't have to pay for it so it's very easy for me to support it...but for the league it gets expensive
[ladyallenfla] : There is drug testing...the teams just don't want to pay for it so few actually test
[barlowjames1] : Ari, just curious but do you work for the Soul or the radio station 950?
Ari Wolfe: I work for the Soul...not the radio station
[arenazone] : Ari do you miss doing AFL games with the Albany/Indiana Firebirds
Ari Wolfe: Yes I miss doing the Firebird games!!
[Dawg1Man] : Ari.. tell me what you think about phillys QB situation!!!
[Dawg1Man] : Who will they bring in?
Ari Wolfe: They will bring in Clint Stoerner tonight
Ari Wolfe: and I believe that Joe Hamilton will get a chance in Phill
Ari Wolfe: I expect Clint will start on Monday night
Ari Wolfe: That's just my opinion
[barlowjames1] : Ari, of the two who would you like to see as the
Ari Wolfe: I would prefer to see Joe Hamilton but he is not available until next week
Ari Wolfe: I believe in Graziani and I fully expect him to lead the soul in the playoffs
[Rainbow Wig] : FRAN - THANKS FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. Ari, Thanks for joining us
Ari Wolfe: My pleasure
[arenazone] : Ari do you see the Soul resigning Tony after this season, this is the last year of his contact.
Ari Wolfe: I don't know if he will be back next season, but he will be back this season
[SoulPhan71] : Its a repeat theme in Philly this year. Two seasons in a row Soul lose momentum due to injury to QB
Ari Wolfe: I understand your frustration, but there are only about 6 top level QB's in the AFL and Graziani is one of them
Ari Wolfe: My guess is that tony will start against N.Orleans on May 21
[scottw] : Why did the Soul release Johnnie Harris?
Ari Wolfe: The soul released Johnnie because Brian Mance has emerged
[dagodfather] : If Graziani does not come back, I heard rumors he wants to go back to the west coast, who will the Soul bring in?
[Rainbow Wig] : We wouldn't want him in LA. We are happy with Sonny Cumbie
Ari Wolfe: The QB question for next year is already a big issue in my mind
[I Believe] : Ari, what do you think of Pauley? So far he seems to be a very good contributor
[SoulPhan71] : Yo Paulie!
Ari Wolfe: Pauley has been terrific but right now he has a nagging hamstring injury
Ari Wolfe: he almost did nothing against Dallas
[SoulGirlNJ] : Goooo Paulie
[SoulPhan71] : Ari do you think Munsey is too predictable with offensive play calls?
Ari Wolfe: Connell Maynor calls all the Offensive plays
Ari Wolfe: Philadelphia has a new WR named Scottie Vines
[dagodfather] : Where did Scottie come from?
Ari Wolfe: He played in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and missed all of last year with a groin injury but the team is excited about his potential
[I Believe] : Will Munsey stay on as coach?
Ari Wolfe: Munsey is signed thru next season and I think he is an excellent coach
[ladyallenfla] : He is a VERY good coach. He really knows what he is doing and is greatly respected by his players
[Dawg1Man] : Ari.. why is it that Columbus seems to have Philly's number? Columbus has won the last three matchups?
Ari Wolfe: Columbus has always had Philly's number
Ari Wolfe: Tough place to play in Columbus...and a great arena!!
[barlowjames1] : Ari, what do you think about not letting the coaches on the field this year. The radio headsets seem to be nothing but trouble.
Ari Wolfe: Communication with the coaches/players on the field is a work of progress
Ari Wolfe: It looks better w/o the coaches on the field
Ari Wolfe: but it does make communication more difficult
[Dawg1Man] : I like the coaches in the box..
[I Believe] : Ari, What is Keita's role with the team
Ari Wolfe: Keita is the team ambassador and does many community events for the Soul and is one of my all time favorite people
[I Believe] : Ari, is there a new project the Soul foundation is working on ?
Ari Wolfe: I don't know about any new projects and JBJ is always working on great projects
[dagodfather] : Ari, did the league ever fine JBJ on the famous finger and what did you think of it?
Ari Wolfe: I don't believe that JBJ got fined and at least the fans in Philly loved it
Ari Wolfe: I love JBJ's passion for the AFL
Ari Wolfe: Everyone on the Soul team needs to step it up big time if they expect to win in Columbus on Monday
Ari Wolfe: Nagy is a solid QB in the AFL and this is by far the best team Columbus has ever had
[Brooklyn 316] : Do you agree with all the camera time JBJ gets on T.V. I think he should be able to " flip out anytime he likes...but the cameras should be on the playing field.
Ari Wolfe: I agree that the camera should leave JBJ alone......he wants it to be about the players and not about him
[arenazone] : Ari do you get to goto any af2 games
Ari Wolfe: I plan on going to a Louisville Fire game this season
[rushfan4ever] : Ari,What do you think of Soul WR Steve Gonzalez? Do you think he has adjusted to the AFL coming from AF2? Do you think a lot of players will be coming up to the AFL from the AFL2 in the coming years?
Ari Wolfe: I think AF2 has been amazing for the AFL
Ari Wolfe: I think Gonzales has a chance to be a pretty good player but not a dominant player
[arenazone] : Will Clint Dolezel throw 1,000 TD passes
Ari Wolfe: Dolezel will probably throw 1200 TD passes for his career
[rushfan4ever] : Do you think ESPN2 is doing a good job with covering the AFL?
Ari Wolfe: I rarely see their coverage because they are on ESPN2 all the time
[SoulPhan71] : Ari have the soul considered changing their endzone layout to being more like Orlando and rounding corners? Or like NY and Dallas and opening it up
Ari Wolfe: I hate the rounded corner endzones
[rushfan4ever] : Ari, Do you think it is time for Marcum to retire from coaching and pursue other interests?
Ari Wolfe: That's not for me to decide, Marcum is a hall of famer..
Ari Wolfe: Before this session ends I want you to know how much I appreciate the loyal and passionate fans of the AFL and I work in every level of football but the AFL is by far my favorite
Ari Wolfe: I love the passion of the home fans
[SoulPhan71] : Ari do the Souls front office and coaching staff prefer to play Dallas at the Spectrum after last years ear bleeding game with no music in the 4th, just screaming
Ari Wolfe: I love playing games at the spectrum
[Brooklyn 316] : Cool Fran Radio at 10 EST ?
[I Believe] : June 1 - Dallas
[SoulGirlNJ] : I hate sticky floors
[rushfan4ever] : Ari,Thanks. I appreciate all you do for the AFL
Ari Wolfe: This is my 10th year in the AFL and I look forward to the next 10 years
Ari Wolfe: I have one championship ring from the Albany Firebirds and I hope to have a new ring in my collection in the next 10 years
[I Believe] : How come we don’t hear much from the other owner - Craig Spencer.
Ari Wolfe: Craig Spencer gets less media attention for obvious reason, JBJ is an international star
Ari Wolfe: Spencer is a great owner and part of a great organization in Philly
[Brooklyn 316] : Ari out of all the people you have met through the years which player or coach has made the biggest impression on you?
Ari Wolfe: 2 people - 1 coach, 1 player, Coach is Mike Dailey...who has been an incredible role model and mentor
Ari Wolfe: Player is Greg Hopkins who is the ideal player for the AFL and represented the league greatly during his career
[rushfan4ever] : Ari,what do you think of Coach Hohensee and his coaching style?
Ari Wolfe: I love Coach Ho ; he was the offensive coordinator my first year in Albany and taught me a great deal about the game
[SoulPhan71] : ARI do you see an affiliation system for AF2 like MLB and Affiliated ball coming? And is that possibly a reason the Pioneers from Wilkes-Barre played a Pre Season game in NY?
Ari Wolfe: I would like to see AF2 become more directly affiliated with AFL teams
[Dawg1Man] : Ari.. What happens to Chicago when Sippio goes out hurt?
Ari Wolfe: If Sippio goes down, it would be very difficult to replace him.....he is a very special player
[barlowjames1] : Ari, outside of broadcasting do you have other responsibilities with the Soul or the AFL in general.
Ari Wolfe: I will be doing broadcasting on Comcast for 2 arena games late in the season
[dagodfather] : Ari, how did you get started in the Arena league? Do you think you would do other sports in the future, like baseball
Ari Wolfe: I got my start in the arena league in Albany, the equipment manager for the Firebirds was also the equipment mgr for a div. 2 team I worked for
Ari Wolfe: I will continue to do football and basketball as long as I am hired to do it
Ari Wolfe: I absolutely love my job and feel extremely lucky doing something I love so much
[SoulPhan71] : Ari why didn't Comcast or CW 57 pick up non ESPN Soul games this year?
Ari Wolfe: Philadelphia no longer has a local tv contract for the Soul
[SoulPhan71] : Ari any reasons why?
Ari Wolfe: Because so many of their games are televised nationally
Ari Wolfe: they will only have 3 non-televised game this season
[rushfan4ever] : Ari,What do you think of the situation in Grand Rapids? Rumor is that they might move or fold.
Ari Wolfe: I think that several teams including Grand Rapids need to decide if they want to be a part of the AFL
[Brooklyn 316] : Ari ,we all know you have a great passion for radio by the way you broadcast but have you ever thought about T.V.
Ari Wolfe: I have done tv for many years including last year on the Outdoor Network
[ladyallenfla] : I enjoyed the OLN broadcasts...it's nice because you know what your talking about...often times the people calling the games don't
Ari Wolfe: Many thanks to all of you for your questions and I look forward to seeing you at an AFL game sometime in the future
Ari Wolfe: and I want to thank Fran and Nancy for tonight
Ari Wolfe: and please feel free to stop and say hello to me at a game
[Dawg1Man] : yes.. thanks everyone.. this was great..
Ari Wolfe: Take care everybody!!
Fran Stuchbury has been the host of ArenaZone since 2003. In 2002 he was the co-host of ArenaFan Radio with Tim Capper. While in school, Fran was the host of the original ArenaZone radio show on his college radio station, where he interviewed many league names such as Kurt Warner, league founder Jim Foster, and Commissioner David Baker. Fran lives in Southampton, Pennsylvania and works for the website SportsNetwork. Fran will be attending all the Philadelphia Soul home games this season and will be covering arena football for ArenaFan Radio and OurSportsCentral. He has followed the AFL since its first game back in 1987 and has been part of the media since 1998.