Wrapping It Up and Mailing It In...

2007-07-08T21:31:00.000-04:00

Let's face it: Game Over, even with 8 minutes left to play. Either Georgia or Columbus will get jazzed in New Orleans.

For more about Columbus, check out last night's Columbus-Dallas live blog.

What's On TV...

2007-07-08T21:27:00.000-04:00

Family Guy Prick Up Your Ears

Season 6, Episode 6

Episode Description

Originally Aired: November 19, 2006

Lois volunteers to teach a sex-ed class at the high school when she learns that Chris has some incorrect information on the subject.

Oh, Georgia just went up 58-33 on a Chris Jackson touchdown, and Jarrick Hillery recovered the ensuing kickoff inside the 5. Safe to say the Columbus-Georgia matchup is on for next week.

Hillery just ran the ball twice and scored again. Georgia 65, Philadelphia 33.

Carlos Martinez Missed His Fourth Extra Point...

2007-07-08T21:20:00.000-04:00

So if the Georgia Force holds on, who becomes the fifth kicker?

I guess Martinez is a tad better than Xavier Beitia, Keith Gispert, and Dan Burnett. But Doug Plank may put the Help Wanted sign out.

Boooooooooooooring

2007-07-08T21:12:00.000-04:00

Zzzzzzzzzz...

Fourth quarter begins, Georgia is up 45-26 to start the 4th quarter. I really want to watch Family Guy, but I'll miss a Tony Graziani-Larry Brackens touchdown. Now it's Georgia 45, Philadelphia 33.

How's this for a compromise - a Family Guy clip:

Idris Price With the Touchdown

2007-07-08T20:56:00.000-04:00

He's not Wes Ours, but Price's speed is as tough for the Force to stop as Ours' girth. Graziani's screen pass to Price makes it a 39-26 Force lead.

For more about Philadelphia All-Ironman FB-LB Price, click here.

Graziani Back Under Center, Bergeron Missing

2007-07-08T20:43:00.000-04:00

But will Philadelphia offensive coordinator Connell Maynor change things up? Looks so far like the Soul won't be shooting for seven on each pass.

And as soon as they get inside the five, Graziani is picked off by Georgia's Reggie Doster.

Jarrick Hillary is in for Force OS Troy Bergeron, who may be done for the day.

Bergeron can stay in the trainer's room. Greisen to Chris Jackson makes it a 39-19 game.

And Now Troy Bergeron...

2007-07-08T20:26:00.000-04:00

Down on the ground getting his right knee checked out. I can't tell if that happened making a cut on the kickoff return, or on the hit by Jerrian James. I guess we'll know more after halftime.

Georgia 33, Philadelphia 19

Another CLANG

2007-07-08T20:21:00.000-04:00

This one from Todd France after Tony Graziani his Jerrian James for a 14-yard touchdown. Looks like They'll go into the locker room with Georgia up 33-19.

Tony Graziani has already gone to the locker room to get that left (throwing) shoulder checked out.

Chris Greisen With The Bootleg

2007-07-08T20:07:00.000-04:00

And Georgia is up 33-13. That CLANG you just heard was Carlos Martinez's extra point attempt hitting the upright.

Greisen is another former NFL guy trying to hold on in pro football. Doug Plank and GM Jim Kubiak rolled the dice and traded away Matt Nagy and gave Greisen a shot, and it appears the gamble paid off.

So if Georgia holds on for the win, Nagy and his Columbus Destroyers have a shot of proving Plank and Kubiak wrong next week. Shouls make for some interesting story lines next week.

Ooh... Lights Out for Philly?

2007-07-08T19:54:00.000-04:00

Tony Graziani is back on his feet, but he was just laying on the Phillips Arena turf with a re-injured shoulder.

How huge is this to the Soul? They were 9-3 with Graziani at QB, 0-5 without.

Never mind, maybe. Leon Murray took one snap, and Graziani is back in the game. Wait, it's Murray again because they hadn't run a play. And Wes Ours is hurt. Oh, my, that looks like a knee...

Troy Bergeron's latest TD grab, a one-handed tip drill, gave Georgia a 27-13 lead, BTW...

Philly Catches A Break

2007-07-08T19:41:00.000-04:00

Eddie Moten just recovered a Chris Jackson fumble deep in Georgia territory. The Soul is down 20-10 and needed something to get it going.

But it looks like the Georgia defense may hold the Soul.

Yup, they did. The Soul settled for a 25-yard Todd France field goal.

Graziani to Ours

2007-07-08T19:22:00.000-04:00

In a game with alot of little people, why not get the ball in the hands of Wes Ours?

When you can dump the ball off to a 6-foot 300-lb. fullback, that's a disadvantage. Hamin Milligan just had to pin Ours to the wall to stop him.

Expect that play a few more times tonight. The first set up a Tony Graziani touchdown pass to Jerrian James, but Georgia answered with a Chris Greisen TD pass to Troy Bergeron.

Georgia leads 20-7.

Oh, This Doesn't Look Good...

2007-07-08T19:15:00.000-04:00

I don't think we're looking at a second-straight upset in the playoffs. Philadelphia can't do anything yet, and Georgia is up 14-0 on a Derek Lee touchdown.

And now Tony Garziani horribly overthrew Larry Brackens.

Oh well, we're only 4:30 into the game...

Talk About "Don't Blink"

2007-07-08T19:06:00.000-04:00

Peter Bergeron returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. So much for ESPN pre-empting a playoff game for self promotion, and so much for popping a pizza in the microwave!

Bergeron is an interesting story. He may be 16 years old. Actually he came to af2 in 2004 as a 19-year-old who had signed with Auburn, then left and went to Middle Tennessee State.

He made it to Georgia in 2005, then split for a shot at the NFL. It didn't work out for him, but he may have found his niche in Arena Football.

Coach of the Year vs. Future Coach of the Year

2007-07-08T18:58:00.000-04:00

Doug Plank led the Georgia Force to a 14-2 record and was recently named the AFL's coach of the year. I think some day Philadelphia Soul FB-LB Idris Price will be in that position.

Price has been an assistant coach the past two seasons at Connecticut high schools. It was his alma mater, Brien McMahon, in 2005, and Darien High School since.

Here's what his former high school coach and current Darien coach Rob Trifone has to say about Price:

"He hasn't changed much," Trifone said. "He was a great young man as a player, and as a coach, he's still a great man with the same enthusiasm and love for the game, and that's what makes him a good coach."

The Bronx, And Arena Fans, Is Burning...

2007-07-08T18:41:00.000-04:00

Come on!

Yeah, I want to watch The Bronx Is Burning tomorrow night. That Summer of 1977 was something to remember. I was only eight, and had no clue what The Son of Sam was all about. But I knew all about Reggie, Munson, Bucky, Guidry, Nettles... and their batting averages.

But if you're in Atlanta or Philadelphia, or a die-hard Arena Football League fan, you could care less. But ESPN it appears will pre-empt the playoff game to show On The Set: The Bronx Is Burning!

Darn you, ESPN. It's all about you, isn't it? I really didn't believe it until now.

So far I like what I see, but I WANT SOME FOOTBALL!!!

Live Blog: Philadelphia at Georgia

2007-07-08T18:24:00.000-04:00

Okay, you ready for Sunday dinner? If you're in Philly or Atlanta, I'm sure you'll be watching it in front of the television. You can't wait for this Futures Game to end, and could care less about the Making of The Bronx is Burning. You want your Arena Football!

Let's start with some previews.

Here's what the papers in the suburbs are saying about the Philadelphia Soul-Georgia Force divisional clash:

Cherry Hill Courier Post (is it true the city of Cherry Hill, NJ, was named after the Mall? Something I thought I read recently)
Access North Georgia (an article that I think is from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution It's not? OK).
phillyBURBS (really, the Philly Burbs!)
ArenaFan (and this writer, Matt Eichenblatt, uses his high school football photo for his headshot! I think that lends a lot of credibility to his article.)
And Ray Bentley is a great guy, so let's throw in his ArenaFootball.com preview.

DOWN GOES DALLAS!

2007-07-07T22:53:00.000-04:00

Final score, Columbus 66, Dallas 59. Who in their right mind would have seen that coming?

The biggest stat line: Dallas committed four turnovers to Columbus's one. That includes the two Pete Martinez kickoffs off the iron that resulted in a 14-point Destroyers swing.

Columbus will travel to either Philadelphia or Georgia next Saturday, with the winner of that game heading to New Orleans.

Who would have thought? Columbus hit a huge slide to end the regular season, so the Destroyers are bucking the "best momentum wins" trend.

And the Desperados? Come on now! Second straight year they get the number-one seed and bow out in its first playoff game.

Does Will McClay keep his job? I'm sure Jerry Jones isn't standing in the arena with an axe...

40 Seconds Left...

2007-07-07T22:49:00.000-04:00

...and it's getting interesting. Dolezel to Dialleo Burks makes it Columbus 66, Dallas 59. Merrill Hoge, that's a "pick" that Willis Marshall delivered to spring Nash. And it's not only an AFL term!

But the ensuing onside kick went right to Columbus, which did a great job managing the ball in the final minute last week against Tampa Bay.

Nagy Scores...

2007-07-07T22:30:00.001-04:00

...but is there enough time for the Desperados to come back?

Nagy's 1-yard plunge makes it a 59-45 Columbus lead.

Looks Like Doom For the Desperados

2007-07-07T22:21:00.000-04:00

If you're a Dallas Desperados fan, this is something you don't want to see. Not only is Columbus pulling the upset and shutting Dallas out in the second half, but Will Pettis looks like he seriously injured his knee.

Matt Nagy to Jason Shelley puts the Destroyers up 52-38.

Here's a few articles about Nagy:

7/7/2007...

2007-07-07T21:49:00.000-04:00

An unlucky day for every Dallas Desperado but Devin Wyman.

Will Pettis stopped at the 1-yard line, then Destroyer DS Jerald Brown forced Willis Marshall to fumble in the end zone, where B.J. Barre recovered for Columbus.

Talk about the momentum turning...

Wow! Peter Martinez's Big Day

2007-07-07T21:39:00.000-04:00

The kicker's dream - get the ball off the pipes and back down to the field, with hopes your team recovers. Peter Martinez does it twice in a row, and Columbus scores two touchdowns in the first minute of the third quarter.

First Josh Bush recovers in the end zone, then Brandon Hefflin does it to set up a Damien Groce touchdown.

And suddenly, the Destroyers have a 42-38 lead over Dallas.

Will Martinez make it three in a row? Stay tuned...

Toughest Part of Live Blogging...

2007-07-07T21:29:00.000-04:00

... is dealing with two bassets that are sensitive to fireworks. I got the poor things drugged up, but they still want to climb on me - not for protection, just seems like they go for higher ground.

Think I'm crazy? Here's what pet owners have to deal with when it's fireworks time.

When it's city/town fireworks, I understand. When it's the legal ones here in Connecticut, fine (if you're a neighbor though, please be considerate), when someone gets M-80s and blows stuff up, I don't get it.

What a Night (So Far) for Clint Dolezel...

2007-07-07T21:05:00.000-04:00

12-for-12 passing, 158 yards, and 5 touchdowns to give the Desperados a 35-21 lead.

No big deal for Dolezel, I'm sure. He has more than 800 in his career.

Meanwhile, counterpart Matt Nagy started the game 7-for-9, and is 2-for-9 since. Which Nagy will show up for the second half?

Will Pettis Coming to Life

2007-07-07T21:00:00.001-04:00

But he's giving credit to Jesus Christ.

Maybe the Good Lord did help Pettis grab a touchdown, then intercept Matt Nagy in the end zone on the ensuing drive.

If the Desperados score on this drive, it's over... I don't care how much time is left in the game.

I Now Pronounce You Man And Wife...

2007-07-07T20:50:00.000-04:00

Talk about crashing a wedding...

Devin Wyman, a starting Desperados offensive lineman, was married 6 HOURS BEFORE THE GAME!

ESPN with a great spot there. Bride Shelby Wyman was a bit nervous talking with Merrill Hoge and Mark Jones, but Devin is doing well with his live spot.

I can't imaging getting married on gameday. For that matter, choose a date when there's a possible playoff date.

But today is July 7, 2007, allegedly the luckiest day of the century. And the biggest one for weddings - ever.

Sick First Quarter Stat...

2007-07-07T20:42:00.001-04:00

Damien Groce, Columbus Destroyers receiver. Two catches, 87 yards, one touchdown.

Yes, Willis Marshall has two scores, but Groce's line converts into a 348-yard receiving performance. It won't happen though...

Willis Marshall Takes a Seat

2007-07-07T20:38:00.000-04:00

Hey, after that effort by Dallas Desperados receiver Willis Marshall, he has every right to jump in the stands and take a seat.

Marshall grabbed a pass from Dolezel and broke a few tackles inside the 10 yard line. With a defender on his legs, Marshall dove toward the end zone and barely broke the plane with the ball.

Dallas and Columbis are tied at 21, and that ends the first quarter...

Will Rabatin With the Play of the Game

2007-07-07T20:33:00.000-04:00

What set up David Saunders' 3-yard touchdown grab from Matt Nagy to put Columbus up 21-14? Easily, it had to be Will Rabatin's fumble recovery.

Will Pettis forces a Marcus Knight fumble, and the All-Rookie center gets to the outside and flops on the ball. The kid wasn't standing around - give him a lot of credit for finishing up the play.

Here's a quick piece about Rabatin, the first-year player from Louisville, announcing his selection to the All-Rookie team.

Quick Story About Marcus Nash

2007-07-07T20:19:00.000-04:00

Marcus Nash (who just hauled in a Clint Dolezel pass to tie things up at 7) was on his way to becoming one of the biggest wastes of talent in he history of pro football.

He had two Super Bowl rings as a backup in two NFL seasons, from teams that no longer wanted him.

I was at a New Jersey Gladiators back in tryout camp back in February 2002. An agent there told me Nash had tried out at a multi-team scouting combine a few weeks earlier, and that he was sent home. Apparently he thought he was too good for the Arena Football League and just went through the motions, was out of shape, and was just flat-out horrible.

He got into the league the next season with the Detroit Fury, and he's been a star in the league ever sense.

And needless to say the Desperados are lucky he's been activated from the injured list for today's game.

Two things I don't get...

2007-07-07T20:12:00.000-04:00

The whole linebacker-in-the-box thing. Come on! That's not football! Let the players play, for Pete's sake. That's a rule I've always hated.
ESPN having to explain the Rules of the Game. Okay, I understand some people may be watching their first AFL games. But most of us already know there's no punting, and the field in 50-yards long. Don't dummy it down for the rest of us. Are you planning on explaining the Home Run Derby rules on Monday night? (If the ball is hit over the wall, it's a home run! duh!)

Is There A Joey Galloway Factor?

2007-07-07T20:05:00.000-04:00

Oh, Joey Galloway! You're a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. You're a former Dallas Cowboy. And your a part owner of the Columbus Destroyers!

Is this why your team is getting the best of the Tampa Bay AFL franchise, and is up 7-0 on Dallas's?

Good job by ESPN getting a clip of Galloway's pre-game pep-talk to the Destroyers.

Too bad for Galloway his next AFL won't be Seattle!

Live Blog: Cloumbus vs. Dallas

2007-07-07T19:34:00.000-04:00

Welcome LIVE to 50 Yards' Columbus Destroyers-Dallas Desperados blog.

The game is starting in less than 20 minutes, so here's some quick previews:

Here is Calvin Watkins' preview for the Dallas Morning News, including key matchups.
And Watkins' Desperados' notebook.
And the game notes from the Destroyers.

The Desperados choked in the playoffs last season. I don't care if the team has won its last 12 home games, we all know anything is possible in the playoffs. It's the old cliche - throw the records out the window because its the postseason.

Look at the Destroyers - the team played its first playoff game last week and upset the Tampa Bay Storm on its own turf.

So if Matt Nagy has his game on again, we could see Columbus playing in Arena Bowl XXI.

More to come...

Colorado-San Jose Previews

2007-07-07T12:26:00.000-04:00

Just showing you all where to find links to today's Colorado-San Jose preview:

Game time is 3 p.m. EDT, and the game will be live on ESPN and Sirius Satellite Radio

Video: AFL Today's Wild Card Review

2007-07-07T12:03:00.000-04:00

As an Arena Football fan, I should have known about this guy Evan Money sooner, and I'm looking forward to checking our the afltoday.com Web site.

But let's start slow - here's his Wild Card wrap-up:

Arena Football Patent Running Out

2007-07-05T11:18:00.000-04:00

Are any AFL or af2 fans really worried that competitors will come in and steal the Arena Football thunder when the league's patent runs out Sept. 30?

Michael David Smith of Fanhouse brings up the possibility. But if John Elway really wants to field an indoor game as the NFL's pure minor league (why do I think he was taken out of context with that?), he could go out and start his own at any time.

Take the NIFL for example. I know Cleveland Gary is the commissioner now, but the league is as stable as Lindsay Lohan in a police evidence room. I swear, I called its offices a few years back when I ran a football Web site, and I think the commissioner's mom answered the phone. Others have tried to put their spin on indoor football, including the APFL, UIF, and the CIFL.

Yes, the patent will still run out, but the AFL is still the king of indoor football. It finally has stability and has carved a niche in certain markets. And if a team fails in one market, the league makes sure something is done to fix the problem.

Bravo, AFL!

2007-07-04T22:51:00.000-04:00

The league is not just using New Orleans as a playground for ArenaBowl XXI. They're building a playground.

The AFL will work with KaBOOM! to build a playground in a city that is still in serious rebuilding mode. According to a league press release, players including Tony Graziani, James Baron, and Chris Jackson will help out.

As big as the league wants to be, it's great to see it's still there for its fans.

Reggie Stephens Is Famouz

2007-07-04T22:08:00.000-04:00

Anyone in Nashville miss Reggie Stephens knocking down passes for the Kats?

As the hopeful Hip Hop star, he's making mad hits like Rod Carew. Beastie Boys, accept my apology.

According to this article on BallerStatus.com, Famouz (as he's known on the street) has a debut album, Ghetto Passport, slated for release on Sept. 25.

You can hear the former Arena Football League player/New York Giant on his MySpace Music page.

Say It Ain't So, John...

2007-07-02T10:56:00.000-04:00

Is this at all meant to be serious? The Arena Football League positioning itself to be the NFL's official Minor League?

If you that this Fanhouse post to be true, then there's about to be a civil war in the AFL.

Despite Michael David Smith's post, I don't see John Elway overthrowing David Baker as commissioner of the league and agreeing to make the AFL NFL-lite.

Yes, you can point to the rule changes regarding substitution as a sign of the Apocalypse (if you are an old-school fan). But Arena Football is a completely different game with different skill sets from the larger outdoor game. There's a reason quarterbacks such as Glenn Foley could not adapt to the small field, and it's because it's a faster-paced game played by more agile players.

There's also a reason many AFL players can't make it in the NFL. For every Kurt Warner who used the league as a stepping stone, there's a Sherdrick Bonner and an Aaron Garcia that decided that a career in the AFL is not all that bad.

Take it as a rumor. The NFL will start its own U.S.-based minor league system before it takes on a whole different game.

Speaking of Idris Price...

2007-07-01T21:32:00.001-04:00

Want to know what goes through All-Ironman FB-LB Idris Price's mind on gameday? Here's a video from PressPass Inc. WARNING - Show tunes are a part of his ritual.

And when you're done with that one, follow Idris Price through a Philadelphia Soul practice:

Friday Night Lights: Philly Advances With Win Over Orlando

2007-07-01T20:22:00.001-04:00

Idris Price had to be thrilled to beat his old team on Friday.

Price, who I also know as an assistant football coach at Darien (CT) High School, told me in April that he felt he was finally playing for a professional organization.

You can get that feeling, I guess, when you go from the Orlando Predators to the Philadelphia Soul. The Predators are one of the most successful franchises in league history, but Price says Jon Bon Jovi does everything first class.

Price, the All-Ironman Team member, and the Soul won its first-ever home playoff game, 41-26 over the Predators.

Philadelphia will travel and play the Georgia Force next, but you can read more about the Predators game at the Orlando Sentinel. And for some harsh criticism of Orlando head coach Jay Gruden, check out this ArenaFan piece by Adam Markowitz.

And here's the Philadelpha spin from ArenaFan's Jason Moyer.

Speaking of Colorado, Are the Austin Wranglers Dead?

2007-07-01T20:03:00.001-04:00

This little blurb in a Rocky Mountain Daily News blog caught my attention. And I quote:

Offensive coordinator Brian Partlow has left the team to accept the head coaching position with the Austin Wranglers. In doing so, Partlow, who signed a five-year contract, leaves one former Stanford University and Denver Broncos alum (Crush president John Elway) to play for another (Wranglers general manager Glyn Milburn).

Congratulations to Partlow, but is this a good move?

Just a few weeks ago, Colby White of The Daily Texan reported the Wranglers could be moving down a notch to af2, citing financial problems the team is facing. The Austin Statesman supports this rumor, which makes sense since the team's lease at Ewing Center is up, and team president Doug MacGregor is a partner with a bunch of af2 teams.

But why would you step down as the successful offensive coordinator of an AFL team to take the reigns of an af2 team? It doesn't add up. Sounds instead like the league may be ready to let Austin find a new home.

If anything happens to the Wranglers franchise though, it won't be until the AFL's owners meet the week of ArenaBowl XXI

Kansas City: Back In Black

2007-07-01T19:30:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Kansas City's prom night, and they broke out some fine new duds. But after its date didn't give the Brigade a good-night kiss, will the team burn its alternate uniforms?

Members of Chris Creamer's Sports Logo Community took notice of the Emperor's New Clothes, an all-black version of its current threads. What did they think? Click here to find out.

The new uniforms didn't work. The Colorado Crush did what a lot of coaches say in impossible - they beat the same team three times in one season. Colorado led for most of the game until Kenny McIntire's interception return for a touchdown tied at with 4:57 left in the game. But Crush quarterback John Dutton picked up the pieces and hit Damian Harrell for the winning score.

Here's what Irv Moss of The Denver Post had to write about the Crush's big win. Colorado will face San Jose in the next round of the playoffs this Saturday.

Click here for the Kansas City Star's take on the game.

Check the game book for more details about Colorado's 49-42 upset win over Kansas City.

Wrapping Up the Destroyers-Storm Game

2007-07-01T09:50:00.000-04:00

What's the difference between a win and a loss? Try one point, and about 9 feet, based on the Columbus Destroyers' 56-55 win over the Tampa Bay Storm yesterday.

Here's some insight (biased and unbiased) from yesterday's game, which was blogged live from this site:

Press releases:

Columbus Destroyers release

Tampa Bay release

News:

Storm ousted in ’game of inches'

Destroyers: First win in playoffs forged by key drive

Last-Second Loss Ends Storm's Season

Seth Marler's Kick Is...

2007-06-30T14:54:00.000-04:00

...wide left! From 49 yards out on the final play of the game, it hooked to the left.

So Columbus advances with the upset and will play Dallas on Saturday. That means Philadelphia will play at Georgia next Sunday.

And of course, what did I just find on the AFL Web site? A link to live stats.

Touchdown, Nagy, Martinez Kick Good

2007-06-30T14:49:00.000-04:00

And with 6.9 seconds left, the Destroyers take their first lead on the half, 56-55.

Great clock-killer one play earlier. Nagy took the snap, went into the fetal position at the one-inch line, and let the clock run to 10 before calling time out. Tampa Bay was conceding the score in hopes of getting the ball back with plenty of time to score.

10 Seconds Left

2007-06-30T14:48:00.000-04:00

3rd and an inch. Columbus scores, they win. Tampa Bay stops them, they win...

Hank Edwards

2007-06-30T14:37:00.000-04:00

Wow - the rookie receiver (who was in motion) just schooled Columbus's Jerald Brown and scored the go-ahead touchdown. But Tampa Bay's kicker, Seth Marler, missed the extra point after a delay of game penalty, making it a 55-49 game with 1:03 left to play.

Plenty of time for both teams if the Destroyers don't control the ball in the final minute. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Columbus gets two more possessions in. Or for that matter, if Tampa Bay tries an onside kick. Easier to let Columbus score quickly if you don't recover the kick than let the Destroyers let the clock run down.

Nagy to Saunders

2007-06-30T14:24:00.000-04:00

Third and goal for the Destroyers, and they try to run the option. Torrance Marshall comes right through the line and sacks Nagy.

Next play, Nagy fakes the handoff and finds former Storm receiver David Saunders alone in the endzone. And it's a 49-49 game midway through the 4th quarter.

Thoughts Are With Nyle Wiren

2007-06-30T14:21:00.000-04:00

When I went to the Arena Bowl in 2003, KC Rossman and Patrick Gunter introduced me to Nyle Wiren, a fullback and linebacker for the Tampa Bay Storm. I got to meet Wiren's parents, his wife, and was introduced as his "Mini Me"

He suffered a senseless tragedy last month. Nyle's wife, Caroline, died hours after giving birth to their first child, Clay. Here's a story from the Tampa Tribune. Caroline apparently bled out after childbirth. I can only imagine what Nyle is going through right now, becoming a father and losing his wife at the same time.

The Tampa Bay Storm and Palace Sports and Entertainment donate half of all full-priced ticket sales from the team's final three home games to a fund for Clay Wiren. Caroline had been a co-choreographer of the Storm's dance squad, and was the coach of the University of South Florida cheerleaders.

Waiting For The Highlights

2007-06-30T14:15:00.000-04:00

What a great catch by Terrill Shaw in the back of the end zone to put the Storm back up. Not only did he have to leap high for the Brett Dietz pass, he had to get both feet in bounds.

Needless to say, he did it. And with 10 minutes left to play, it's 49-42 Storm.

Dragons Fans Should Be Angry

2007-06-30T14:03:00.000-04:00

Matt Nagy just hooked up with Damien Groce for another touchdown. Those two and defending Defensive Player of the Year Jerald Brown all came up with the New York Dragons, who are at home this postseason. Former Director of Player Personnel Rory Vaccaro did a great job bringing young talent to Long Island. But Charlie Wang and company were just too cheap to keep these guys after a season or two.

End of three quarters: Tied at 42

Just when you think there isn't any more scoring...

2007-06-30T13:57:00.000-04:00

Tampa Bay takes a 42-35 lead with 3:01 left in the third quarter. Seth Marler puts in an extra point after Torrance Marshall's touchdown plunge. I guess I should pay more attention to the television!

The Many Faces of Tim Marcum...

2007-06-30T13:31:00.001-04:00

Happy

Angry

Frustrated

Confused

Frisky

Playful

Yeah, Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum rarely cracks a smile. I did see him smile when receiving the Foster Cup back in 2003, but it may have just been gas. After that, even at the post-ArenaBowl celebrations, I never saw his expression change.

Great guy to have a beer with, tough S.O.B. to interview after a win or a loss. He can be nasty and ornery at times, but everyone tells me he's an all-around good guy. This may get me banned from ever covering a Tampa Bay home game. He allegedly only wanted positive things written about his team. Write something negative and lose your credentials. See what I mean?

For more of Marcum, a person, you love, hate, or love to hate, click here, here (for some comments by "fans"), and here.

Halftime: Columbus 35, Tampa Bay 35

2007-06-30T13:16:00.000-04:00

Peter Martinez shanked a short field goal as the half expired. Will it come back to haunt the Columbus Destroyers?

Without live scoring updates on arenafootball.com, trying to keep up from home is a bit frustrating. ESPN has the boxscore, but things like time of possession aren't being updated well. But it shows that Columbus's Matt Nagy is pitching a near perfect game, 8-for-9 and 117 yards. But penalties could come back to haunt them. The Destroyers have 6, the Storm just 1.

So far B.J. Barre is my Ironman of the Game selection (though I don't have a say). An interception return for a touchdown and a rushing score on offense usually has the voters looking.

Tampa Bay Fans Among League's Best

2007-06-30T12:57:00.001-04:00

I've covered the New York Dragons, New Jersey Gladiators, New England Sea Wolves, New Haven Ninjas (af2) and Mohegan Wolves (af2) over my years as a freelancer. They've tried to build fan bases there, but they don't match up to those of the Tampa Bay Storm.

I was lucky enough to cover the ArenaBowl XVIII for an online outlet in 2003. The game was in Tampa, and was the last ArenaBowl played at a non-neutral site. And 21,000 + filled the St. Pete Times Forum (yes, in Tampa).

My hosts were two of the nicest people I've ever met - KC Rossman and Patrick Gunter. Both were writing and shooting for me, and were very well-connected with the team. Bring me anyone who has ever played for the Storm, and I'll guarantee they know them well, probably went to their home for dinner, went out fishing with them, etc.

They introduced me not just to the players and front office staff, but to the diehards. Unfortunately I don't remember all their names, but they were great people to talk football with, knowing every aspect of the game without coming across like know-it-alls. Some of them were regularly seen in sideline shots during televised games, so it was fun to match those fans with their 15-minutes of fame.

Last I knew there was just one fan club, the Storm Surge. And the day of their ArenaBowl win over the Arizona Rattlers, they were raising funds for sick kids. I was beyond impressed with these guys.

If the Storm wins today, I'll try to find some of my photos from then (I wasn't digital yet) and try to get someone to scan them. And if Tampa Bay wins out, and I get a chance to go to New Orleans, I'm going to need to get together with KC and Patrick.

A Little More About the Super Rookie

2007-06-30T12:43:00.000-04:00

Brett Dietz just capped the ensuing drive with a 2-yard sneak to tie the game at 21, so the kid is showing he can remain composed.

Dietz joined the Storm midway through the season after a slew of injuries, and went 7-1 as a starter. The QB position is the toughest of any to adapt to, say many AFL experts. But this kid from Hanover College (D-III from Indiana) did take his lumps with af2's Louisville Fire and some other minor league indoor football teams.

Here's a link to the Brett Dietz Web site, which features links to many clips about the rookie star.

Dietz May Be Human

2007-06-30T12:37:00.000-04:00

B.J. Barre may have just shown Tampa Bay fans that super rookie QB Brett Dietz is human after all.

ESPN's Mark Jones and Merril Hodge showed a clip of Barre promising Dietz he wasn't going to be burned anymore today. Barre made a diving interception of a Dietz pass to Terrill Shaw and brought it back 50 yards for a score.

Columbus is up 21-14. So how will Dietz respond?

It's 14-7...

2007-06-30T12:16:00.000-04:00

... Tampa Bay, but if I post after every touchdown, this blog is really going to stink. But I can't find the live stats for you, maybe the AFL has it buried somewhere on its Web site.

Either way, I think the best way to do a live blog is to add insight, not give you a play-by-play. So I'll give you what I can as the afternoon goes on.

If you don't have a TV in front of you, listen to the game. Here's the Columbus radio link, and here's Tampa Bay's.

Oh, and just before I hit "publish," Columbus scored again. See what I mean? This is a game that's faster than Wi-Fi.

Gameday: Tampa Bay Hosts Columbus

2007-06-30T11:25:00.000-04:00

Did I fall asleep and wake up four years later? The Columbus Destroyers are in the playoffs? The Earle Bruce era was a flop. So was the Chris Spielman regime. Doug Kay is definitely getting the job done if he could get that franchise into the Arena Football League playoffs (okay, so the team finished just 7-9 after an 8-8 season).

Tampa Bay is in the playoffs for the first time in two seasons. Welcome back! After an 0-5 start this season, they have to be considered a contender. Remember, in the AFL, it's not where you finish in the standings, but how you finish the regular season.

Nathan Boudreaux wrote a game preview for the AFL Website that can be found here. Click here for the Columbus Dispatch's view of today's game, or here for the St. Pete Times' preview. The Tampa Tribune writes about today's game here.