The NBA has been able to achieve what few other sports have, and that is keeping themselves visible and newsworthy practically all year round. The fact that they have extended their playoffs into June has definitely helped. Only weeks after the NBA Finals concluded, there is the NBA Draft. After the NBA Draft there are summer leagues, and the crazy second season of the NBA (free agency signings and trades). This year they have another luxury, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, featuring the ‘Redeem Team.’ By the time you know it another season is practically rolling around.
The NFL, although much more anticipated I believe, seems to disappear from our minds for months in between seasons. Between the Super Bowl in February, the NFL Draft in April, and the select few players that feel it a necessity to be arrested for countless offenses, not much happens to fill the void between seasons. But wait, what about that one crazy indoor football league during spring and summer, the AFL? Although the AFL has been marketed much more the past few years, I’m not all too convinced that it is for the hard-core NFL fans.
Like every sport, the AFL has it’s pros and cons, I will present those and let the people decide what they think about the AFL.
Pro- The AFL football is magnificently designed with a gold base color and black ‘racing stripes’ to make you think that the quarterbacks throw it faster. Also, all balls that go into the stands are allowed to be kept by the fans.
Con- The AFL is a pass-happy league. It is much like the old Madden football video games where you would only pass the ball because the running backs were slower than the offensive lineman. The AFL’s all-time rushing leader is Michael Kelly, he rushed 1,617 yards in his 12 years in the league. That’s an average of 134 yards per year, an average achieved by some NFL players per game. Much like the old Madden video games, the scores are inflated, which becomes nauseating after a while.
Pro- The field goals are much more exciting with the post being half the size of a NFL post . The AFL posts also have nets on each side so a missed field goal can be rebounded and returned by the opposing team
Con- Nobody hardly makes field goals…
Pro- The field is surrounded by walls which provide exciting collisions and bring the fans at the games closer to the action.
Con- The walls make harder hits than the players.
Pro- No matter what your favorite team’s record is, they will most likely make the playoffs. Last year the Utah Blaze made the playoffs after posting a 6-10 record.
Con- The playoff race isn’t that exciting if everyone gets in. It’s almost as exciting as you favorite school in college football playing in the Whatcrappybowlwilltheycomeupwithnext.com Bowl.
If you are at all enticed to watch an AFL game now, you will have to wait until next year. The ’08 season ended with the Philadelphia Soul (which is partly owned by singer Jon Bon Jovi) defeated the San Jose Sabrecats (which are not owned by anyone cool). Give the AFL a try, you just might like it, or you just might think that it is nothing more than a NFL Development League, on crack.
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I agree with you that the AFL is nothing more than a NFL Development League on crack. I have been to one AFL game and almost died of boredom. Wait until the fall to watch football, that way you have both college and NFL; forget about the AFL!!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I agree, the AFL reminds me of hockey more than football, and hockey is boring till there is a fight, and then it still is boring…bring on the NFL or college football.