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Wed, Aug 25 04"Arena Football2 League Finals are on and my Update!" Moose

Arena Football Report

New York has a new Coach - Weylan Harding the former 'D' Coordinator from the Columbus Destroyers. He was let go by new Coach Chris Spielman despite the six-ten Destroyers having the sixth best 'D' in the Arena League during the '04 season.

Af2 Conference Finals: American Conference:

Florida 41, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 31

National COnference:

Peoria 30, Tulsa 28

In ArenaCup V this Friday night, it'll be two familiar opponents as the Peoria Pirates will play at the Florida Firecats. Florida played at Peoria in '02 with the

Pirates winning at home.

Moose's Pick for Arena Cup V:

Florida Firecats 51, Peoria 42

Next week I'll have to get with the Firecats for some Arena Cup gear like a t-shirt and a Championship hat, 'cause that's my thang! Now, here's my picks for players of the year in Af2 ('AAA') FOR THE '04 season. And thanks to all the hometown warriors playing for $300 a game!: 

Offencive Player of the Year; Matt Burstein, Cape Fear Wildcats 
Defencive Player of the Year: J.R. Thomas, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
Special Teams Player of the Year:Takuya Furutani [Japan], Louisville Fire
OL/DL of the Year: James Landers, Peoria Pirates
Rookie of the Year: Shawn Withy-Allen, QB, Hawai'i
Front Office of the Year: Tie, Louisville Fire & Hawai'i Islanders
Coach of the Year: Les Moss, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton" Moose

Tues, Aug 10 04"Arena Football2 League Update!" Moose

Arena Football2 Arena Cup V Playoff Results / 2nd Round picks

Peoria 45, Oklahoma City 36
Florida 35, Memphis 33
Cape Fear 54, Birmingham 48

1st Round Byes:

Tennesee Valley Vipers, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, Bakersfield Blitz,
Tulsa Talons

2nd Round Picks:

Florida OVER Tenneseee Valley
Cape Fear OVER Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Louisville OVER Tulsa
Peoria OVER Bakersfield

Arena League Notes -Eagle Keys and Phil Simms Louisville still breathing after just getting by Jim Foster's Quad City Steamwheelers by 1 on last play. Barry Switzer and Horn Chen's 10 win, exciting expansion Oklahoma City knocked out in the first round by '02 Champ Peoria, who might squeeze back in the Cup this year with that defence. Defending Champ Tulsa will lose in round two - not enough good linemen. In the Arena League, Af2's Big Brother (pardon the moniker, conspiracy buffs!), Georgia got itself a new Offencive Coordinator in former Houston Coach, Steve Thonn (pronounced 'tawn'). 

A very good move for new Coach Doug Plank. Also, Arizona found a very good replacement for longtime Coach Danny White, in New York F/A Coach Todd Shell. Todd Coached San Jose it's first four years in the League after helping White win Arizona ArenaBowl VII, as 'D' Coordinator. Also in as Coach, of the Columbus Destroyers is Chris Spielman. He replaces ex-Arena/Af2 Coach Earl Bruce, who kicks himself upstairs as V.P of Operations/G.M. Both good moves. Old Earle know Arenaball and with Spielman, a novie except last year as Director of player personnel. 

In the new Canandian NAIFL, the Ottawa Omega have chosen George Brancato as H.Coach/G.M., an excellent move. Yes, George chews ice cubes on the sideline (no comment on that stereotype!) and can be moody, but when you are a startup league, you need credibility. George has much experience in the Ar.FL and CFL - as player and Coach. More to come...." Moose

Wed, Aug 4 04"Arena Football League Update!" Moose

Af2 Report By: Rich 'Moose' Salzer

The playoffs for the Pro Indoor 'AAA' Championship of the US (The only Footie Cup we 'Yanks' have) teams have been decided: The American Conference teams are: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Memphis, Cape Fear, Florida, Birmingham & Tennessee Valley The National Conference teams are: Eagle Keys and Phil Simms Louisville, the expansion Oklahoma City (with that eviable '(?)brain'trust of Horn Chen and pistol-packin' Barry Switzer), Quad City (Owned by ARENA Footie legend Jom Foster), Peoria, Defending Champ Tulsa and Bakersfield.

Week 16 Scores - Regular Season Ended:

Bakersfield 50, Hawai'i 38
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 44, Manchester 37
Central Valley 48, San Diego 34
Cape Fear 44, Albany 37
Memphis 65, Columbus 62
Tennessee Valley 76, Florida 60
Birmingham 50, Macon 31
Arkansas 60, Shreveport 36
Rio Grande Valley 47, Wichita 43
Peoria 50, Green Bay 33
Laredo 81, Tulsa 69

Arena League Notes - New Coach in Georgia -

The Georgia Force hired 'ole number 46, Doug Plank, former Defencive Coordinator of the Arizona Rattlers to be their third Coach in team history. Bob Kroenberg, former 'D' Coordiantor/Interim H.Coach will stay on as Ast. H.Coach/Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator. In Las Vegas young former two-time ArenaCup winner Frank Haege(Quad City Champs in '00 & '01) was told to take his shoes for a walk - permanently. The only REAL choice to be rumoured to replaced him will be disposed of Danny White who's been Mr. Arenaball in Arizona the last 13 years. The Nashvegas(forgive that slip!), er, ah Nashville Kats are back! The incredible shrinking (and toupeed) man, Bud Adams turned out for the Press Conference as Commish Dave Baker (twice as big as Bud!) announced the dormant team will be back in black in '05. More expansion news from both Arena and Af2 Leagues to come. Much to Ham- bone's chagrin!" Moose

Sat, July 24 04"Arena Football League Update!" Moose

 Folkes, two things happen after the Ar.FL season gets over with, following the ArenaBowl; (1) It's free agent time & (2) It's Af2 playoff time. The Green Bay Blizzard, 6-7-0 on the season are out for the playoffs for the second year in a row and suspended their first and second-srting QBs for the last game of the year due to poor attitutes. This could hurt both, especially Chris Griesen, who last NFL E season ('03) had split the pivot job of the Rhein Fire with ex-Hawai'i QB Nick Rolo-vich. Rolovich played holder and backup pivot for San Jose this spring and won an ArenaBowl ring with the Champ Sabercats. Griesen, up until three weeks ago was tearing it up for the Blizzard. He had spent three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2000-02) in the NFL and was trying to get back into an NFL camp. But the camp rosters are stocked now and the reality of rejection must have been too much for old 'G' to stand. 

As for Green Bay, they now turn to third QB Chris Sahm to finish the season with. Guys, even though you won't make the playoffs, try to get that 8-8-0 record! It'll make the off season that much easier to deal with. Good luck. One thing the Hawai'ian Islanders don't need is luck. Coach Call Lee's guys have depth! Shawn Withy-Allen started the season as QB number three with Hawai'i. But the big Kahuna has come up big lately with some outstanding performances. Last Thursday he was named League's Offencive player of the week after completing 24 of 33 passes (79.2%) for 326 yards, 4 TDs and rushing for 48 yards on only 5 carries and 1 more TD. Withy had three year vet (now holder) Darnell Arceneaux and ex-CFL'er Brian Ah Yat in front of him after four games. But with Ah Yat 28 & not getting any playing time, he retired. He's come back to back up Withy for the rest of the season since (now) backup D. Arceneaux, whos' little brother Anthony Arceneaux has picked up the WRing slcak due to star Ike White being in camp with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL, Darennl injured his right kneee off the bench at Central Valley in California in a game three weeks ago. 

Withy's season stats, which only include four starts are now: 66 of 101 for 65%, 884 yards, 13 passing TDs and 68 yards rushing and four more majors on the ground. I say the Saskatchewan Roughriders have got to get this guy off the Nego. List and into uniform before their season gets any worse (1-4-0 start). Former Norfolk Nighthawks are all over Af2 and the Arena League: Aaron Sparrow, QB is with the Wichita Stealth, albeit out hurt. FB/LB Darryl (My man) Richardson is playing for the surprising Okalhoma City Yard Dawgz. 

Three ex-Nighthawks are currently with the disastrous Grand Rapids Rampage: K Steve Scaldiferi, KR/OS Travis (killer "B') Burns and FB/LB Chris Avery. There are two linemen with the Manchester Wolves and two more ex- N'Hawks with Cape Fear and one DS with Florida. Ar.FL QB Free Agents List is now out. The League H.Office in Nuevo York e-mailed me the list henceforth: Here it Be: Arizona - Travis Cole, Austin - Bobby Pesavento, Carolina - Rickey Foggie & #3 pivot Charlie Peterson, Chicago - Chad Salisbury, the ex-Toronto Phantom, Columubus - Matt D'Orazio & Jay McDounagh, Los Angeles - Tony (the lefty) Graziani, Detroit - Billy Dicken. The best one of the bunch is of course Graziani but I would take D' Orazio as a reserve." Moose

Tues, July 20 04 "Arena 2 League Update" By: Rich Salzer

The most confident athlete I've ever seen Shawn Ke'ali'i Withy-Allen is absolutely tearing it up for the Hawai'i Islanders in Af2. His 24 of 33 for 326, 4 TDs, 5 carries for 48 yards for 1 TD performance got him Baby Ruth Player of the week honours and allowed Hawai'i to stop Louisville, they of Eagle Keys and Phil Simms, 62-59. I know Hawai'i is known for their great Defence but Withy completed his last 14 consecutive passes and that 19 yard TD run in the fourth was the stuff of legends, I'm told. Saskatchewan needs to get him off their Nego. List and get him into their bullpen when the Af2 season is over Aug 27th, 2004 with Arena Cup V." Moose

Wed, July 7 04 "Arena 2 League Update" By: Rich Salzer

Hawai'i 40, San Diego 37
Arkansas 67, Shreveport 61
Peoria 29, Quad City (IA.)13
Cape Fear 46, Memphis (MS.)35
Tulsa 60, Laredo (Tx.-Mex.) 40
Rio Grande Valley (Tx.) 49, Wichita 34
Oklahoma City 69, Central Valley (Ca.) 35

Notes - Shawn Withy-Allen got a double shot god given good fortune Saturday night in San Diego. Not only did he rush for the game winning TD but he threw four TDs also as Hawai'i outlasted the Kevin Feterik/Kane Claunch lead Riptide to take back first place in the National Conference West. See also our CFL section for the other good news Click here " Moose

Sat, July 3 "Moose's great photo's from his recent MYKwebWORLD and Total-CFL.com reporting in Hawaii!" Myk Aussie

 
"Wow! Looks like they party great at      "I'm telling you Arena footy is great" Moose
Arena footy in Hawaii!" Myk

     
"Now we're talking! See I've            "It seems Moose has his fav Cwoa already" Myk
taught Moose well" Myk

"Oh Moose you Champ! You took this one just for me right? Is that Jessica the Bengal Pro Bowl MYKwebTV star and Maxim Model?" Myk

          
"Myk I am here for the footy and          "I'm here to see the Islanders in AR2" Moose
keeping out of trouble." Moose

               
"And to see how Kevin FTroop is going             "Yes Myk she is my fav Cwoa" Moose
at QB for the San Diego Riptide" Moose

"NCAA Uni of Hawaii on MYKwebWORLD is massive. Can't wait! Hope you enjoyed my Arena footy reporting. Read below for the reports from this great trip" Moose

Mon, June 28 "San Jose Sabercats win the Arena Bowl. Moose's Massive Expert Arena Bowl XVIII report!" Myk Aussie

Arena Bowl XVIII: San Jose 69, Arizona 62 

Is Danny White's 13-run in Ariz. over?? Many questions now hang over the pall in Phoenix Arizona as the hometown Rattlers did the unthinkable on NBC yesterday - For the first time in 5 Arena Bowls, they lost the Championship at home. Will Jerry Colangleo, who made a lot of money on the Rattlers, keep the team or sell them to: (1) Coach White, G.M. Gene Nudo and an unnamed investor?, (2) To Wayne Gretzky and his Phoenix Coyotes group, or (3) Someone we don't know of yet? Stay Tuned. Anyway, White told NBC before the game yesterday, he's gone if the Rattlers didn't win the Arena Bowl. Despite his 132 wins in Arizona (including the playoffs) he has now lost a record three straight Arena Bowls. 

I don't even think Tim Marcum {Tampa Bay Storm Coach} or Jay Gruden {Orlando Predators Coach} could survive that. Possible scenarios include a franchise swap with the Dallas Desperados. One of Gretzky's guys has already talked to Desperados Coach Will McClay, who'd be a good choice. How about White returning to big 'D' to Coach for the man (Jerry Jones) who fired him, Tom Landry, Tex Schramm and Gil Brandt upon taking over the NFL Cowboys in '89? My Pick for M.V.P. of Arena Bowl XVIII is: Me and Scott Baxter's buddy from Norfolk St., WR/DB James Roe. Goat of the game for Arizona? Take your pick between the best overall player in Arena League history, LB-DB-WR-KR Hunkie Cooper, who probably should retire or Coach Danny White, with the two dumb on-side kicks and going for the two-point convert with the game so close; here's what I mean. White wastes an on-side kick attempt THEN ON THE NEXT drive goes for two, misses and HAS TO GO ON-SIDE after that. In Texas they'd call that 'showing your hand'. 

Shredrick Bonner, who also set a record by being the first QB in Arena Bowl history by losing his third straight Championship, should probably mull retirement too. Not that I don't like Shredrick and Hunkie - I do. Very much. But there's a message in there somewhere. Arena Bowl Records set or tied yesterday: Most points ever in the Arena Bowl; 131. Most points ever, either team - San Jose, 69 in a win, Arizona 62 in a loss. Tied; most catches and Tds by a WR, San Jose's James Roe (Scott Baxter got on me for forgetting him in my preview on Friday and he was right), 5 TDs by Roe this year and 5 by Grand Rapids Terrill Shaw in '01. Most consecutive losses by a team, 3, Arizona. Most consecutive losses by a Coach (Ariz.- White) and QB (Bonner-Ariz.). Most TDs by a QB, 8, Mark Grieb, San Jose (breaking Kurt Warner's 6)

Arena2 Results:

Hawai'i bye week - off
Albany 59, Green Bay 26
Manchester 49, Louisville 28 (Eagle keys and Phil Simms not happy this morning!)
Quad City 54, Arkansas 23
Cape Fear 57, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 49
Columbus (Ga.) 62, Oklahoma City 56
Macon 43, Florida 34
Memphis 54, Tennessee Valley 48
Birmingham 59, Rio Grande Valley 58
Bakersfield 57, San Diego 53

Af2 Notes...Former three-year Richmond QB Bob Bees, the Tulsa pivot was Offensive player of the week in the 'AAA' Indoor League. Last year Bees was the number two QB for the then Buffalo (now Columbus, Ohio) Destroyers." Moose

"Moose great job reporting over the past Arena Footy season here and on SportsRage with Gabriel Morency" Myk Aussie

Sat, June 26 "Moose's Massive Expert Arena Bowl XVIII preview!" Myk

Sunday, June 27th, 2004, 4 p.m., EST, NBC; Arena Bowl XVIII - Arizona Rattlers v. San Jose Sabercats. Moose's Pick: San Jose by 10. I was on Montreal's The Team 990, Sportsrage with the one and only Gabriel Morency. Below is my detailed Arena Bowl XVIII Preview: Arena Bowl XVIII - The World Championship of Indoor Pro Football Place: Glendale Arena, Phoenix Arizona.

Teams: Home Team - Arizona Rattlers - 5 Arena Bowl appearances. 2 wins. Visiting Team: San Jose Sabercats - 2 Arena Bowl appearances. 1 win.

Moose's Pick: San Jose by 10.

Coaches: Ariz.- Danny White, the only Coach and General Manager in Rattler's history. San Jose - Darren Arbet, 1988-89 Arena player. Has been in the League 5th longest tenure as player/Ast. Coach/or H.Coach. Intangibles: Two veteran Coaches, two veteran QBs, each with something to prove. In 1994 Ariz., lefty Shredrick (pronounced 'Sedric') Bonner threw 5 passes as he watched Paul Justin win the Rattlers the title. In 1997 v. the Tampa Bay Storm in the League Semi-Final playoff he broke his right ankle and missed the Arena Bowl as Ariz. won with rookie Donnie Davis over Kurt Warner (yes, THAT Kurt Warner!). The last two years Bonner has brought the Rattlers to the Arena Bowl and they've been blown out. Two years ago by the Sabercats. 

That year the Sabercats were lead by current Colorado Crush pivot John Dutton because Mark Grieb broke his clavicle (that's collar bone to you and I) in game thirteen in a loss to Arizona. Only San Jose and Orlando have gone through Arena seasons with only one loss. Grieb had to watch Dutton go nuts and win Arena Bowl M.V.P. San Jose's 52-14 rout of the Rattlers was the worst in League history. Last year the Storm blew away the Rattlers, 43-29 in a relatively low scoring affair. History does not look kindly on Ariz.'s chances this year either. Despite the Hoopla surrounding the Ariz's first seed at 11-5, there were also four other clubs that were 11-5 including San Jose. And the Sabercats have more depth, are younger and had a tougher schedule. I don't give the Rattlers much chance here. Can you say the Buffalo Bills of the Arena League?? Players to watch: Break out the Geritol, Rogaine and sex enhancement pills these guys are old! Especially for Arena League standards, where most players are gone by age 33.

Arizona relies on 36 yr. old OL/DL Mark Tucker, 35 yr. old QB Bonner, 35 yr. old LB/DB/WR/KR Hunkie Cooper, who's oldest son starts college this year, 32 WR/DB Randy Gatewood, 31 yr. old OL/DL Wendell Gainesand 31 yr. old FB/LB Bo Kelly, you get the idea. The Rattlers had exciting young speed burner Chris Horn, now with the K.C. Chiefs two years ago but he missed that '02 Arena Bowl with pulled ankle ligaments and the rout was on. Not that San Jose is THAT much younger with 31 yr. old pivot Grieb, 32 yr. old no.3 pivot Scott Wood, a member of the '02 Champ team, 34 yr. old Barry Wagner, who has really lost a step, maybe one-and-a-half, and five 30 yr. old players. The problem with Rattlers is San Jose is so well Coached with Arbet, O-Coordinator Terry Malley, also the G.M., Bill Church and the other Assistants that they rarely make mistakes. Plus their is the X-factor, Former two-time Ariz. Arena Bowl winner, OS-WR/DB Calvin Schenayder, who was dumped by the Rattlers when he defected to the that ex-X-FL League in '01. He didn't take his ouster lightly and has vowed revenge after spending a year on the San Diego Chargers practice squad in '02. Also keep an eye on #44 Keala Keana'aina fro Hawai'i's Big Island, where I just was on assignment cover the Af2 Hawai'ian Islanders. One of his relatives works at Volcanoes National Park. The Sabercats are loaded. 

A few turnovers early and this thing could get ugly like in '02 quickly! Bonner desperately wants to win HIS OWN Arena Bowl and so does Grieb. Behind Bonner is former Super Bowl Ram #3 pivot, Joe Germaine and behind Grieb is ex-Univ. of Hawai'i Warrior flamethrower Nick Rolovich. With Bonner & Grieb's mileage, either of these guys could be caller on. Stay tuned folkes (unless you're a fish)! Other Arena News...Casey Wasserman, 29 yr. old owner of the Los Angeles Avengers was on MSNBC with ex-(supposed comedian)/Monday Night Football pincushion for despicable Al Michaels, who just got lovely Lisa Guerrero fired, the rat fink!, Dennis Miller. Miller and Wasserman had a good conversation about Wasserman's interesting life (though I despise his left-wing political views as much as I hate the political right). 

Wasserman did a good job of talking and selling the Arena Bowl, and I do like him. But he made some serious errors in what he said. He said the Arena League is "an overnight success, after nineteen years." Actually Casey, it's eighteen years. He also said something about Commissioner Dave Baker that was bizarre. I think he got rattled when Miller said "Jewy Stewart" instead of Jimmy Stewart. Miller slipped but Wasserman is definitely Jewish and this may be a case of Miller thinking and saying something aloud he meant to just think. I still don't understand why Miller wants to keep that dumb looking gray goatee that makes him look five to ten years older than he is? Come on Dennis, you're free of awful Al Michaels. Look younger and put the Monday Night slop behind you and move on. I like Dennis Miller despite his left wing politics. Hey at least he likes Arenaball, the fastest growing sport on planet earth and didn't put it down like Jimmy Kimmel did the other night. Jimmy Kimmel and his crew of ("...Moose relax. I'll get on" Myk)  were supposed to have my good mate Mykaussie.com on his (edit) show but then it fell through." Moose

Thurs, June 24 "Moose's Arena 2 Footy update!

Arena Football 2 Update By: Rich Salzer

Scores from this past weekend:

San Diego 64, Hawai'i 59
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 69, Albany 43
Memphis 55, Manchester 54
Shreveport 66, Rio Grande Valley 59
Quad City 62, Green Bay 53
Cape Fear 57, Florida 49
Peoria 51, Louisville 50, O.T.
Columbus (GA.) 46, Macon 45
Tulsa 62, Wichita 34
Tennessee Valley 67, Birmingham 64
Oklahoma City 58, Laredo 39
Bakersfield 33, Central Valley 26

As for Hawai'i Reporters, I don't know what has gotten into Kalima Simpson but his ridiculous article on Former University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle, who I also happen to like (as does U / H Coach June Jones), just doesn't make much sense. Hey Kalani, are you Pro-Lingle or what? She's the worst Governor Hawai'i ever had and so what if Evan like Mazie Hirono? I did too. I said there'd be serious repercussions if the people of Hawai'i put the dingbat Lingle into office but more on the that in my radical-far-political-middle OTHER Newsletter. On to more important matters - like the Hawai'ian Islanders. Yes, they lost, 64-59 to Mouse Davis' San Diego Riptide last Saturday night at the Blaisdell Centre Arena. It wasn't a Total loss as I had a great time for the second week in a row at the Islanders V.I.P Business Bash, like before all Islander games. 

The Entertainment was first rate and the food once again very Ono. I got a chance to talk to Islanders Shawn Withy-Allen QB-H, Andy Ramos, C/NG and San Diego QB Kevin Feterik, the lefty who played the last three seasons in the CFL with Calgary, who I got to see practice three times last year in the end of September, with Mykaussie. San Diego's win came off a 2-yard bounce off the net - to former University of Hawai'i WR Dwight Carter, which would figure. Andy and I talked near the Islanders bench most of the game. He had previously played 44 consecutive games without injuries, an Islanders record. He partially tore the meniscus in his right knee.

He went yesterday for either surgery or more diagnostics or 'trimming'. He hopes to be back for the playoffs, which are still within reach of the three-way-tied for first place Islanders (along with Bakersfield and San Diego, who started the year 1-4) in the National Conference West Division, which they won last year. Highlights for the Islanders were another great performance for Darnell and Anthony Arceneaux, which has made it hard for my guy Withy to get much action at the pivot. That hasn't stopped several CFL clubs from inquiring about him. I put in the word to my buddy Bernel Vargo who is tight with the Sakatchewan brass. With Nealon Greene out, they'll need depth. Once again thanks to the Islanders for the Aloha spirit in HI." Moose