Arena Football

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

Does/has anybody watched or followed Arena Football extensively ? I never went to a Destroyers game, and Houston doesn't have a team. But every year, during the off season, just because I miss football, and nothing better is on, I watch about half a  game. I'm always disappointed in the fact that there's zero defense, and it basically become a game of hot potato to see who scores last before the clock ends. I'm curious if there's some nuance that I'm missing, or is it truly a terrible excuse for football.

[BuffaloTX]

[PromoTheRobot]

The fact the league shrank to just 5 teams is telling. People prefer real football. Unfortunately real football at a minor level is cost prohibitive.

Edited May 18, 2018 by PromoTheRobot

[Drunken Pygmy Goat]

44 minutes ago, BuffaloTX said:

 

I think you have the wrong thread...

 

When I'm Jonesing for football, I watch CFL. The rules May be different, but its "sufficient" for me, and serves as a reminder that the NFL season is right around the corner.

 

Arena football just isn't my thing, but I'll attend a game just for the party atmosphere.

Edited May 17, 2018 by Drunken Pygmy Goat

[ddaryl]

1 hour ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

 and it basically become a game of hot potato to see who scores last before the clock ends. I

 

You just described the NBA. Wait till there is 4 minutes left and then watch the game because that is all that matters

Edited May 17, 2018 by ddaryl

[BuffaloHokie13]

We had season tickets to the inaugural season of the Destroyers. It was fun, but it was very different from NFL football.

[davefan66]

Had seasons for a few years, loved going to the games.  Browning Nagle was our QB at the time.  

 

Certainly not NFL football.  Not defensive on purpose, wanted high scoring, long throws, acrobatic catches(falling over the boards), no run game.  Would still have my seasons today if they stuck around.  

 

On on a side note, thankfully mark hamister didn’t get the Sabres they way he drove the destroyers out of town.  Had great attendance for an OK team.

Edited May 17, 2018 by davefan66

[Albany,n.y.]

I used to go to the old Albany Firebirds games during the years 1990 to 2000, I had season tickets for a year or 2 during the Bills Super Bowl years. I went to all 4 Super Bowls & my next game would be an Arena game.  I saw the Buffalo Destroyers play twice in Albany. I have no intention of seeing any Albany Empire games.  The league is currently a shell of its former self.

 

My 1st Arena game was in 6/23/1988 in Madison Square Garden the NY Knights were playing.  I was in NYC that day on business & stayed to watch the Arenaball game out of curiosity.  The best part of that game was there was an old guy with a young wife sitting in front of a bunch of college age guys.  The college age guys were cursing & the old guy told them to stop cursing in front of his wife.  Things got heated and the younger guys finally had enough of some old guy trying to look tough in front of his trophy wife & they cursed at him and then threw their beer at him & left.  He went chasing after them, which was kind of ridiculous since they were younger & stronger than him & he eventually returned to his seat.  I have no idea if he ever caught up with them, but since he came back & wasn't bleeding, my guess is he didn't.  What I also remember about that day was it was the day Billy Martin got fired for the last time as Yankee manager.  When the Knights were doing poorly,  I yelled out they should fire their coach & hire Billy Martin, since he had just become available.

[jr1]

there's too many indoor leagues, there should only be 1 indoor league so it can have a TV deal

[Soda Popinski]

The Orlando Predators used to be an awesome night back in the 90s.  Every girl on they put on the jumbotron went Girls Gone Wild, beer was cheap, and the T shirt cannon fired off about every 5 minutes.   

 

Football, no there wasn't much of that, even with Jay Gruden as the HC.   

[Buffalo Barbarian]

2 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Does/has anybody watched or followed Arena Football extensively ? I never went to a Destroyers game, and Houston doesn't have a team. But every year, during the off season, just because I miss football, and nothing better is on, I watch about half a  game. I'm always disappointed in the fact that there's zero defense, and it basically become a game of hot potato to see who scores last before the clock ends. I'm curious if there's some nuance that I'm missing, or is it truly a terrible excuse for football.

 

No it's that bad

 

But a lot of the college teams have their spring games on TV, so there is that.

 

 

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

Honestly, I think if when the XFL comes back, they bring the gimmicks to a minimum, and don't pull a USFL and attempt to compete with the NFL, they'll be successful for this exact reason.

[JinxedBill1]

I used to go to the Predators games in Orlando.  Good time and high scoring. I don't live there anymore and Gruden is in Washington now.  Once upon a time he was coaching the Preds. 

Edited May 17, 2018 by JinxedBill1

[leh-nerd skin-erd]

3 hours ago, Albany,n.y. said:

I used to go to the old Albany Firebirds games during the years 1990 to 2000, I had season tickets for a year or 2 during the Bills Super Bowl years. I went to all 4 Super Bowls & my next game would be an Arena game.  I saw the Buffalo Destroyers play twice in Albany. I have no intention of seeing any Albany Empire games.  The league is currently a shell of its former self.

 

My 1st Arena game was in 6/23/1988 in Madison Square Garden the NY Knights were playing.  I was in NYC that day on business & stayed to watch the Arenaball game out of curiosity.  The best part of that game was there was an old guy with a young wife sitting in front of a bunch of college age guys.  The college age guys were cursing & the old guy told them to stop cursing in front of his wife.  Things got heated and the younger guys finally had enough of some old guy trying to look tough in front of his trophy wife & they cursed at him and then threw their beer at him & left.  He went chasing after them, which was kind of ridiculous since they were younger & stronger than him & he eventually returned to his seat.  I have no idea if he ever caught up with them, but since he came back & wasn't bleeding, my guess is he didn't.  What I also remember about that day was it was the day Billy Martin got fired for the last time as Yankee manager.  When the Knights were doing poorly,  I yelled out they should fire their coach & hire Billy Martin, since he had just become available.

Oh, don't you worry, I caught up with the whippersnappers and gave them the business but good.  They didn't know whether to sh=t or go blind when I got done with 'em.  

 

Reminds me of a story when I was in Europe in '44...

 

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

3 hours ago, davefan66 said:

Had seasons for a few years, loved going to the games.  Browning Nagle was our QB at the time.  

 

Certainly not NFL football.  Not defensive on purpose, wanted high scoring, long throws, acrobatic catches(falling over the boards), no run game.  Would still have my seasons today if they stuck around.  

 

On on a side note, thankfully mark hamister didn’t get the Sabres they way he drove the destroyers out of town.  Had great attendance for an OK team.

From what I understand they basically sold out the entire 100 section of HSBC, or whatever tf they call that place now.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

5 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Does/has anybody watched or followed Arena Football extensively ? I never went to a Destroyers game, and Houston doesn't have a team. But every year, during the off season, just because I miss football, and nothing better is on, I watch about half a  game. I'm always disappointed in the fact that there's zero defense, and it basically become a game of hot potato to see who scores last before the clock ends. I'm curious if there's some nuance that I'm missing, or is it truly a terrible excuse for football.

 

 

...great venue for your boy The Cutlet to try out......PERFECT fit for a terrible excuse for football (PLAYER)..................

[Not at the table Karlos]

I miss the destroyers. The games were fun if you sat near the bench you could talk to the players during the game. I think Fred McNair (Steve's brother) was buffalo's QB at the time and they had a really good kick returner/ offensive specialist. 

[billsherd]

never seen that but heard of LFL.

[The Crowing Rooster]

Not a fan of condensed football.  

[Irv]

5 hours ago, ddaryl said:

 

You just described the NBA. Wait till there is 4 minutes left and then watch the game because that is all that matters

 

YOU ARE DESCRIBING NASCAR

[cba fan]

5 hours ago, ddaryl said:

 

You just described the NBA. Wait till there is 4 minutes left and then watch the game because that is all that matters

???

 

1q   2q  3q  4q  T

21   29  29  26  105

26   38  31  32  127

 

1    2    3     4      T

39  22  23  21    105

12  23  25   22    82

 

when were these two games decided/won? 1st or 2nd half?

6 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Does/has anybody watched or followed Arena Football extensively ? I never went to a Destroyers game, and Houston doesn't have a team. But every year, during the off season, just because I miss football, and nothing better is on, I watch about half a  game. I'm always disappointed in the fact that there's zero defense, and it basically become a game of hot potato to see who scores last before the clock ends. I'm curious if there's some nuance that I'm missing, or is it truly a terrible excuse for football.

There are two different types of games. Arena Football and Indoor Football.

 

Arena has the nets and circus goofiness. Indoor Football has no nets.

Indoor is closer to real football as they actually run the ball. Arena not so much.

 

Both are a far cry from real football but fill a niche in spring summer programming for arenas that would otherwise be empty and is loads better than indoor soccor. I would go if team was near by.

[reddogblitz]

8 hours ago, ddaryl said:

 

You just described the NBA. Wait till there is 4 minutes left and then watch the game because that is all that matters

 

But make sure to Tivo it so you can fast forward through the commercials and all the time outs.

[ddaryl]

13 hours ago, cba fan said:

???

 

1q   2q  3q  4q  T

21   29  29  26  105

26   38  31  32  127

 

1    2    3     4      T

39  22  23  21    105

12  23  25   22    82

 

when were these two games decided/won? 1st or 2nd half?

There are two different types of games. Arena Football and Indoor Football.

 

Arena has the nets and circus goofiness. Indoor Football has no nets.

Indoor is closer to real football as they actually run the ball. Arena not so much.

 

Both are a far cry from real football but fill a niche in spring summer programming for arenas that would otherwise be empty and is loads better than indoor soccor. I would go if team was near by.

 

 

LMAO.. Basketball is boring.. That was the point. All you ever have to do is tune not the last few minutes.

 

 

13 hours ago, Irv said:

 

YOU ARE DESCRIBING NASCAR

 

 

Nascar is go straight turn left snore fest.. There no reason to watch it at all let alone the last 4 minutes.. Same with indy care.. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Gugny]

19 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

The fact the league shrank to just 5 teams is telling. People prefer real football. Unfortunately real football at a minor level is cost prohibitive.

 

It's actually only four teams, one of which - the Albany Empire - is in its inaugural season.

 

If I lived closer to Albany, I'd go to games.  But, to me, it's frankly not worth the 100 miles round-trip plus the price of tickets, food, etc.

 

The game sounds interesting.  The local rock station I listen to in the morning has "AFL 101," every Friday, during which they have someone from the team (usually the HC or the GM) to "quiz" one of the DJs on the rules and nuances of the game.  I think it sounds pretty cool.  A little gimmicky, but still cool.

[cba fan]

4 hours ago, ddaryl said:

 

 

LMAO.. Basketball is boring.. That was the point. All you ever have to do is tune not the last few minutes.

 

 

 

 

Nascar is go straight turn left snore fest.. There no reason to watch it at all let alone the last 4 minutes.. Same with indy care.. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

What sport is boring and what sport is interesting is completely subjective.

 

Euros hate baseball and love soccor. They think baseball is boring.

Americans hate soccor and love baseball. Americans are bored out of their heads watching nothing happen for 3 hours than a lucky weird bounce goal decides some team is much better than the other.

Americans hate Hockey overall and love pro Golf and NFL. (based on tv ratings only) hockey too have too many lucky goals deciding games.

 

Basketball has some of the highest ratings in tv sports and is by far the #1 participant sport in US history. Not even that close.

Nothing wrong with you finding it boring. To each his own but you are in the minority about basketball was my point., and the statements about NBA games mostly decided in last few minutes is dead wrong, was my main point.

Edited May 18, 2018 by cba fan

[ddaryl]

1 hour ago, cba fan said:

What sport is boring and what sport is interesting is completely subjective.

 

Euros hate baseball and love soccor. They think baseball is boring.

Americans hate soccor and love baseball. Americans are bored out of their heads watching nothing happen for 3 hours than a lucky weird bounce goal decides some team is much better than the other.

Americans hate Hockey overall and love pro Golf and NFL. (based on tv ratings only) hockey too have too many lucky goals deciding games.

 

Basketball has some of the highest ratings in tv sports and is by far the #1 participant sport in US history. Not even that close.

Nothing wrong with you finding it boring. To each his own but you are in the minority about basketball was my point., and the statements about NBA games mostly decided in last few minutes is dead wrong, was my main point.

 

 

I laid my opinion out. I didnt' really care for a major retort trying to justify the FACT that watching the NBA sucks.

 

I am the majority me and me alone.....

 

[cba fan]

Man D. Stop being a dick.

 

We were just having a nice friendly debate. Which sport sucks is complete individual opinion. You never laid out your opinion about why it sucks. I was curious why you thought it sucked. No need to know now. No need to respond more. Peace out.

Edited May 18, 2018 by cba fan

[DC Tom]

On 5/17/2018 at 12:31 PM, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Does/has anybody watched or followed Arena Football extensively ? I never went to a Destroyers game, and Houston doesn't have a team. But every year, during the off season, just because I miss football, and nothing better is on, I watch about half a  game. I'm always disappointed in the fact that there's zero defense, and it basically become a game of hot potato to see who scores last before the clock ends. I'm curious if there's some nuance that I'm missing, or is it truly a terrible excuse for football.

 

I hear Jay Cutler is joining the Arena League...

[wagon127]

The thing is, when it comes to sports, its hard to get into a sport unless it has the potential to get you angry. If your team isn't playing in the game, you have to believe the fan base cares enough about their team, that if something happened that didn't go their way, they would get angry. Arena football doesn't have that. Its just a game for people that weren't good enough for the NFL or CFL. You might like baseball, but how many Bison's games would you watch on TV. Its fun to go, but there is no way it will ever feel like the real thing. I need a story line behind the game.

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

1 minute ago, wagon127 said:

The thing is, when it comes to sports, its hard to get into a sport unless it has the potential to get you angry. If your team isn't playing in the game, you have to believe the fan base cares enough about their team, that if something happened that didn't go their way, they would get angry. Arena football doesn't have that. Its just a game for people that weren't good enough for the NFL or CFL. You might like baseball, but how many Bison's games would you watch on TV. Its fun to go, but there is no way it will ever feel like the real thing. I need a story line behind the game.

When I lived back home, I actually subscribed to the $20 a year subscription to stream live Bisons games. I was a huge fan of them, and at the time rooted for the Cleveland Indians. 

[reddogblitz]

3 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

When I lived back home, I actually subscribed to the $20 a year subscription to stream live Bisons games. I was a huge fan of them, and at the time rooted for the Cleveland Indians. 

 

Did you ever see Dion Sanders play for the Bisons? 

[Just Jack]

Syracuse used to have a team....

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_Soldiers

 

Lasted less than one season, I think they went through three owners. Side note, I worked for them since I was on temporary lay off from work, doing the pre-game and in game music. It was actually fun, but very apparent that they were not drawing the crowds needed to sell tickets and pay the players. They played on a cheap ass AstroTurf field than was laid out over the ice for our hockey team. That was one rock hard surface.  

[Ol Dirty B]

On 5/18/2018 at 8:28 AM, ddaryl said:

 

 

LMAO.. Basketball is boring.. That was the point. All you ever have to do is tune not the last few minutes.

 

 

 

 

Nascar is go straight turn left snore fest.. There no reason to watch it at all let alone the last 4 minutes.. Same with indy care.. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

Let me guess... You love hockey though?

On 5/18/2018 at 12:58 PM, cba fan said:

What sport is boring and what sport is interesting is completely subjective.

 

Euros hate baseball and love soccor. They think baseball is boring.

Americans hate soccor and love baseball. Americans are bored out of their heads watching nothing happen for 3 hours than a lucky weird bounce goal decides some team is much better than the other.

Americans hate Hockey overall and love pro Golf and NFL. (based on tv ratings only) hockey too have too many lucky goals deciding games.

 

Basketball has some of the highest ratings in tv sports and is by far the #1 participant sport in US history. Not even that close.

Nothing wrong with you finding it boring. To each his own but you are in the minority about basketball was my point., and the statements about NBA games mostly decided in last few minutes is dead wrong, was my main point.

 

Your getting offended in this thread is as confusing as bringing soccer into it.

 

Also soccer games never go three hours and don't have commercials during play. But if you'd rather watch baseball or bud light commercials that's cool.

 

My three sports to watch are Football, football, and basketball. The only one I watch live unless I'm attending is the Football with the capital F because of commercials.

 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2018 by Ol Dirty B

[cba fan]

9 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

Your getting offended in this thread is as confusing as bringing soccer into it.

 

Also soccer games never go three hours and don't have commercials during play. But if you'd rather watch baseball or bud light commercials that's cool.

 

My three sports to watch are Football, football, and basketball. The only one I watch live unless I'm attending is the Football with the capital F because of commercials.

 

 

 

Confused? Yes I am. Offended not so much.

So you disparage baseball fans as you incorrectly surmise they like to sit through commercials?  and yet you like Football because it has commercials??

 

I was not offended just was asking for his reasons why he hated BB.

 

(before you go off and meant soccor with the capital F reference as soccor. In US, football in any print is American football. http://www.businessinsider.com/football-vs-soccer-map-2013-12 )

 

PS: those running ribbon ads around ground level of soccor matches are more than annoying.

Edited May 21, 2018 by cba fan

[4_kidd_4]

I went to a Destroyers game way back when, it was cheap fun and entertaining.

[Ol Dirty B]

On 5/21/2018 at 10:32 AM, cba fan said:

Confused? Yes I am. Offended not so much.

So you disparage baseball fans as you incorrectly surmise they like to sit through commercials?  and yet you like Football because it has commercials??

 

I was not offended just was asking for his reasons why he hated BB.

 

(before you go off and meant soccor with the capital F reference as soccor. In US, football in any print is American football. http://www.businessinsider.com/football-vs-soccer-map-2013-12 )

 

PS: those running ribbon ads around ground level of soccor matches are more than annoying.

 

No that's not what I said at all...

 

It was about NFL fans. I rarely watch a game live unless I'm there. I'd rather start it a half hour late, disconnect, and watch the game being able to skip through commercials.

 

Totally misconstrued my words. The commercials give you a break from baseball, I'm sure baseball fans love commercials.

 

Also the soccor thing? I'm not surprised your post is this idiotic. 

[cba fan]

14 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

 

No that's not what I said at all...

 

It was about NFL fans. I rarely watch a game live unless I'm there. I'd rather start it a half hour late, disconnect, and watch the game being able to skip through commercials.

 

Totally misconstrued my words. The commercials give you a break from baseball, I'm sure baseball fans love commercials.

 

Also the soccor thing? I'm not surprised your post is this idiotic. 

We might speak different languages and are lost in translation. I am more confused now. But curious. Not trying to be argumentative.

 

so you tell me my interpretation is wrong and meant baseball fans like commercials because it gives them a break from the game they love? Commercials that you hate and watch soccor, or NFL on tape delay, to avoid? 

Makes no sense. Nobody likes commercials and hardly anyone watches them. They go to concessions or kitchen or restroom or check cell phone or talk to their friends when they are on.

 

So did the cap F in Football reference you referred to mean soccor or American football?

Do you find the running ads on soccor field ground level annoying?

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2018 by cba fan

[That_Guy]

don't worry, the XFL is making a comeback!

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

2 hours ago, That_Guy said:

don't worry, the XFL is making a comeback!

I'm actually legitimately excited about this. I don't think it'll be as gimmicky as the last time. They learned from their mistakes. They're gonna cater to the good ol' boys who are boycotting the NFL, and will probably be a bit more lenient on what's allowed as far as a hit/tackle, etc. Think the NFL 15-20 years ago. Talent level won't be the same. But as long as Vince doesn't pull a USFL, and understands that he's playing second fiddle (third if you include NCAA) to the NFL for the foreseeable future, It'll be a good holdover during the NFL offseason. 

[That_Guy]

4 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

I'm actually legitimately excited about this. I don't think it'll be as gimmicky as the last time. They learned from their mistakes. They're gonna cater to the good ol' boys who are boycotting the NFL, and will probably be a bit more lenient on what's allowed as far as a hit/tackle, etc. Think the NFL 15-20 years ago. Talent level won't be the same. But as long as Vince doesn't pull a USFL, and understands that he's playing second fiddle (third if you include NCAA) to the NFL for the foreseeable future, It'll be a good holdover during the NFL offseason. 

i'm hyped for it as well.  the 1st time around, i had a plan to become a kicker in the XFL but it folded before i could get there.  now's my chance!