Cage Match

The cage match between the NFL owners and the players' union might result in a lockout today, but the action in the arena is just getting started! The AFL season gets underway tonight with an in-state duel between the Philadelphia Soul and the Pittsburgh Power. The only ProUtes in the arena can be found in-state playing for the Utah Blaze. They are Jason Boone (OL), Tommy Grady (QB), and Gabe Long (DL). Corey Dodds (LB) is set to begin the season on injured reserve. The Blaze will play their season opener at home against the Tampa Bay Storm on March 17th.

Utah Man in the Arena

Arena Football returns to action tonight, but I have to say I'm not as excited to follow the Utah Blaze now that I can no longer find Jason Boone or Derrek Richards on the roster. The only connection to the University of Utah on the team is Brett Elliott, the quarterback who lost his starting spot to Alex Smith due to injury. Elliott then transferred to Linfield, a Div. III school where he excelled, winning a national championship and setting all kinds of records. He signed with the San Diego Chargers as a free agent, then joined the AFL. Now that the league is back Elliott is back in Utah.

Tommy Grady, a qb who did not enjoy similar success after transferring from Oklahoma to Utah, returns to his roots as a member of the Oklahoma City Yard Dogz.

The player I'm most excited to see back on the field is Steve Fifita, one of the heroes of the Fiesta Bowl. Fifita spent a couple of years with the Miami Dolphins but didn't have the size for the NFL. He does have a non-stop motor, which may be a better fit for Arena Football anyhow! He plays for the Alabama Vipers.

One player who will not be returning with the revived AFL is Phil Glover, but that's probably for the best. Some guys don't know when to walk away from the game while they still can!