Arena Football Preview

In the usual prediction format, the Arena Football League (AFL) gets it's very own preview this year!

The AFL is not widely supported; Most of the league's fans come from cities with franchises.  However, the AFL deserves a shot.

If you have never attended a game, I challenge you to find your nearest AFL or af2 team and check out the talent level and the excitement of Arena Football. There is nothing like a kickoff hitting the iron on the net and your team recovering the ball at your opponent's five-yard line just after you scored not more than 30 seconds before. 

Tomorrow, the New Orleans VooDoo will take on the Los Angeles Avengers to kick off the season. Will you give it the old college try and see what the buzz is about this league?

Without further adieu, I give you the 2008 AFL predictions and preview per division.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Central Division

Chicago Rush
The Rush have bolstered up a roster that won the Arena Bowl just two seasons ago. With the additions of Sherdrick Bonner from Arizona, the AFL's version of Brett Favre, and wide out Damian Harrell, a nine-year vet of the league and the Offensive Player of the Year twice already, the Rush look poised to make another run at the Central Division championship.

Grand Rapids Rampage
Maybe I am a bit biased as to the Rampage, given that one of my best friends in the business is their defensive coordinator, but I believe in Ron Selesky and Steve Thonn at the helm. With Adrian McPhereson lining up under center for the Rhinos, Grand Rapids will be the only competition the Rush has in the division.

Colorado Crush
The Crush no longer have the threat of Damian Harrell, as he will be wearing Rush blue this season, but the Crush will have the arm of John Dutton to throw to whomever the Crush put on the field. Expect rookie Jeff Hughley to make an immediate impact. A force for the af2's league champion Tulsa Talons, Hughley will quickly help fill the shoes Harrell left.  Besides, the kicker for Colorado is Clay Rush—his jersey reads C. Rush.  How cool is that?

Kansas City Brigade
While I love Kevin Porter, one of my all-time favorite Auburn standouts and former head coach of the much respected Macon Knights of the af2, I don't see this year's team making as big of an impact as last season. With the loss of offensive coordinator Chris Siegfried, I don't feel like the Brigade will be much competition, even with Rickey Foggie coming in as the winner of the last two Assistant Coach of the Year Awards in the af2.

WESTERN DIVISION

San Jose Sabercats
If you don't know anything about the AFL, know this—never bet against San Jose. Winners of three Arena Bowls, including last season’s, the Sabercats are the class of the AFL. Mark Greib is the best quarterback of the latest century and he has Arena Football record holder Scott Rislov backing him up as Brett Elliot tries to heal. James Roe and Rodney Wright are two of the top receivers in the league as well.

Utah Blaze
The Blaze have gotten rolling and Utah has a professional team to be proud of again. AFL vet Joe Germaine has his team ready to compete with the 'Cats. When J.J. McKelvey and Aaron Boone get going, the Blaze could be a force in the American Conference.

Arizona Rattlers
With the departure of legendary quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, can the Rattlers hang on to their storied past? Does the new ownership and coaching staff want to remember the Bonner years? With Siaha Burley, you can't help but think the Rattlers are going to have a solid receiving corps as usual. As well as Ironman Jerrian James from Orlando, the Rattlers will need all the help they can give their new signal caller, whether it be Jeff Smoker or Lang Campbell.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

EASTERN DIVISION

Dallas Desperados
No arguing the fact that Dallas started last season 15-1. The problem is that when crunch time came, they folded like a tent. Clint Dolezel talked of how tough training camp was this season, mentioning how most guys fought for their job. With Josh Bush and Anthony Armstrong bulking up a great receiving corps, look for the Desperados to make another spectacular run.

Philadelphia Soul
Talk about upgrading a receiving corps. Just the addition of Chris Jackson make the Soul instant division contenders. And in case you didn't know, Jackson and current signal caller Tony Graziani hooked up 117 times in 2003 while both were with the L.A. Avengers for 48 scores. Philly has a legit shot for the first time in the Bon Jovi world.

Columbus Destroyers
Arena Bowl runners up last season, however unlikely it was, the Destroyers proved everyone wrong. This season, they won't come as a surprise, because most intelligent Arena Football guys think they will struggle. And they will.  Former Buckeye QB Justin Zwick is back in the league, but Perry Patterson will get the nod opening day.

Cleveland Gladiators
That's right, fans. Cleveland is back. But this time the name doesn't "rock".  But the quarterback does. Cleveland head coach Mike Wilhoit coaxed Raymond Philyaw into reuniting with him in Ohio and starting the franchise over. Andy McCullough and Cornelius Bonner give Philyaw great targets to hit. I'm worried about the defense.

New York Dragons
The Dragons don't have Yankees money. Heck, they ain't got Mets money. Therefore the team suffers every season. With a herd of former af2 vets including both 2007 Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, QB Ryan Vena and DB Levy Brown, the Dragons hope the class of the af2 will help with the struggles the Dragons have known recently. 

SOUTHERN DIVISION

Georgia Force
In a watered-down Southern division this season, Georgia looks to be the favorite, despite losing two top receivers to free agency.  However, Troy Bergeron returns with nobody with any arena experience to help. Chris Greisen will have to man up to win this season.

New Orleans VooDoo
The VooDoo traded for Chris Horn from the Philadelphia Soul and in turn received a deep threat that Steve Bellisari can use. Along with receiver James Jordan, the VooDoo will have a great offense, but can  the inexperience in the defensive backfield be overcome before the season gets out of hand?

Tampa Bay Storm
Who would have ever thought that the next two teams would be in the bottom of their divisions? The Storm with quarterback Brett Dietz have a long way to come this season. Lawrence Samuels and Sedrick Robinson should provide good targets for Deitz, but the offensive line is a question as well as a backup quarterback.

Orlando Predators
First, I must say that it is funny that Shane Stafford made the trek across I-4 just to play for his old team's arch rival. Stafford has a lot to live up to this season, and I don't see much for the Preds. Kenny McEntyre is back in a Preds uniform after a season in KC, but that's not going to make the secondary worth paying to watch. No receivers that stand out. The defensive line is just average. I hope that Jay Gruden turns it around, but I don't see it this year.

 ARENA BOWL CHAMPIONS: Dallas Desperados